Luke 2:12

12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."

Luke 2:12 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 2:12

And this shall be a sign unto you
When they should come to Bethlehem, and to the inn where Joseph and Mary were:

ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a
manger;
for though there might be many other children, in the inn, yet none else in swaddling clothes, at least lying in a manger: this sign would distinguish the new born Saviour from all others; had not the angel given them this direction, they would never have thought to have looked for, and found: him in such a place: and moreover, it might have been a stumbling to them, and an objection with them against his being Christ, the Lord, had they not been told beforehand where he was; but by this means this objection was prevented, and this stumbling block was removed out of the way, and they were prepared to see him, embrace, and believe in him, in this mean condition.

Luke 2:12 In-Context

10 The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."

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

14 "Glory to God in the highest, On earth peace, good will toward men."