“The wonder of the many was a transient emotion (aorist), this recollecting and brooding of Mary was an abiding habit (imperfect).” (Bruce). . You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Julius Caesar eventually adopted Octavian as his son, and he was made his official heir in 45 B.C. We may request cookies to be set on your device. d. They did not understand the statement which He spoke to them: Jesus’ statement told them something about His identity as a unique Son of God the Father, though they did not understand it. On catching the first view of "the city of their solemnities," and high above all in it, "the place of God's rest," we hear Him saying to Himself, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God doth shine" ( Psalms 48:2 , 50:2 ). to all them, &c.--the sense is, "to all them in Jerusalem that were looking for redemption"--saying in effect, In that Babe are wrapt up all your expectations. to his own city--the city of his extraction, according to the Jewish custom, not of his abode, which was the usual Roman method. Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”. The correct reading of Luke 2:22 is “now when the days of their purification…were completed.” Jesus was identified with sinners even as a baby. What brought her to Bethlehem? Luke 2:41-52 . Nor do they say, Let us go and see if this be true--they have no misgivings. a. ANGELIC ANNUNCIATION TO THE SHEPHERDS--THEIR VISIT TO THE NEWBORN BABE. Yet under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke presented this most amazing event in an understated manner. all the world--so the vast Roman Empire was termed. c. And she brought forth her firstborn Son: One of the striking things about Luke’s narrative is how simple it is in contrast to how great the events are. “For He who knew no sin, and who never was to know sin, was already in His circumcision made sin for us. This was not only because of the natural love of a mother, but also because His rejection was her rejection. by night--or, night watches, taking their turn of watching. It came to pass in those days: Luke clearly tells us that he recorded actual history and real events. But as great a man as Caesar Augustus was, he was only a man. Living out in the fields: Many have said that a late December date is impossible, because shepherds would not have been out at night at that time of year. i. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Had she then none to help her? [BENGEL]. Jerusalem is good, but Nazareth is good, too; let him who neglects the one, on pretext of attending to the other, ponder this scene. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. c. He took Him up in his arms: Simeon’s prophecy was filled with love for his Savior; and he hardly knew Jesus. Even if they didn’t really understand it, they recognized that something significant had happened. How would the one sight gild the gloom of the other! In 27 B.C. i. The news of John the Baptist’s birth and its meaning was widely publicized (Luke 1:65), and the shepherds who heard the angelic announcement may have kept temple flocks, and they may have reported what happened among the people of the temple. The correct reading of Luke 2:22 is “now when the days of their purification…were completed.” Jesus was identified with sinners even as a baby. threw off the filial yoke, and became His own Master henceforth, and theirs too, it is purposely added, "And He went down with them, and was subject unto them." She tells Him of the sorrow with which His father and she had sought Him. ii. 20. glorifying and praising God, &c.--The latter word, used of the song of the angels ( Luke 2:13 ), and in Luke 19:37 , and Luke 24:53 , leads us to suppose that theirs was a song too, probably some canticle from the Psalter--meet vehicle for the swelling emotions of their simple hearts at what "they had heard and seen.". One of his early titles was imperator, the commander in chief of all the armed forces of the state. These men may have also protected and cared for the lambs used in temple sacrifice. "No doubt, like Simeon ( Luke 2:25 ), they were among the waiters for the Consolation of Israel" [OLSHAUSEN]; and, if the simplicity of their rustic minds, their quiet occupation, the stillness of the midnight hours, and the amplitude of the deep blue vault above them for the heavenly music which was to fill their ear, pointed them out as fit recipients for the first tidings of an Infant Saviour, the congenial meditations and conversations by which, we may suppose, they would beguile the tedious hours would perfect their preparation for the unexpected visit. And when eight days were completed: This was done so Jesus might fulfill every aspect of the law (as commanded in Leviticus 12:2-3). A little longer stay at Nazareth, and the prophecy would have failed. tarried behind . The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Everyone to his own city: There is no record in secular history that Augustus decreed this census and commanded it be performed in this manner, but it was consistent with what we do know of him from history. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. 15. g. There was no room for them in the inn: This happened in a public place, with other travelers and residents. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. c. The grace of God was upon Him: The goodness and favor of God was evident in His life, even as a child. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. b. a. . This was a heavenly host (a band of soldiers) that proclaimed peace. Antony, with the help of Cleopatra, brought 500 warships, 100,000 foot soldiers, and 12,000 cavalry. Where did this happen? Compiled & Edited by BST & Crosswalk Staff, Compiled & Edited by BibleStudyTools Staff, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. found Mary, &c.--"mysteriously guided by the Spirit to the right place through the obscurity of the night" [OLSHAUSEN]. glory of thy people Israel--already Thine, and now, in the believing portion of it, to be so more gloriously than ever. “In the century before Christ was born the evidences of disintegration were so palpable in wars, in the passing of the old order, and in moral corruption, that the thoughtful feared early collapse. a. Joseph also went up from Galilee: The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem (just outside of Jerusalem) is about 80 miles. The ancient tradition, that our Lord was born in a grotto or cave, is quite consistent with this, the country being rocky. They had to travel, they had to pay taxes – but they would also gather together with family and see relatives that they perhaps had not seen for a long time. At age 5 He did not have the understanding of a 30-year-old; but had the greatest capacity for understanding appropriate for a 5 year-old. They made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child: The combination of the angelic announcement and the sign of a child in a feeding trough inspired the shepherds to tell as many as they could of what they heard and experienced. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. of the tribe of Aser--one of the ten tribes, of whom many were not carried captive, and not a few reunited themselves to Judah after the return from Babylon. Here and there it was soon to spread beyond it. b. "The days" of this purification for a male child were forty in all ( Leviticus 12:2 Leviticus 12:4 ), on the expiry of which the mother was required to offer a lamb for a burnt offering, and a turtle dove or a young pigeon for a sin offering.