Luke 2

The birth of Jesus and shepherds Luke 2:6–20

⁶Verse 6. While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. ⁷Verse 7. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸Verse 8. There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. ⁹Verse 9. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰Verse 10. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

¹¹Verse 11. For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹²Verse 12. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” ¹³Verse 13. Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, ¹⁴Verse 14. “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.” ¹⁵Verse 15. When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

¹⁶Verse 16. They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. ¹⁷Verse 17. When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. ¹⁸Verse 18. All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. ¹⁹Verse 19. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰Verse 20. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

Presentation at the temple Luke 2:21–24

²¹Verse 21. When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. ²²Verse 22. When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord ²³Verse 23. (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), ²⁴Verse 24. 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.”

Simeon's and Anna's recognition Luke 2:25–38

²⁵Verse 25. Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶Verse 26. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷Verse 27. He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, ²⁸Verse 28. then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, ²⁹Verse 29. “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;

³⁰Verse 30. for my eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹Verse 31. which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; ³²Verse 32. a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” ³³Verse 33. Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, ³⁴Verse 34. and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. ³⁵Verse 35. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

³⁶Verse 36. There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, ³⁷Verse 37. and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. ³⁸Verse 38. Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.

Jesus grows in wisdom and favor Luke 2:39–52

³⁹Verse 39. When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. ⁴⁰Verse 40. The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. ⁴¹Verse 41. His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. ⁴²Verse 42. When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, ⁴³Verse 43. and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,

⁴⁴Verse 44. but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. ⁴⁵Verse 45. When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. ⁴⁶Verse 46. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. ⁴⁷Verse 47. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸Verse 48. When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”

⁴⁹Verse 49. He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰Verse 50. They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. ⁵¹Verse 51. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. ⁵²Verse 52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.