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Luke 2

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

What does Luke 2:13 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 2:13 is a part of the Biblical account of Jesus' birth in the Gospel of Luke.

The verse immediately follows the announcement by an angel to a group of shepherds that the Messiah, the Savior, has been born in the town of Bethlehem.

The "suddenly" at the beginning of this verse indicates a quick transition from a singular angel making the announcement to an astonishing scene involving a "multitude of the heavenly host." The term "heavenly host" refers to a large group of angels, and the term "host" often denotes an army, suggesting a powerful and majestic gathering.

The angels are described as "praising God," which signifies their acknowledgment of the divine nature of the event they are proclaiming. The praise is an expression of joy, reverence, and adoration for God's intervention in the world through the birth of Jesus.

The verse implies a chorus of praise, typical of Luke's Gospel, which frequently mentions songs and hymns of praise.

The saying or the song that the angels were reciting is not fully included in this particular verse, but the following verse provides the content of their proclamation, which focuses on the glory of God and peace on Earth.

This verse captures the miraculous and celebratory atmosphere surrounding the birth of Christ, including elements of surprise, the divine nature of the event, and the response of the heavenly beings to God's extraordinary action in human history.

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Historical Context

Luke 2:13 is a part of the Nativity narrative found in the Gospel of Luke, which is one of four canonical gospels in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

Luke is believed to have been written between AD 80 and 110, and the author is traditionally identified as Luke the Evangelist, a companion of the Apostle Paul.

The Gospel of Luke was written to provide an orderly account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and is addressed to Theophilus, a name which may refer to a particular individual or be a generic term for a Christian or seeker of knowledge.

The audience of Luke's Gospel was primarily a Greek-speaking community that would be familiar with the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible).

Luke aims to connect the story of Jesus with the promises and prophecies found in Hebrew scriptures, demonstrating that Jesus is the fulfillment of those prophecies.

Culturally, the scene of a heavenly host would have resonated with both Jewish and Hellenistic audiences, who held beliefs in celestial beings.

Angels were commonly understood as messengers of God and signify divine intervention and authoritative declarations.

This dramatic appearance would be associated with significant religious events.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Luke 2:13 reveals several insights:

Christology: The verse supports the Christian belief in the deity of Jesus Christ by illustrating a divine announcement of his birth.
Eschatology: The announcement of Jesus' birth by the angelic host can be interpreted as an eschatological sign, indicating the intervention of God in human history to bring about salvation and fulfill His divine plan.
Pneumatology: The presence of angels, which are spiritual beings, emphasizes the transcendental aspect of the birth, implying the action of the Holy Spirit.
Ecclesiology: The angelic host can be seen as a model for the unified worship within the church, leading believers in collective adoration of God.
Doxology: The verse's focus on praising God reflects a central aspect of Christian worship, highlighting the importance of glorifying God in response to His works.

Different Christian traditions may also offer varying interpretations of this verse. For example, some may focus on the liturgical importance of the angels’ song during Christmas services.

Practical Applications

Luke 2:13 has several practical applications in daily life:

Worship: This verse can inspire individuals and congregations to engage in worshipful adoration, mirroring the angels' response to the divine.
Acknowledging the Divine: It serves as a reminder to perceive and celebrate divine interventions and significant moments in one’s life.
Community: The unity of the heavenly host encourages believers to come together in celebration and worship, promoting fellowship and communal harmony.
Joy and Hope: The joyous announcement of the angels can be a source of comfort and hope, especially during difficult times, reminding believers of the constant presence and actions of God in the world.

Cross-References

Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Matthew 1:20-21: The involvement of an angel in announcing Jesus' birth to Joseph.
Hebrews 1:6: “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”
Psalm 103:20-21: “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.”

Revelation 5:11-12: A similar image of a multitude of heavenly beings praising God.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the term "στρατιὰ οὐράνιος" (stratia ouranios) is used, with "στρατιὰ" (stratia) meaning "army" or "host," and "οὐράνιος" (ouranios) meaning "heavenly." This term denotes an organized, powerful group rather than a chaotic crowd.

The phrase "προσέχοντες τῷ Θεῷ" (prosechontes to Theo) translates as "praising God," indicating continuous action and implying a focus on the importance of ongoing glorification of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of heavenly beings proclaiming significant events was not unique to Judaism and Christianity and can be found in other ancient cultures, such as the Greeks with their muses praising the gods, or the Roman tales of augurs interpreting the will of the gods.

Furthermore, the imagery of a multitude of beings praising a deity is also seen in other religious traditions, such as Hinduism, where there are accounts of the devas (gods) praising the high god during significant events.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the events described in Luke 2:13 are of a miraculous and supernatural nature. These events may not directly align with empirical scientific understanding, as science typically does not engage with the supernatural.

However, the study of religious experiences, including visions and the psychological aspects of collective religious expressions, falls within the domain of psychology and sociology.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Luke 2:13:

Literary analysis: Some commentaries focus on the structure and literary aspects of Luke's narrative, considering the poetic nature of the angels' announcement.
Exegetical insights: Commentators examine the Greek text to provide context for the terms used and to better understand the impact of the verse in its original setting.
Doctrinal implications: Theologians delve into the doctrinal significance of the verse, contemplating the nature of Christ and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through the angelic announcement.
Historical commentaries: Historical scholars look at the geopolitical and social context of the Roman Empire at the time of Jesus' birth to understand the impact of the event on the early Christian community and the wider world.

Luke 2

Luke 2

What does Luke 2:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 2:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?