Luke 2:13

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

Luke 2:13 in Other Translations

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

Luke 2:13 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 2:13

And suddenly there was with the angel
That brought the tidings of Christ's birth to the shepherds: a multitude of the heavenly host: who being caused to fly swiftly, were at once with him, by his side, and about him; and which was a further confirmation of the truth of his message to them: these were angels who were called an host, or army, the militia of heaven, the ministers of God, that wait upon him, and do his pleasure; and are sent forth to minister to his people, and encamp about them, preserve, and defend them; see ( Genesis 32:1 Genesis 32:2 ) These are styled an heavenly host, because they dwell in heaven; and to distinguish them from hosts and armies on earth; and said to be

a multitude,
for the angels are innumerable; there are thousands, ten thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand of them: it may be rendered "the multitude", and may intend the whole company of angels, who were all of them together to sing the praises of God, and glorify him at the birth of the incarnate Saviour, as well as to adore him; since it is said, "when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, and let all the angels of God worship him", ( Hebrews 1:6 ) , and these were

praising God;
on account of the birth of Christ, and the redemption that was to be obtained by him, for elect men; which shows their friendly disposition to them, and how much they rejoice at their spiritual and eternal welfare; see ( Luke 15:10 ) ; And thus, as at the laying of the foundation of the earth, these "morning stars sang together, and all these sons of God shouted for joy", ( Job 38:7 ) they did the same when the foundation of man's salvation was laid in the incarnation of the Son of God;

and saying,
as follows.

Luke 2:13 In-Context

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”