Lùjiāfúyīn 2

1 Dāng nàxiē rìzi , Gāisǎyàgǔshìdū yǒu zhǐ xià lái , jiào tiān xià rénmín dōu bàomíng shàng cè .

2 Zhè shì Jūlǐniǔ zuò Xìlìyà xúnfǔ de shíhou , tóu yī cì xíng bàomíng shàng cè de shì .

3 Zhòngrén gè guī gè chéng , bàomíng shàng cè .

4 Yūesè yĕ cóng Jiālìlì de Násǎlè chéng shàng Yóutaì qù , dào le Dàwèi de chéng , míng jiào Bólìhéng , yīn tā bĕn shì Dàwèi yī zú yī jiā de rén .

5 Yào hé tā suǒ pìn zhī qī Mǎlìyà , yītóng bàomíng shàng cè . nàshí Mǎlìyà de shēnyùn yǐjing zhòng le .

6 Tāmen zaì nàli de shíhou , Mǎlìyà de chǎnqī dào le .

7 Jiù shēng le tóutāi de érzi , yòng bù bāo qǐlai , fàng zaì mǎcaó lǐ , yīnwei kèdiàn lǐ méiyǒu dìfang .

8 Zaì Bólìhéng zhī yĕdì lǐ yǒu mù yáng rén , yè jiān àn zhe gèng cì kānshǒu yáng qún .

9 Yǒu zhǔ de shǐzhĕ zhàn zaì tāmen pángbiān , zhǔ de róngguāng sìmiàn zhào zhe tāmen . mù yáng de rén jiù shèn jùpà .

10 Nà tiānshǐ duì tāmen shuō , búyào jùpà , wǒ bào gĕi nǐmen dà xǐ de xìnxī , shì guān hū wàn mín de .

11 Yīn jīntiān zaì Dàwèi de chéng lǐ , wèi nǐmen shēng le jiù zhǔ , jiù shì zhǔ Jīdū .

12 Nǐmen yào kànjian yī ge yīnghái , bāo zhe bù , wò zaì mǎcaó lǐ , nà jiù shì jìhào le .

13 Hūrán yǒu yī dà duì tiān bīng , tóng nà tiānshǐ zànmĕi shén shuō ,

14 Zaì zhìgāo zhī chù róngyào guīyǔ shén , zaì dì shang píngān guīyǔ tā suǒ xǐyuè de rén . ( yǒu gǔ juàn zuò xǐyuè guīyǔ rén ) .

15 Zhòng tiānshǐ líkāi tāmen shēng tiān qù le , mù yáng de rén bǐcǐ shuō , wǒmen wǎng Bólìhéng qù , kàn kan suǒ chéng de shì , jiù shì zhǔ suǒ zhǐshì wǒmen de .

16 Tāmen jímáng qù le , jiù xún jiàn Mǎlìyà hé Yūesè , yòu yǒu nà yīnghái wò zaì mǎcaó lǐ .

17 Jìrán kànjian , jiù bǎ tiānshǐ lùn zhè háizi de huà chuán kāi le .

18 Fán tīngjian de , jiù chàyì mù yáng rén duì tāmen suǒ shuō de huà .

19 Mǎlìyà què bǎ zhè yīqiè shì cún zaì xīnli , fǎnfù sīxiǎng .

20 Mù yáng de rén huí qù le , yīn suǒ tīngjian suǒ kànjian de yīqiè shì , zhèng rú tiānshǐ xiàng tāmen suǒ shuō de , jiù guī róngyào yǔ shén , zànmĕi tā .

21 Mǎn le bā tiān , jiù gĕi háizi xíng gēlǐ , yǔ tā qǐmíng jiào yē sū , zhè jiù shì méiyǒu chéng tāi yǐqián , tiānshǐ suǒ qǐ de míng .

22 Àn Móxī lǜfǎ mǎn le jiéjìng rìzi , tāmen daì zhe háizi shang Yēlùsǎlĕng qù , yào bǎ tā xiàn yǔ zhǔ .

23 ( zhèng rú zhǔ de lǜfǎ shang suǒ jì , fán tóushēng de nánzǐ , bì chēng shèng guī zhǔ . )

24 Yòu yào zhào zhǔ de lǜfǎ shang suǒ shuō , huò yòng yī duì bān jiū , huò yòng liǎng zhǐ chú gē xiànjì .

25 Zaì Yēlùsǎlĕng yǒu yī gèrén míng jiào Xīmiàn , zhè rén yòu gōngyì yòu qiánchéng , sùcháng pànwàng Yǐsèliè de ānwèi zhĕ lái dào , yòu yǒu Shènglíng zaì tā shēnshang .

26 Tā dé le Shènglíng de qǐshì , zhīdào zìjǐ wèi sǐ yǐqián , bì kànjian zhǔ suǒ lì de Jīdū .

27 Tā shòu le Shènglíng de gǎndòng , jìnrù shèng diàn . zhèng yùjiàn Yēsū de fùmǔ bào zhe háizi jìnlái , yào zhào lǜfǎ de guīju bànlǐ .

