1 And it came to pass, in those days a decree i went out from Caesar ii Augustus to register all the inhabited world. iii 2 This registration iv first happened while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, each unto his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family v of David, 5 to be registered with Mariam, his betrothed wife, who was pregnant. vi 6 And it happened, while they were there, the days for her to give birth were fulfilled. 7 And she bore her firstborn son, and wrapped him in cloths, and laid him in the stall, vii because there was no place for them in the guest room. viii
8 And there were shepherds ix in the same area living out in the fields x and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 And behold, a messenger of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord xi shone around them, and they feared greatly. 10 And the messenger said to them, “Do not fear, for behold, I bring you good news xii - great joy which will be to all people. xiii 11 For there was born to you today xiv a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. xv 12 And this is the sign for you: You shall find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a stall.”
13 And suddenly there was with the messenger a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory in the highest to God, and on earth peace, goodwill xvi toward men!”
15 So it was, when the messengers went from them into heaven, that the men, xvii the shepherds, said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened that the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came in haste and found Mariam and Joseph, and the babe lying in the stall. 17 And when they saw, they made widely xviii known concerning the word that was told them concerning this child. 18 And all those who heard marveled at what was spoken to them by the shepherds. 19 And Mariam kept all these things, pondering it in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all that they heard and saw, just as it was told to them.
21 And when eight days were fulfilled for his xix circumcision, his name was called Joshua, what he was called by the messenger before xx he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of their xxi purification were fulfilled according to the law of Moses, xxii they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), xxiii 24 and to give an offering according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” xxiv
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Sumeon, xxv and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comfort xxvi of Israel, xxvii and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the child Joshua to do with him according to the custom of the law xxviii concerning him, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Now your servant is departing xxix in peace, Lord, xxx according to your word. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation 31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 a light xxxi unto revelation for the nations, xxxii and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and his mother marveled xxxiii at the things being spoken about him. 34 And Sumeon xxxiv blessed them and said to Mariam his mother, “Behold, this one is appointed xxxv for the fall xxxvi and rise xxxvii of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against xxxviii 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts might be revealed. xxxix
36 And there was Anna, a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, xl of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in many days, having lived seven years with a husband from her virginity. 37 And she was a widow of about xli eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, in fastings and prayers serving night and day. 38 And in the same hour she drew near thanking the Lord, and spoke about him to all who were waiting for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And after xlii they had finished all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth. 40 And the child was growing and becoming strong xliii in spirit, filled with wisdom xliv and the grace of God was upon him. xlv
41 And his parents were going to Jerusalem every year for the Passover feast. 42 And when he was twelve years old, xlvi they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had finished the days, when they returned, the boy Joshua remained in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother did not know it. 44 But, supposing him to be in the caravan, they went a day’s journey, and sought him among the relatives and the acquaintances. 45 And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And so it was, after three days they found him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. xlvii 47 And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed, and his mother said to him, “Child, xlviii why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have been anxiously xlix looking for you.”
49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know l that I must be in the things of my Father?” li 50 And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Joshua increased in wisdom lii and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Translated by Darwin Fish. See original pdf. liii
- δογμα (dogma) - “decree” - see also footnote for Acts 16:4. The decree was that the entire world is to be registered. It does not say that the entire world was registered. ^
- καισαρος (kaisaros) - “Caesar” ^
- οικουμενην (oikoumenan) - “inhabited world” - used also in Matthew 24:14; Luke 4:5; 21:26; Acts 11:28; 17:6, 31; 19:27; 24:5; Romans 10:18; Hebrews 1:6; 2:5; Revelation 3:10; 12:9; 16:14. There is also “world.” See Matthew 4:8. ^
- απογραφη (apographa) - “registration” - This is the noun form of the word for “to be registered” (απογραφεσθαι, apographesthai) in verse 1. ^
- πατριας (patrias) - “family” - used also in Acts 3:25 (NKJV “families”) and Ephesians 3:15 (NKJV “family”). ^
