Luke 2:15-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 2:8-20

The meanest circumstances of Christ's humiliation were all along attended with some discoveries of his glory, to balance them, and take off the offence of them; for even when he humbled himself God did in some measure exalt him and give him earnests of his future exaltation. When we saw him wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, we were tempted to say, ?Surely this cannot be the Son of God.? But see his birth attended, as it is here, with a choir of angels, and we shall say,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 2:8-20

2:8-20 In this country there were shepherds who were in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were much afraid. The angel said to them. "Do not be afraid; for--look you--I am bringing you good news of great joy, which will be to every people, for today a Saviour has been born for you, in David's town, who is Christ the Lord. You will recognize him by this sign. You will find the babe... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:15

And it came to pass, as the angels ,.... The Persic version reads in the singular number, "the angel: were gone away from them into heaven", from whence they came, and which was the place of their abode and residence; and therefore they are called the angels of heaven, where they always behold the face of God, hearken to the voice of his commandment, and go and come at his orders; and these having finished their embassy, delivered their message to the shepherds, and done all the work they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:16

And they came with haste ,.... In the night, leaving their flocks, to see their incarnate Lord, as Zacchaeus hastened down from the tree to receive the Saviour. The wonderfulness of the vision, the importance of the thing related, the eagerness of their spirits to see the thing that was told them, put them on making quick dispatch, and hastening to the city with all speed: and found Mary and Joseph ; as they had been directed by the angel, in the city of Bethlehem, in an inn there, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:17

And when they had seen it ,.... Or "him", as the Arabic version reads, the child Jesus, or "them", Joseph, Mary, and the child; or this whole affair, as had been related to them: they made known abroad; not only in the inn, and among all the people there but throughout the city of Bethlehem, the saying which was told them concerning this child : both what the angel had told them concerning his birth, and what he was, and where he lay; and what Mary had told them concerning the notice... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:18

And all they that heard it ,.... What the shepherds related of what they had heard from the angel, and from Joseph and Mary, and what they had seen themselves, wondered at those things that were told them by the shepherds : for though they expected the Messiah, and that he would be born at Bethlehem, yet they did not imagine that he would be born of such mean parents, and appear in such mean circumstances, and in so contemptible a place; and that shepherds, and not the princes of Israel,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things ,.... Which the shepherds had related to her: and pondered them in her heart ; or compared them in her mind, with what had been said to herself by the angel, and also by her husband, as well as what was said by Elisabeth at the time she made her a visit; but she said nothing of them to others, lest she should be thought an enthusiast, or a vain boaster; and therefore left things, till time should make a discovery of them in a proper way, and in the best... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:20

And the shepherds returned ,.... From Bethlehem, to the fields, and to their flock there, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard; from Joseph and Mary: and seen ; as the babe lying in the manger: as it was told unto them ; by the angel: they glorified God on account of the birth of the Messiah; and praised him, wondering at his grace, and the high honour put upon them, that they should be acquainted with it; and that there was such an exact agreement... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:15

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem - Διελθωμεν , let us go across the country at the nearest, that we may lose no time, that we may speedily see this glorious reconciler of God and man. All delays are dangerous: but he who delays to seek Jesus, when the angels, the messengers of God, bring him glad tidings of salvation, risks his present safety and his eternal happiness. O, what would the damned in hell give for those moments in which the living hear of salvation, had they the same... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:17

They made known abroad the saying - These shepherds were the first preachers of the Gospel of Christ: and what was their text? Why, Glory to God in the highest heavens, and on earth peace and good will among men. This is the elegant and energetic saying which comprises the sum and substance of the Gospel of God. This, and this only, is the message which all Christ's true pastors or shepherds bring to men. He who, while he professes the religion of Christ, disturbs society by his preachings... read more

Group of Brands