28 Xī miàn jiù yòng shǒu jiē guò tā lái , chēngsòng shén shuō ,

29 Zhǔ a , rújīn kĕyǐ zhào nǐde huà , shìfàng púrén ānrán qùshì .

30 Yīnwei wǒde yǎnjing yǐjing kànjian nǐde jiùēn .

31 Jiù shì nǐ zaì wàn mín miànqián suǒ yùbeì de .

32 Shì zhàoliàng waìbāngrén de guāng , yòu shì nǐ mín Yǐsèliè de róngyào .

33 Háizi de fùmǔ , yīn zhè lùn Yēsū de huà jiù xīqí .

34 Xī miàn gĕi tāmen zhùfú ,

35 Yòu duì háizi de mǔqin Mǎlìyà shuō , zhè háizi beì lì , shì yào jiào Yǐsèliè zhōng xǔduō rén diēdǎo , xǔduō rén xīngqǐ . yòu yào zuò huǐbàng de huàbǐng . jiào xǔduō rén xīnli de yìniàn xiǎnlù chūlai . nǐ zìjǐ de xīn yĕ yào beì dāo cī tòu .

36 Yòu yǒu nǚ xiānzhī míng jiào Yàná , shì Yàshè zhīpaì Fǎneìlì de nǚér , niánjì yǐjing lǎomaì , cóng zuò tóngnǚ chūjià de shíhou , tóng zhàngfu zhù le qī nián , jiù guǎ jū le .

37 Xiànzaì yǐjing bā shí sì suì , ( huò zuò jiù guǎ jū le bā shí sì nián ) bìng bù líkāi shèng diàn , jìnshí qíqiú , zhòuyè shìfèng shén .

38 Zhèngdāng nàshí , tā jìnlái chēngxiè shén , jiāng háizi de shì , duì yīqiè pànwàng Yēlùsǎlĕng déjiù shú de rén jiǎng shuō .

39 Yūesè hé Mǎlìyà , zhào zhǔ de lǜfǎ , bàn wán le yīqiè de shì , jiù huí Jiālìlì , dào zìjǐ de chéng Násǎlè qù le .

40 Háizi jiànjiàn zhǎngdà , qiáng jiàn qǐlai , chōngmǎn zhìhuì . yòu yǒu shén de ēn zaì tā shēnshang .

41 Mĕi nián dào Yúyuèjié , tā fùmǔ jiù shàng Yēlùsǎlĕng qù .

42 Dāng tā shí èr suì de shíhou , tāmen àn zhe jiéqī de guīju shang qù .

43 Shǒu mǎn le jiéqī , tāmen huí qù , háitóng de Yēsū réngjiù zaì Yēlùsǎlĕng . tāde fùmǔ bìng bú4 zhīdào .

44 Yǐwéi tā zaì tóngxíng de rén zhōngjiān , zǒu le yī tiān de lùchéng , jiù zaì qīnzú hé shúshi de rén zhōng zhǎo tā .

45 Jì zhǎo bu zhe , jiù huí Yēlùsǎlĕng qù zhǎo tā .

46 Guò le sān tiān , jiù yùjiàn tā zaì diàn lǐ , zuò zaì jiào shī zhōngjiān , yī miàn tīng , yī miàn wèn .

47 Fán tīngjian tāde , dōu xīqí tāde cōngming , hé tāde yìngduì .

48 Tā fùmǔ kànjian jiù hĕn xīqí . tā mǔqin duì tā shuō , wǒ ér , wèishénme xiàng wǒmen zhèyàng xíng ne . kàn nǎ , nǐ fùqin hé wǒ shāngxīn lái zhǎo nǐ .

49 Yēsū shuō , wèishénme zhǎo wǒ ne . qǐbù zhī wǒ yīngdāng yǐ wǒ fù de shì wéi niàn ma . ( huò zuò qǐbù zhī wǒ yīngdāng zaì wǒ fù de jiā lǐ ma )

50 Tā suǒ shuō de zhè huà , tāmen bù míngbai .

51 Tā jiù tóng tāmen xià qù , huí dào Násǎlè . bìngqiĕ shùncóng tāmen . tā mǔqin bǎ zhè yīqiè de shì dōu cún zaì xīnli .

52 Yēsū de zhìhuì hé shēnliang , ( shēnliang huò zuò niánjì ) bìng shén hé rén xǐaì tāde xīn , dōu yī qí zēngzhǎng .

Lùjiāfúyīn 2 Commentary

Chapter 2

The birth of Christ. (1-7) It is made known to the shepherds. (8-20) Christ presented in the temple. (21-24) Simeon prophesies concerning Jesus. (25-35) Anna prophesies concerning him. (36-40) Christ with the learned men in the temple. (41-52)

Verses 1-7 The fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law. The circumstances of his birth were very mean. Christ was born at an inn; he came into the world to sojourn here for awhile, as at an inn, and to teach us to do likewise. We are become by sin like an outcast infant, helpless and forlorn; and such a one was Christ. He well knew how unwilling we are to be meanly lodged, clothed, or fed; how we desire to have our children decorated and indulged; how apt the poor are to envy the rich, and how prone the rich to disdain the poor. But when we by faith view the Son of God being made man and lying in a manger, our vanity, ambition, and envy are checked. We cannot, with this object rightly before us, seek great things for ourselves or our children.

