A Savior . Another favorite word with SS . Paul and Luke. The terms "Savior" and "salvation" occur in their writings more than forty times. In the other New Testament books we seldom find either of these expressions. read more
The same country - Round about Bethlehem.Shepherds - Men who tended flocks of sheep.Abiding in the field - Remaining out of doors, under the open sky, with their flocks. This was commonly done. The climate was mild, and, to keep their flocks from straying, they spent the night with them. It is also a fact that the Jews sent out their flocks into the mountainous and desert regions during the summer months, and took them up in the latter part of October or the first of November, when the cold... read more
The glory of the Lord - This is the same as a “great” glory - that is, a splendid appearance or “light.” The word “glory” is often the same as light, 1 Corinthians 15:41; Luke 9:31; Acts 22:11. The words “Lord” and “God” are often used to denote “greatness” or “intensity.” Thus, “trees of God” mean great trees; “hills of God,” high or lofty hills, etc. So “the glory of the Lord” here means an exceedingly great or bright luminous appearance perhaps not unlike what Paul saw on the way to Damascus. read more
Luke 2:8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field Here we see, that as Abraham and David, to whom the promise of the Messiah was first made, were shepherds, so the completion of this promise was first revealed to shepherds. Keeping watch over their flocks by night Which it was necessary they should do, to guard against the wolves and other beasts of prey, common there. The original words, φυλασσοντες φυλακας της νυκτος , may be more literally rendered, watching... read more
Luke 2:9-12. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them Επεστη αυτοις , stood over them, that is, appeared in a visible form, standing in the air over their heads; and the glory of the Lord shone round about them Not only a great light, but such a glorious splendour as used to represent the presence of God, and was often attended with a host of angels, as here, Luke 2:13. And they were sore afraid At so uncommon and so awful an appearance. And the angel said In the mildest and... read more
8. Shepherds visit the stable (Luke 2:1-20)Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth in the north of Palestine (see Luke 1:26-27), but the town to which they belonged according to their ancestry was Bethlehem, the birthplace of their forefather David. When the government issued an order that all people were to return to their ancestral town for a census (probably for taxation purposes), Joseph and Mary made the journey to Bethlehem. The town was so overcrowded with travellers returning for the census... read more
country = region where David fed his father's sheep, when sent for by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:11 , 1 Samuel 16:12 ). over . Greek. epi. App-104 . read more
lo . Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ), to call attention to the wondrous event. the angel = an angel. No Art. See note on Luke 1:11 . App-179 . LORD = Jehovah ( App-98 ). came upon = stood by. Greek. ephistemi. Used eighteen times by Luke. Compare Luke 24:4 .Acts 12:7 ; Acts 23:11 . the glory: the Shekinah, which symbolized the Divine presence. See Exo 24:16 . 1 Kings 8:10 . Isaiah 6:1-3 .Acts 7:55 . were sore afraid = feared a great fear. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 .... read more
not. Greek. me. App-105 . behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . I bring you good tidings . Greek. euangelizomai = 1 evangelize (announce) to you great joy. which . Denoting the class or character of the joy. people = the People [of Israel]. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:9
The angel of the Lord came upon them ; better, an angel. The Greek word rendered "came upon them"—a very favorite word with St. Luke—suggests a sudden appearance. The glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. The white shining cloud of intolerable brightness, known among the Jews as the Shechinah, the visible token of the presence of the Eternal, in the bush, in the pillar of fire and cloud which guided the desert-wanderings, in the tabernacle and the temple. It... read more