Luke 2:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:13-14

The human and the heavenly world. The strange and elevating experience through which the shepherds of Bethlehem were passing prepared them for a scene which was fitted to awaken still greater surprise and spiritual excitement. For suddenly, all of them appearing together, a multitude of the heavenly host began to make angelic music; strains of sweetest song filled the air, and the words of that celestial chant, so exquisitely sweet, so full of comfort and of hope to our human race, were... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 2:13-14

Luke 2:13-14 . And suddenly there was with the angel, &c. The welcome news was no sooner published, than a multitude of heavenly beings were heard celebrating, in songs and hymns divine, the praises of God, on account of his unspeakable mercy and love to men; and saying, Glory to God in the highest, &c. The shouts of a multitude are generally broken into short sentences, and are commonly elliptic; which is the cause of some ambiguity in these words, which may be understood in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 2:1-20

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 2:13

heavenly host = host of heaven. So Tr. WH margin host = the Sabaioth of the O.T. Compare Daniel 8:10 . Romans 9:29 . James 5:4 .Revelation 5:11 , Revelation 5:12 . God. App-98 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 2:13

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.A multitude of the heavenly host ... A host of angels is represented in the Old Testament as forming the bodyguard of Deity (Psalms 103:21; Daniel 7:10). As Boles said, "This praise was a proclamation of the newborn King and a confirmation of the glorious tidings to the shepherds, and through them to all... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:13

13. suddenly—as if only waiting till their fellow had done. with the angel—who retires not, but is joined by others, come to seal and to celebrate the tidings he has brought. heavenly host—or "army," an army celebrating peace! [BENGEL] "transferring the occupation of their exalted station to this poor earth, which so seldom resounds with the pure praise of God" [OLSHAUSEN]; to let it be known how this event is regarded in heaven and should be regarded on earth. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 2:1-52

D. The birth and early life of Jesus ch. 2Luke followed the same pattern of events with Jesus’ birth and early life as he did for those of John. His purpose was to compare and contrast these two important individuals. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 2:5-52

II. THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS 1:5-2:52This section contains material unique in Luke. The only repeated statement occurs in Luke 2:39 and Matthew 2:23. Other unique features are the way Luke alternated the reader’s attention between John and Jesus, and the joy that several individuals expressed (Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 2:14; Luke 2:29-32). [Note: For studies of the structure of this passage, see Robert C. Tannehill, The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts , 1:15-20; R. E. Brown, The... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 2:8-20

2. The announcement to the shepherds 2:8-20There is great theological significance in this familiar passage. It comes through mainly in the angel’s words and in the symbolism of what happened."In Luke 2:8-14 we have a third annunciation scene, which follows the same pattern as the previous two: the appearance of an angel, a response of fear, the command not to fear, the announcement of a birth that brings joy. In this case, however, the announcement is not to a parent of the child to be born,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 2:13

Frequently God waits to act a long time but then acts suddenly, as here (cf. Mark 13:36; Acts 2:2; Acts 9:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:3). The sudden appearance of the other angels represents God’s sudden action in providing a Savior. The term "heavenly host" derives from the Old Testament and here refers to a band of angels (cf. 1 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 33:3; 2 Chronicles 33:5; Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 19:13; Zephaniah 1:5).". . . when a child was born the local musicians congregated at the house to... read more

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