Verses 8-20 Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were in the business of their calling, keeping watch over their flock. We are not out of the way of Divine visits, when we are employed in an honest calling, and abide with God in it. Let God have the honour of this work; Glory to God in the highest. God's good-will to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, redounds to his praise. Other works of God are for his glory, but the redemption of the world is for his glory in the highest. God's goodwill in sending the Messiah, brought peace into this lower world. Peace is here put for all that good which flows to us from Christ's taking our nature upon him. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels, and well worthy of all acceptation, That the good-will of God toward men, is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth. The shepherds lost no time, but came with haste to the place. They were satisfied, and made known abroad concerning this child, that he was the Saviour, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and thought upon all these things, which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We should be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice, did we more fully ponder these things in our hearts. It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord. These should be glad tidings to all.

Verses 21-24 Our Lord Jesus was not born in sin, and did not need that mortification of a corrupt nature, or that renewal unto holiness, which were signified by circumcision. This ordinance was, in his case, a pledge of his future perfect obedience to the whole law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even unto death for us. At the end of forty days, Mary went up to the temple to offer the appointed sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also presented the holy child Jesus, because, as a first-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord, and redeemed according to the law. Let us present our children to the Lord who gave them to us, beseeching him to redeem them from sin and death, and make them holy to himself.

Verses 25-35 The same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon's hope, provided for his joy. Those who would see Christ must go to his temple. Here is a confession of his faith, that this Child in his arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself, the salvation of God's appointing. He bids farewell to this world. How poor does this world look to one that has Christ in his arms, and salvation in his view! See here, how comfortable is the death of a good man; he departs in peace with God, peace with his own conscience, in peace with death. Those that have welcomed Christ, may welcome death. Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things which were spoken of this Child. Simeon shows them likewise, what reason they had to rejoice with trembling. And Jesus, his doctrine, and people, are still spoken against; his truth and holiness are still denied and blasphemed; his preached word is still the touchstone of men's characters. The secret good affections in the minds of some, will be revealed by their embracing Christ; the secret corruptions of others will be revealed by their enmity to Christ. Men will be judged by the thoughts of their hearts concerning Christ. He shall be a suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with him, because of the nearness of her relation and affection.

Verses 36-40 There was much evil then in the church, yet God left not himself without witness. Anna always dwelt in, or at least attended at, the temple. She was always in a praying spirit; gave herself to prayer, and in all things she served God. Those to whom Christ is made known, have great reason to thank the Lord. She taught others concerning him. Let the example of the venerable saints, Simeon and Anna, give courage to those whose hoary heads are, like theirs, a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. The lips soon to be silent in the grave, should be showing forth the praises of the Redeemer. In all things it became Christ to be made like unto his brethren, therefore he passed through infancy and childhood as other children, yet without sin, and with manifest proofs of the Divine nature in him. By the Spirit of God all his faculties performed their offices in a manner not seen in any one else. Other children have foolishness bound in their hearts, which appears in what they say or do, but he was filled with wisdom, by the influence of the Holy Ghost; every thing he said and did, was wisely said and wisely done, above his years. Other children show the corruption of their nature; nothing but the grace of God was upon him.

Verses 41-52 It is for the honour of Christ that children should attend on public worship. His parents did not return till they had stayed all the seven days of the feast. It is well to stay to the end of an ordinance, as becomes those who say, It is good to be here. Those that have lost their comforts in Christ, and the evidences of their having a part in him, must bethink themselves where, and when, and how they lost them, and must turn back again. Those that would recover their lost acquaintance with Christ, must go to the place in which he has put his name; there they may hope to meet him. They found him in some part of the temple, where the doctors of the law kept their schools; he was sitting there, hearkening to their instructions, proposing questions, and answering inquiries, with such wisdom, that those who heard were delighted with him. Young persons should seek the knowledge of Divine truth, attend the ministry of the gospel, and ask such questions of their elders and teachers as may tend to increase their knowledge. Those who seek Christ in sorrow, shall find him with the greater joy. Know ye not that I ought to be in my Father's house; at my Father's work; I must be about my Father's business. Herein is an example; for it becomes the children of God, in conformity to Christ, to attend their heavenly Father's business, and make all other concerns give way to it. Though he was the Son of God, yet he was subject to his earthly parents; how then will the foolish and weak sons of men answer it, who are disobedient to their parents? However we may neglect men's sayings, because they are obscure, yet we must not think so of God's sayings. That which at first is dark, may afterwards become plain and easy. The greatest and wisest, those most eminent, may learn of this admirable and Divine Child, that it is the truest greatness of soul to know our own place and office; to deny ourselves amusements and pleasures not consistent with our state and calling.