luke-2:39,-luke-2:40-niv

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:1-52

Birth and Childhood of Jesus1-5. The census of Quirinius. There are two historical difficulties in connexion with St. Luke’s mention of the census of Quirinius: (1) There is no direct evidence, except St. Luke’s statement, that Augustus (31 b.c.-14 a.d.) ever held a census of the whole Roman empire. (2) Quirinius was not governor of Syria at the time of our Lord’s birth (about 7 or 6 b.c.), but either Sentius Saturninus (9-6 b.c.), or Quinctilius Varus (6-4 b.c.).As to (1), the absence of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 2:39

(39) They returned into Galilee.—Filling up the narrative from St. Matthew, we have to insert after the Presentation, the visit of the Magi, the massacre of the Infants, and the flight into Egypt. It seems probable that St. Luke was not acquainted with St. Matthew’s narrative, nor St. Matthew with St. Luke’s. Each wrote from what he heard, or found in previous existing narratives, more or less incomplete, and hence cannot readily be brought into harmony with the other. Here the parents return... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Luke 2:1-52

The Love of the Cradle (For Christmas Day) Luke 2:7 The Church has ever held that in all the estate of His Humiliation in the whole sad three and thirty years of His earthly life, our Lord offered up an atoning sacrifice. He suffered life as well as death for us. But a great saint and doctor has well reminded us that we are ready to be so dazzled by the love of the Cross that we often forget the love of the Cradle. We forget that our Lord endured the weakness of death and the weakness of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Luke 2:1-52

CHAPTER 2 1. The Birth of Christ at Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7 ) 2. The Glad Tidings Announced to the Shepherds. (Luke 2:8-20 ) 3. The Circumcision and Presentation (Luke 2:21-24 ) 4. Simeon and His Prophecy (Luke 2:25-35 ) 5. Anna the Prophetess (Luke 2:36-38 ) 6. In Nazareth (Luke 2:39-40 ) 7. In the Temple (Luke 2:41-51 ) 8. The Increase (Luke 2:52 .) Luke 2:1-7 The appointed time (Galatians 4:4 ) had come. According to prophecy the Saviour had to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 ). But... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:1-52

THE BIRTH OF THE LORD JESUS (vs.1-7) God in His sovereign wisdom and power at this time ordered the events of man's government to accomplish His own will. Caesar Augustus decreed that all the world (the Roman Empire) should be enrolled for the purpose of census taking. It is noted in a parenthesis that this census was actually taken when Cyrenius was governor of Syria, which was at least six years later. Of course it was not known that it would be this long delayed, but this was the means... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Luke 2:1-52

THE EARLY YEARS OF JESUS There is a preface to Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4 ). While Matthew and Mark tell us of whom they write (Matthew 1:1 ; Mark 1:1 ), Luke and John tell us why they write (compare John 20:31 ). Luke wrote for the instruction of Theophilus (compare Acts 1-2) whose name indicates that he was a Greek, while “most excellent” suggests that he may have been of high rank. There were many records of our Lord (Luke 1:1 ), received from eyewitnesses (Luke 1:2 ), but Luke “had... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Luke 2:1-52

The World's Need Luk 2:11 This is just what the world wanted. This is just what the world always wants. The world wants this not the less that it is in some instances not aware of the necessity. What does a drowning man want? A lecture on natation? That would be exceedingly profitable to a man who was drowning! Tell him how to use his right arm, and his left, and his lower limbs; remark on the gracefulness of his action. All this would be exceedingly gratifying to a man who is struggling for... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Luke 2:39-40

(39) And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (40) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. I detain the Reader at those verses, in order to call, his attention to what is said of Christ concerning his growth in nature, and waxing strong in spirit. It forms a subject of interesting enquiry. I pray the Lord the Holy Ghost to guide the mind, both of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:36-40

36-40 There was much evil then in the church, yet God left not himself without witness. Anna always dwelt in, or at least attended at, the temple. She was always in a praying spirit; gave herself to prayer, and in all things she served God. Those to whom Christ is made known, have great reason to thank the Lord. She taught others concerning him. Let the example of the venerable saints, Simeon and Anna, give courage to those whose hoary heads are, like theirs, a crown of glory, being found in... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Luke 2:1-99

Luke 2 THE OPENING VERSE of this chapter shows how God may use the great ones of the earth, all unconsciously to themselves, for the accomplishing of His designs. The case here is the more remarkable inasmuch as the decree of Augustus was not carried out immediately but delayed until Cyrenius was governor of Syria. Prophecy however had indicated Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah, and the decree of the Emperor came just at the right time to send Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, though... read more