Luke 2:13

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:1-52

Birth and Childhood of Jesus1-5. The census of Quirinius. There are two historical difficulties in connexion with St. Luke’s mention of the census of Quirinius: (1) There is no direct evidence, except St. Luke’s statement, that Augustus (31 b.c.-14 a.d.) ever held a census of the whole Roman empire. (2) Quirinius was not governor of Syria at the time of our Lord’s birth (about 7 or 6 b.c.), but either Sentius Saturninus (9-6 b.c.), or Quinctilius Varus (6-4 b.c.).As to (1), the absence of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 2:13

(13) A multitude of the heavenly host.—The phrase, or its equivalent, “the host of heaven,” is common in the later books of the Old Testament, but is there used as including the visible “hosts” of sun, moon, and stars, which were worshipped by Israel (Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 19:13; 2 Chronicles 33:3). In this sense we find it in St. Stephen’s speech (Acts 7:42). Here it is obviously used of the angels of God as forming the armies of the great King. The great name of the Lord of Hosts, the Lord... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Luke 2:1-52

The Love of the Cradle (For Christmas Day) Luke 2:7 The Church has ever held that in all the estate of His Humiliation in the whole sad three and thirty years of His earthly life, our Lord offered up an atoning sacrifice. He suffered life as well as death for us. But a great saint and doctor has well reminded us that we are ready to be so dazzled by the love of the Cross that we often forget the love of the Cradle. We forget that our Lord endured the weakness of death and the weakness of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Luke 2:8-21

Chapter 5THE ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS.Luke 2:8-21THE Gospel of St. Mark omits entirely the Nativity, passing at once to the words and miracles of His public ministry. St. John, too, dismisses the Advent and the earlier years of the Divine Life with one solitary phrase, how the Word, which in the beginning was with God and was God, "became flesh and dwelt among us". {John 1:14} St. Luke, however, whose Gospel is the Gospel of the Humanity, lingers reverently over the Nativity, throwing a... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Luke 2:1-52

CHAPTER 2 1. The Birth of Christ at Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7 ) 2. The Glad Tidings Announced to the Shepherds. (Luke 2:8-20 ) 3. The Circumcision and Presentation (Luke 2:21-24 ) 4. Simeon and His Prophecy (Luke 2:25-35 ) 5. Anna the Prophetess (Luke 2:36-38 ) 6. In Nazareth (Luke 2:39-40 ) 7. In the Temple (Luke 2:41-51 ) 8. The Increase (Luke 2:52 .) Luke 2:1-7 The appointed time (Galatians 4:4 ) had come. According to prophecy the Saviour had to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 ). But... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Luke 2:13

2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel {f} a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,(f) Whole armies of angels, who compass the majesty of God round about, just as soldiers, as it were. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:1-52

THE BIRTH OF THE LORD JESUS (vs.1-7) God in His sovereign wisdom and power at this time ordered the events of man's government to accomplish His own will. Caesar Augustus decreed that all the world (the Roman Empire) should be enrolled for the purpose of census taking. It is noted in a parenthesis that this census was actually taken when Cyrenius was governor of Syria, which was at least six years later. Of course it was not known that it would be this long delayed, but this was the means... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Luke 2:1-52

THE EARLY YEARS OF JESUS There is a preface to Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4 ). While Matthew and Mark tell us of whom they write (Matthew 1:1 ; Mark 1:1 ), Luke and John tell us why they write (compare John 20:31 ). Luke wrote for the instruction of Theophilus (compare Acts 1-2) whose name indicates that he was a Greek, while “most excellent” suggests that he may have been of high rank. There were many records of our Lord (Luke 1:1 ), received from eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2 ), but Luke “had... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Luke 2:1-52

The World's Need Luk 2:11 This is just what the world wanted. This is just what the world always wants. The world wants this not the less that it is in some instances not aware of the necessity. What does a drowning man want? A lecture on natation? That would be exceedingly profitable to a man who was drowning! Tell him how to use his right arm, and his left, and his lower limbs; remark on the gracefulness of his action. All this would be exceedingly gratifying to a man who is struggling for... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Luke 2:8-14

(8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. (10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (11) For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (12) And this shall be a sign unto... read more

Group of Brands