- εγκυω (egkuô) - “pregnant” - used only here. ^
- φατνη (phatnê) - “stall” - used also in Luke 2:12, 16; and 13:15. Also in LXX it is found in Isaiah 1:3 (NKJV “crib”) and Habakkuk 3:17 (NKJV “stalls”). ^
- καταλυματι (katalumati) - “guest room” - used also in Mark 14:14 (“guest room”); Luke 22:11 (“guest room”). In Luke 10:34 (only found here) the word πανδοχειον (pandokeion) is used for “inn” (KJV, NKJV, NAS, NIV). ^
- Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21 ^
- αγραυλουντες (agraulountes) - “living out in the fields,” or “living outside” ^
- “the glory of the Lord” - this indicates not just a messenger, but the Lord Himself was there. ^
- ευαγγελιζομαι (euangelizomai) - “I bring . . . good news” - This is the same root word as is translated “preached the gospel” (NKJV) in Luke 20:1; 1 Peter 1:12. ^
- “great joy which will be to all people” - But not all (i.e. the wicked) have had great joy over this. How can this be true? Because it is good news. It is a great joy to all people. Sadly, most do not take advantage of this great joy and mercy of God toward them. ^
- This happened the same day Christ was born. ^
- 1 Chronicles 11:4-7 ^
- John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8 (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 12:27) ^
- οι ανθρωποι (hoi anthrôpoi) - “the men” - Although the Majority and Received Texts have these words, the KJV and NKJV do not translate them. The Critical Text does not have these words. ^
- διεγνωρισαν (diegnôrisan) - “made widely known” - Critical Text εγνωρισαν (egnôrisan) “made known.” ^
- αυτον (auton) - “his” for a split Majority Text. παιδιον (paidion) “child” in the Received Text and a partial Majority. ^
- Luke 1:26-27, 31 ^
- αυτων (autôn) - “their” - KJV and NKJV both have “her.” NAS and NIV have “their.” The Majority and Critical Text have αυτων (“their”). The Received Text has αυτης (autês) “her.” ^
- Leviticus 12:1-4 ^
- Exodus 13:2, 11-16; 34:19 - What is written in the OT is not the same exact wording as is found here in the NT. ^
- Leviticus 12:8 ^
- συμεων (sumeôn) - “Sumeon” - For more on this name see the footnote for Genesis 29:33. ^
- παρακλησιν (paraklêsin) - “comfort” - KJV, NKJV, NAS, NIV “consulation” - This word is also found in Luke 6:24; Acts 4:36 (NKJV “Encouragement”); 9:31; 13:15 (NKJV “exhortation”); 15:31 (NKJV “encouragement”); Romans 12:8 (“exhortation”); 15:4-5; 1 Corinthians 14:3 (NKJV “exhortation” [παραμυθιαν, paramuthian, “comfort”]; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; 7:4, 7, 13; 8:4 (NKJV “urgency”), 17 (NKJV “exhortation”); Philippians 2:1 [παραμυθιον, paramuthion, NKJV “comfort”]; 1 Thessalonians 2:3 (NKJV “exhortation”); 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Timothy 4:13 (NKJV “exhortation”); Philemon 7; Hebrews 6:18; 12:5 (NKJV “exhortation”); 13:22 (NKJV “exhortation”). ^
- “comfort of Israel” - see Psalm 119:76 [also interesting, Psalm 119:82]; Isaiah 40:1-8; 51:1-8; 61:1-3; 66:7-16; Jeremiah 31:13-14. ^
- Exodus 13:2, 11-16; 34:19 ^
- απολυεις (apolueis) present tense - “is departing” ^
- δεσποτα (despota) – found also in referrence to God in Acts 4:24; 2 Timothy 2:21 (“Master”); Jude 4; Revelation 6:10. Used for “masters” in 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18. ^
- Matthew 4:13-16; John 1:9; 3:18-21; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35-36, 46 ^
- εθνων (ethnôn) - “nations” - This same word is also translated “Gentiles” (NKJV). ^
- They were informed earlier (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-55), yet still marveled. ^
- Συμεὼν (Sumeôn) “Sumeon” - NKJV, etc. “Simeon” - see footnote for Luke 2:25. ^
- 1 Peter 1:20 ^
- Matthew 21:42-44 (Luke 20:17-18) ^
- Matthew 19:28-29 ^
- Matthew 11:19 (Luke 7:34); Mark 3:21-22; John 7:12; 8:48, 52; 10:20 (Matthew 10:24-25; John 15:20) ^
- Hebrews 4:12 (e.g. Genesis 6:5; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 10:4; 94:11 [1 Corinthians 3:20]; Proverbs 12:5; 15:26; Isaiah 55:8-9; Isaiah 59:7; 65:2; 66:18; Jeremiah 4:14; 6:19; Ezekiel 38:10; Daniel 2:29-30; Matthew 9:4; 12:25; Luke 6:8; 11:17) ^
- Φανουήλ (Phanoul) - “Phanuel” - see footnote for Genesis 32:31. ^
- ως (hôs) - “of about” - Critical Text has εως (heôs) “until.” ^
- ως (hôs) - “after” - This can be translated either “when” (NKJV) or “after.” Considering Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 it appears “after” is more appropriate. ^
- “was growing and becoming strong” - These two verbs are in the imperfect form (ηυζανεν, auxanen; εκραταιουτο, ekrataiouto). Considering the context, they are thus translated as progressive imperfect (i.e. continual past tense action). ^
- 1 Corinthians 1:24 ^
- Grace? See Romans 4:4; 11:6 depicting what grace is. Joshua tasted death by the grace of God (Hebrews 2:9) and was heard because of His godly fear (Hebrews 5:7). ^
- God in the flesh was twelve years old! ^
- This is eighteen years prior to his public ministry (Luke 3:23). ^
- τεκνον (teknon) - “Child” - NKJV “Son” - The typical word for son is υιος (uios). Used for “child” elsewhere, e.g. Luke 1:7, but also translated son, e.g. Luke 15:31. ^
- οδυνωμενοι (odunômenoi) - “anxiously” - from οδυναω (oduvaô) “cause pain.” It is found also in Luke 16:24-25 (NKJV “tormented”) and Acts 20:38 (NKJV “sorrowing”). ^
- It would appear they should have (Luke 1:26-55; Matthew 1:20-23; 2:13-22). ^
- εν τοις του πατρος μου δει ειναι με (en tois tou patros mou dei einai me) - “I must be in the things of my Father” - more literally, “in the things of my Father must to be me.” KJV & NKJV have “I must be about my Father’s business?” NAS & NIV have “I had to be in My Father’s house” (NAS italicizes “house” and gives the footnote, “lit., in the things of My Father”). ^
- Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24) increased in wisdom. See also Hebrews 5:8 and Proverbs 1:5; 9:9; 10:14; 16:23; 18:15; 19:20; 21:11. Apparently, there was a point in which Christ arrived into all wisdom (John 16:30; except Mark 13:32). ^
- Mirrored here. ^