Lucas 2

1 Y aconteció en aquellos días que salió edicto de parte de Augusto César, que toda la tierra fuera empadronada

2 Este empadronamiento primero fue hecho siendo Cirenio gobernador de Siria

3 E iban todos para ser empadronados, cada uno a su ciudad

4 Y subió José de Galilea, de la ciudad de Nazaret, a Judea, a la ciudad de David, que se llama Belén, por cuanto era de la casa y familia de David

5 Para ser empadronado con María su mujer, desposada con él, la cual estaba encinta

6 Y aconteció que estando ellos allí, se cumplieron los días de su alumbramiento

7 Y dio a luz a su hijo primogénito, y le envolvió en pañales, y le acostó en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón

8 Y había pastores en la misma tierra, que velaban y guardaban las vigilias de la noche sobre su rebaño

9 Y he aquí el ángel del Señor vino sobre ellos, y la claridad de Dios los cercó de resplandor; y tuvieron gran temor

10 Mas el ángel les dijo: No temáis; porque he aquí os doy evangelio de gran gozo, que será a todo el pueblo

11 que os es nacido hoy Salvador, que es Cristo, el Señor, en la ciudad de David

12 Y esto os será por señal: hallaréis al niño envuelto en pañales, acostado en un pesebre

13 Y repentinamente hubo con el ángel una multitud de los ejércitos celestiales, que alababan a Dios, y decían

14 Gloria en las alturas a Dios, Y en la tierra paz, y en el hombre buena voluntad

15 Y aconteció que cuando los ángeles se fueron de ellos al cielo, los pastores dijeron los unos a los otros: Pasemos pues hasta Belén, y veamos esto que ha acontecido, y el Señor nos ha mostrado

16 Y vinieron aprisa, y hallaron a María, y a José, y al niño acostado en el pesebre

17 Y viéndolo, hicieron notorio lo que les había sido dicho del niño

18 Y todos los que oyeron, se maravillaron de lo que los pastores les decían

19 Mas María guardaba todas estas cosas, meditándolas en su corazón

20 Y se volvieron los pastores glorificando y alabando a Dios de todas las cosas que habían oído y visto, como les había sido dicho

21 Y pasados los ocho días para circuncidar al niño, llamaron su nombre JESÚS; el cual le fue puesto por el ángel antes que él fuera concebido en el vientre

22 Y cuando se cumplieron los días de su purificación, conforme a la ley de Moisés, le trajeron a Jerusalén para presentarle al Señor

23 (Como está escrito en la ley del Señor: Todo varón que abriere la matriz, será santo al Señor)

24 y para dar la ofrenda, conforme a lo que está dicho en la ley del Señor: un par de tórtolas, o dos palominos

25 Y he aquí, había un hombre en Jerusalén, llamado Simeón, y este hombre, justo y pío, esperaba la consolación de Israel; y el Espíritu Santo era sobre él

26 Y había recibido respuesta del Espíritu Santo, que no vería la muerte antes que viera al Cristo del Señor

27 Y vino por el Espíritu al templo. Y cuando sus padres trajeron al niño Jesús al Templo, para hacer por él conforme a la costumbre de la ley

28 Entonces él le tomó en sus brazos, y bendijo a Dios, y dijo

29 Ahora despides, Señor, a tu siervo, Conforme a tu palabra, en paz

30 porque han visto mis ojos tu Salud

31 la cual has aparejado en presencia de todos los pueblos

32 lumbre para ser revelada a los gentiles, y la gloria de tu pueblo Israel

33 Y José y su madre estaban maravillados de las cosas que se decían de él

34 Y los bendijo Simeón, y dijo a su madre María: He aquí, éste es puesto para caída y para levantamiento de muchos en Israel; y para señal a la que será contradicho

35 (y una espada traspasará tu misma alma), para que sean manifestados los pensamientos de muchos corazones

36 Estaba también allí Ana, profetisa, hija de Fanuel, de la tribu de Aser; la cual había venido en grande edad, y había vivido con su marido siete años desde su virginidad

37 y era viuda hacía ochenta y cuatro años, que no se apartaba del Templo, sirviendo de noche y de día con ayunos y oraciones

38 Y ésta, sobreviniendo en la misma hora, juntamente confesaba al Señor, y hablaba de él a todos los que esperaban la redención en Jerusalén

39 Y cuando cumplieron todas las cosas según la ley del Señor, se volvieron a Galilea, a su ciudad de Nazaret

40 Y el niño crecía, y era confortado del Espíritu, y se llenaba de sabiduría; y la gracia de Dios era sobre él

41 E iban sus padres todos los años a Jerusalén en la fiesta de la Pascua

42 Y cuando fue de doce años, subieron ellos a Jerusalén conforme a la costumbre de la Fiesta

43 Y acabados los días, volviendo ellos, se quedó el niño Jesús en Jerusalén, sin saberlo José y su madre

44 Y pensando que estaba en la compañía, anduvieron camino de un día; y le buscaban entre los parientes y entre los conocidos

45 mas como no le hallaron, volvieron a Jerusalén buscándole

46 Y aconteció, que después de tres días le hallaron en el Templo, sentado en medio de los doctores, oyéndoles y preguntándoles

47 Y todos los que le oían, estaban fuera de sí de su entendimiento y de sus respuestas

48 Y cuando le vieron, se sorprendieron; y le dijo su madre: Hijo, ¿por qué nos has hecho así? He aquí, tu padre y yo te hemos buscado con dolor

49 Entonces él les dice: ¿Qué hay? ¿Por qué me buscabais? ¿No sabíais que en los negocios que son de mi Padre me conviene estar

50 Mas ellos no entendieron la palabra que les habló

51 Y descendió con ellos, y vino a Nazaret, y estaba sujeto a ellos. Y su madre guardaba todas estas cosas en su corazón

52 Y Jesús crecía en sabiduría, y en edad, y en gracia para con Dios y los hombres

Lucas 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.