Luke 2:8-14122 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest - The design of God, in the incarnation, was to manifest the hidden glories of his nature, and to reconcile men to each other and to himself. The angels therefore declare that this incarnation shall manifest and promote the glory of God, εν ὑψιστοις not only in the highest heavens, among the highest orders of beings, but in the highest and most exalted degrees. For in this astonishing display of God's mercy, attributes of the Divine nature which had not been... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:19

And pondered them in her heart - Συμβαλλουσα , Weighing them in her heart. Weighing is an English translation of our word pondering, from the Latin ponderare . Every circumstance relative to her son's birth, Mary treasured up in her memory; and every new circumstance she weighed, or compared with those which had already taken place, in order to acquire the fullest information concerning the nature and mission of her son. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:20

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising - These simple men, having satisfactory evidence of the truth of the good tidings, and feeling a Divine influence upon their own minds, returned to the care of their flocks, glorifying God for what he had shown them, and for the blessedness which they felt. "Jesus Christ, born of a woman, laid in a stable, proclaimed and ministered to by the heavenly host, should be a subject of frequent contemplation to the pastors of his Church. After having... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:21

When eight days were accomplished - The law had appointed that every male should be circumcised at eight days old, or on the eighth day after its birth, Genesis 17:12 ; and our blessed Lord received circumcision in token of his subjection to the law, Galatians 4:4 ; Galatians 5:3 . His name was called Jesus - See on Matthew 1:21 ; (note) and John 1:29 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:22

Days of her purification - That is, thirty-three days after what was termed the seven days of her uncleanness - forty days in all: for that was the time appointed by the law, after the birth of a male child. See Leviticus 12:2 , Leviticus 12:6 . The MSS. and versions differ much in the pronoun in this place: some reading αυτης , Her purification; others αυτου , His purification; others αυτων , Their purification; and others αυτοιν , the purification of Them Both. Two versions... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:24

And to offer a sacrifice - Neither mother nor child was considered as in the Lord's covenant, or under the Divine protection, till these ceremonies, prescribed by the law, had been performed. A pair of turtle doves, etc. - One was for a burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering: see Leviticus 12:8 . The rich were required to bring a lamb, but the poor and middling classes were required to bring either two turtle doves, or two pigeons. This is a proof that the holy family were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:25

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem - This man is distinguished because of his singular piety. There can be no doubt that there were many persons in Jerusalem named Simeon, besides this man; but there was none of the name who merited the attention of God so much as he in the text. Such persevering exemplary piety was very rare, and therefore the inspired penman ushers in the account with behold! Several learned men are of the opinion that he was son to the famous Hillel, one of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:26

It was revealed unto him - He was divinely informed, κεχρηματισμενον - he had an express communication from God concerning the subject. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. The soul of a righteous and devout man is a proper habitation for the Holy Spirit. He should not see death - They that seek shall find: it is impossible that a man who is earnestly seeking the salvation of God, should be permitted to die without finding it. The Lord's Christ - Rather, the Lord's... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:14

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:26

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