Luke 2-3
What I Noticed Today (Luke 2-3)
Luke 2
In verses 1-2, Caesar Augustus ordered the entire empire to be registered during the time of the first registration of Quirinius governor of Syria.
Note: Caesar Augustus reigned from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14.
Note: There is an issue with the interpretation of the time of Quirinius. Some scholars believe that Quirinius only reigned from A.D. 6-7, which would be too late for Jesus’ birth. Therefore, scholars that believe in a single reign suggest the word translated “first” should be translated “before,” which would then mean “before the governorship of Quirinius.” However, other scholars believe Quirinius reigned twice: once from 6-4 B.C. and again from A.D. 6-7. In this case, the translation of “first” remains as is.
In verses 3-7, Joseph and Mary traveled up from Nazareth in Galilee to the City of David (Bethlehem) because Joseph was of the line of David. Mary gave birth, wrapped the Son in cloth, and laid Him in a trough because there was no room in the lodging.
In verses 8-14, in the same region, shepherds were outside at night watching over their flocks when suddenly an angel appeared before them. They were frightened, and the angel comforted them, saying he brought the good news of the Messiah. The Messiah had been born in Bethlehem, and you will find Him wrapped in cloth in a feeding trough. Suddenly a host of angels appeared praising God.
Note: It was normal for shepherds to be watching the flocks because of the predators that come out at night. To be suddenly surrounded by a bright light from the angel terrified them.
In verses 15-20, as soon as the angel left, the shepherds decided to go straight to Bethlehem to see what the angel of the Lord had told them. When they arrived, they found Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, just as the angel had said. So the shepherds returned to their flocks glorifying and praising God.
Note: The shepherds believed what they were told and went to see Jesus immediately. This stands in stark contrast to the religious leaders who knew the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem yet never sought out the truth on their own.
In verses 21-24, on the eighth day, Mary and Joseph circumcised the baby and named Him Jesus, just as they had been instructed by the angel when Jesus was conceived. Then, when the days of purification were completed, they presented Jesus at the temple and made an offering for him as required by the Law of Moses (Exodus 13:2, Leviticus 12:2-8).
Note: The “days of purification” were 33 days after Jesus was circumcised.
In verses 25-35, a man in Jerusalem named Simeon had the Holy Spirit and was told that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. So, guided by the Holy Spirit, he entered the temple at the time when Mary and Joseph came with Jesus to have Him circumcised. Simeon took the baby up in his arms and praised God for having brought salvation to the Gentiles and the people of Israel.
Note: Simeon’s praise to God in verses 29-32 is referred to in the Latin Vulgate as “Nunc Dimittis.”
Simeon blessed them but then warned them that Jesus would cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, be opposed, and their grief would be like a sword piercing the soul.
In verses 36-38, A prophetess named Anna of the tribe of Asher served God continually in the temple by fasting and in prayer. She also came to Joseph and Mary praising God and speaking of Jesus’ redemption of Jerusalem.
Note: Anna was married for seven years, then a widow for 84 years (vv. 36-37). If she were married when she was 15 years old, she would have been 107 years old at the time of her proclamation about Jesus in the temple!
In verses 38-40, Joseph and Mary returned to Nazareth. Jesus grew up and became filled with wisdom and the grace of God.
In verses 41-50, Joseph and Mary traveled to Jerusalem every year to celebrate the Passover. When Jesus was 12 years old, Joseph and Mary left after the Passover and traveled a day before they noticed that Jesus was not with them. They returned to the temple and found Jesus listening to and asking questions of the Rabbis (teachers). Mary asked Jesus why He had worried them, and He answered, did you not know that I would be in my Father’s house?
Note: The reference to three days is likely to be one day of travel away from Jerusalem, one day of travel back, and one day looking for Jesus.
In verses 51-52, Jesus left with them and was obedient to them. As a result, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor of God and the people.
Luke 3
In verses 1-2, Luke dates the approximate beginning of John’s public ministry by listing the governing officials in declining rank order: Tiberius Caesar (emperor), Pontius Pilate (governor), Herod (tetrarch), Philip (tetrarch), and Lsanias (tetrarch) during the reign of the high priests Annas and Caiaphas.
In verses 3-6, John began preaching in and around Jordan a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins (as it is written in Isaiah 40:3-5).
In verses 7-14, John referred to the crowd who came to be baptized as a brood of vipers, warning them to produce fruit in a way that demonstrates your repentance and faith. The crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers all asked what they should do, and John told them all to be generous, honest, and satisfied with what they have.
In verses 15-17, the people wondered whether John was the Messiah. He told them he baptized with water, but One is coming after him who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John proclaimed the Good News to many people.
Note: The reference to fire in verse 17 is to the fire of judgment that will come in the end times.
In verses 18-20, John had rebuked Herod for taking Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the other evil that Herod had done, so Herod had John thrown in prison.
Note: If, based on verse 1, John began his ministry about A.D. 29 and was beheaded by A.D. 32, his entire period of ministry lasted only about three years, and two years of that was in prison.
In verses 21-22, (See also Matthew 3:13-17 and Mark 1:9-11), Luke records the baptism of Jesus. As Jesus was praying, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and a voice speaking from heaven said, “You are my beloved Son. I take great delight in You.” (This fulfilled Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1)
Note: Luke is the only Gospel that mentions Jesus was praying when the heavens opened.
In verses 23-28, (See also Matthew 1:1-17). Luke notes that Jesus was about 30-years old when he began His public ministry and presented the genealogy of Jesus.
Note: In the Old Testament, priests were called for duty when they were 30-years old.
Luke’s genealogy of Jesus differs from Matthew’s in several respects:
- Seventy-six names, including Jesus and Adam working backward from Jesus to God.
- Luke’s list from David to Shealtiel traces the line through Nathan, while Matthew traced the line through Solomon.
- Luke traced the physical line of Mary and the actual line of Joseph, while Matthew traced the legal line of Joseph.
- Luke’s genealogy focused on the humanity of Jesus, while Matthew’s focused on Israel (the Son of Abraham).
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.