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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 2:1-7

The fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law; and it was foretold that he should be born at Bethlehem. Now here we have an account of the time, place, and manner of it. I. The time when our Lord Jesus was born. Several things may be gathered out of these verses which intimate to us that it was the proper time. 1. He was born at the time when the fourth monarchy was in its height, just when it was become, more than any of the three... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 2:1-7

2:1-7 In these days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of all the world. The census first took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria; and everyone went to enroll himself, each man to his own town. So Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judaea, to David's town, which is called Bethlehem, because he belonged to the house and the line of David, to enrol himself with Mary who was betrothed to him and she was with child. When they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:4

And Joseph also went up from Galilee ,.... Where he now lived, and worked at the trade of a carpenter; having for some reasons, and by one providence or another, removed hither from his native place: out of the city of Nazareth; which was in Galilee, where he and Mary lived; and where he had espoused her, and she had conceived of the Holy Ghost: into Judea; which lay higher than Galilee, and therefore he is said to go up to it: unto the city of David; not what was built by him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:5

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife ,.... Whom also he had married, though he had not known her in a carnal way; she came along with him to be taxed and enrolled also, because she was of the same family of David, and belonged to the same city: being great with child; very near her time, and yet, though in such circumstances, was obliged by this edict, to come to Bethlehem; and the providence in it was, that she might give birth there, and so the prophecy in Micah 5:2 have its... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:6

And so it was, that while they were there ,.... At Bethlehem, waiting to be called and enrolled in their turn, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered; her reckoning was up, the nine months of her going with child were ended, and her full time to bring forth was come. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:5

With Mary his espoused wife - There was no necessity for Mary to have gone to Bethlehem, as Joseph's presence could have answered the end proposed in the census as well without Mary as with her; but God so ordered it, that the prophecy of Micah should be thus fulfilled, and that Jesus should be born in the city of David; Micah 5:2 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:1-7

The birthplace and the birth. Two travelers, coming up from Galilee, approach the city of David. The knowledge they possessed of the event in which the glories of David's house were to culminate must have invested every feature with a peculiar sacredness of interest. Note Dean Stanley's description of Bethlehem, on the crest of a ridge of black hills terraced with vineyards. As beheld by Joseph and Mary, what a stream of patriotic memories, mixed with the inspirations which spring from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:1-20

The Savior's birth and type angel's sermon. We now pass from the person of the forerunner to that of his greater Successor. The priest's son was great, but the Virgin's Son was greater. John was a great gift to the world, as every true reformer must be; but a Savior is God's supreme Gift to the children of men. Now, in this narrative before us we learn— I. HOW THE WILL OF EVEN HEATHEN MONARCHS IS MADE TO FULFIL THE WILL OF GOD . The Divine will, expressed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:4

The city of David, which is called Bethlehem . After all the long ages which had passed, still the chief title to honor of the little upland village was that there the greatly loved king had been born. Bethlehem ("house of bread") was built on the site of the old Ephrath—the Ephrath where Rachel died. Of the house and lineage of David . The position in life of Joseph the royally descended, simply a village carpenter, the equally humble state of Mary, also one of the great king's posterity,... read more

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