Luke 2:13-14 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:8-20

The Bethlehem shepherds see the angels . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:8-20

The shepherds and the herald angels. From limestone cavern, we are taken by the evangelists to the long grassy slopes which stretch to the east of the Jewish city. Hidden in some nook of these slopes rest pious shepherds. Shepherds have always been a meditative class of men, accustomed to the sweet silences of nature, and, apart from the bustle and stir of cities, invited to quiet communion with their own hearts. It would seem that these shepherds were men of the spirit of Simeon. They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:13

With the angel a multitude of the heavenly host . "The troop of angels issues forth from the depths of that invisible world which surrounds us on every side" (Godet). One of the glorious titles by which the eternal King was known among the chosen people was "Lord of sabaoth," equivalent to "Lord of hosts." In several passages of the Scriptures is the enormous multitude of these heavenly beings noticed; for instance, Psalms 68:17 , where the Hebrew is much more expressive than the English... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:14

On earth peace . At that juncture, strange to say, the Roman empire was at peace with all the world, and, as was ever the case in these brief rare moments of profound peace, the gates of the temple of Janus at Rome were closed, there being, as they supposed, no need for the presence of the god to guide and lead their conquering armies. Not a few have supposed that the angel choir in these words hymned this earthly peace. So Milton in his 'Ode to the Nativity'— "No war or battle's sound ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:14

Glory to God - Praise be to God, or honor be to God. That is, the praise of redeeming man is due to God. The plan of redemption will bring glory to God, and is designed to express his glory. This it does by evincing his love to people, his mercy, his condescension, and his regard to the honor of his law and the stability of his own government. It is the highest expression of his love and mercy. Nowhere, so far as we can see, could his glory be more strikingly exhibited than in giving his... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 2:14

Glory. Supply the Ellipsis: [be] to God. Compare Luke 19:38 . on earth peace. But man murdered "the Prince of peace", and now vainly talks about "Peace". on. Greek. epi. App-104 . earth. Greek. ge . App-124 . good will toward men. All the texts read "among men of good pleasure", reading eudokias instead of eudokia. But the sense is the same, as the "good pleasure" is that of Jehovah alone = among men of [His] good pleasure: See Luke 12:32 , "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:8-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:8-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:13-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:14

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 2:1-20

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

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 2:14

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