12. Return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23; Luke 2:39-40)Upon hearing of Herod’s death, Joseph and Mary returned with the infant Jesus to Palestine (Matthew 2:19-21). Since the new king Archelaus was as unjust and cruel as his father Herod, they considered it unsafe to stay in Judea, so went north to their home town of Nazareth. As the years of Jesus’ childhood passed, he developed in body, mind and spirit (Matthew 2:22-23; Luke 2:39-40). read more
performed = ended. Nazareth . See note on Matthew 2:23 . read more
And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.Luke omitted the flight to Egypt and other important details of the life of Christ at this point, making it exceedingly unlikely that he had a copy of Matthew available to him. Even if he had, such omissions are characteristic of Luke's style. Another example was cited by Childers:The same sort of writing occurs in Acts 9:25,26, where it appears that Paul... read more
39. Nothing is more difficult than to fix the precise order in which the visit of the Magi, with the flight into and return from Egypt ( :-), are to be taken, in relation to the circumcision and presentation of Christ in the temple, here recorded. It is perhaps best to leave this in the obscurity in which we find it, as the result of two independent, though if we knew all, easily reconcilable narratives. read more
D. The birth and early life of Jesus ch. 2Luke followed the same pattern of events with Jesus’ birth and early life as he did for those of John. His purpose was to compare and contrast these two important individuals. read more
II. THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS 1:5-2:52This section contains material unique in Luke. The only repeated statement occurs in Luke 2:39 and Matthew 2:23. Other unique features are the way Luke alternated the reader’s attention between John and Jesus, and the joy that several individuals expressed (Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 2:14; Luke 2:29-32). [Note: For studies of the structure of this passage, see Robert C. Tannehill, The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts , 1:15-20; R. E. Brown, The... read more
Luke again noted Mary and Joseph’s careful obedience to God’s will as revealed in the Mosaic Law. He omitted their flight to Egypt that Matthew recorded. It illustrated another fulfillment of messianic prophecy. However the fulfillment of prophecy was not as important to Luke as it was to Matthew."There was a general contempt in Rabbinic circles for all that was Galilean." [Note: Edersheim, 1:225.] "Making every allowance for exaggeration, we cannot wholly ignore the account of Josephus about... read more
5. Jesus’ development in Nazareth 2:39-40 read more
2:39 Lord, (d-14) 'Jehovah,' as chs. 1.38; 3.4 read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 2:39-40
Luke 2:39-40. And when they Namely, the parents of Jesus; had performed all things according to the law Which they made conscience of doing, that they might fulfil all righteousness; they returned into Galilee, &c. Full of admiration, doubtless, at the glorious testimonies that were given to their child; to their own city Nazareth Which was the place of their usual residence, and where this blessed infant passed the days of his childhood and youth. And the child grew, &c. In... read more