THE BIRTH OF JESUS
This post originally published 12/17/2017
Updated and republished 12/13/2023
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
The phrase “it came to pass in those days” is used seven times in the Bible. For the most part, it marks a time of trouble which ends in a blessing. “In those days”, here, means about the time of the birth of John, and the conception of Jesus.
Caius Caesar Octavianus Augustus was emperor of Rome from 29 BC till his death in 14 AD.
“All the world” does not mean the entire world as we know it, but refers to the Roman empire. The word was originally used by Greeks to denote lands inhabited by themselves as opposed to those inhabited by barbarians. When the Greeks became Romans, the word was applied to the Roman empire. Some commentators, however, suggest that “all the world” simply means all the land of Israel, since there seems to be no historic record of a taxing at this time. There are Bible verses which can be used to support either view.
There is much debate as to whether this was a taxing, or simply a census. It was common for a taxing to accompany a census as a way to increase a nations treasury. Yet, the word used here is the same used in Hebrews 12:23 to describe Christian’s names being enrolled in heaven. Some suggest that the tax would have been levied against each nation based on the census.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
It is commonly believed that this Cyrenius is Quirinius who began ruling Syria several years after the death of Herod who, in a seeming contradiction, was still alive at the birth of Jesus. Skeptics are quick to jump on this apparent problem, and Bible scholars try to solve it by saying it is a mistranslation which should read “before Cyrenius was governor of Syria”. Yet, several solutions to our lack of understanding have been offered: 1- The census was taken at this time, but the taxing was not done for several years, partly due to Jewish rebellion (Acts 5:37). 2- There is some historic evidence that suggests Quirinius was also governor at an earlier time, and that taxings occurred during both. 3-The word for “governor” means leader, commander, or ruler. Quirinius commanded military campaigns around, and possibly in, the area of Syria around the earlier time.
Simply put, we should remember that Luke was a doctor, who gave great attention to details and facts in his writings. And, unlike us, Luke knew what he was talking about.
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 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:)
This verse highlights Luke’s constant attention to detail. Though Bethlehem is down on a map, it is up in altitude. Also, there was another town named Bethlehem just a few miles north of Nazareth, in which would be much more convenient for us to have Jesus born. Yet, Luke specifically identifies Bethlehem of Judea.
Normally, a Roman census would be taken in a person’s city of residence. Yet, it appears that King Herod may have conducted the census more along the lines of the Jewish custom of registering people by tribes and families. The land inheritance of the descendants of David was at, or near, the city of Bethlehem.
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
The phrase “his espoused wife” shows that they were still engaged at this point. The word means asked for in marriage. Although, at this point he had taken her into his home (Matthew 1:18-25).
There is much debate as to whether Mary was required by Roman law to attend, or if it was simply customary for Joseph to take her due to her being “great with child”. Either way, it was necessary for her to deliver in Bethlehem so the prophesy of Micah 5:2 could be fulfilled. Some commentators express their disgust with the tyranny of Augustus Caesar for forcing Mary to attend. Yet, we see that it was the will of God.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Many commentators believe that the family made a permanent move to Bethlehem, since Matthew 2:1-11 seems to suggest that they stayed there for some time. Yet, Luke’s phrase “while they were there” suggests that it was only intended to be temporary.
7 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.
There is much debate as to whether “firstborn” proves Mary had other children, or simply reinforces her virginity. Catholics teach that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life, and had no other children. They, therefore, reject the verses which speak of Jesus’ brothers. The word simply means what it says- first born, regardless of whether or not any were born after. Exodus 13:2 defines firstborn as “whatsoever opens the womb”. Luke’s use of the word does not prove, nor disprove, either view.
Many commentators try to say that Jesus being born in a stable shows the extreme poverty of the family. The text, however, clearly says “because there was no room for them in the inn”. The fact that they sought lodging in an inn suggests that they had no friends or close relatives in Bethlehem.
In those days, there were two types of inns. One was a structure especially built for travelers with rooms and adjoining stalls built around a courtyard. The other was simply any spare room a homeowner may have to rent out for the night. The word is also translated “guest-chamber” for the upper room in which Jesus prepared for the last supper (Luke 22:11). Also, note that the stable may not necessarily belong to an inn. They simply lodged in a stable because there was no room in the inn.
The word for “manger” can also be translated “stall” (Luke 13:15).
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
First, notice that Luke does not say”lowly shepherds”. Many people try to paint a picture of smelly, uneducated men, because God apparently wanted to first present the gospel to the lowest of society. This is ignorance. Are we also to consider God, who is our shepherd (Psalm 23:1; Ezekiel 34), to be lowly, smelly, and uneducated? Though shepherds were despised by the heathen, the Jews mostly considered shepherds to be hard-working, honest men. Some of Israel’s greatest leaders were trained by God as shepherds so they could lead His sheep. King David, as a shepherd, kept his flock in this very area. It is the most logical thing, that God presented the following message to shepherds so they could lead people to the newborn Jesus, which we will see in verses 17-18.
“The same country” means the same region. Luke was not referring to the entire land of Israel, but simply the area around Bethlehem. Since Jerusalem was only about 4 miles from Bethlehem, this area was used to raise the sacrificial lambs for the temple. Thus, it is fitting that the sacrificial lamb of God (1 Peter 1:19) should be born there. Also, it is most symbolically fitting that it was to these shepherds that the the angels proclaimed their message.
While shepherds of small flocks could confine their sheep to pens during the winter months, shepherds of large flocks kept their sheep roaming the year round. When pastures became sparse in the fall, they took them into the mountains to feed on brush. The fact that the shepherds were in the field suggests a timing between April and October. Some have calculated (based on the timing of Zacharias serving in the temple, to the sixth month of Elizabeth and Mary’s conception, to the birth of Jesus), that Jesus would have been born around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles (March/April), or around the time of the Passover Feast (September/October). We have no way of knowing when Jesus was born, but most commentators agree that His birth could not have been on December 25th. Apparently, this day was chosen by early Christians, using the theological teaching of Paul in Acts 17:16-33, because Romans celebrated it as the birthday of the sun.
There is much debate as to whether “keeping watch” means that they took turns standing on guard, or if they simply slept in the fields with their sheep. The words literally mean to keep in prison. The method of guarding would probably depend on the size of the flock and the number of shepherds. Luke gives the impression that there were at least a few shepherds.
9 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.
The angel is not identified, but it is likely to have been Gabriel, which also brought the messages to Zacharias and to Mary. It is not clear whether the angel appeared in the air, or on the ground. Though translated in different ways, the word pictures a sudden confrontation.
The glory of the Lord was a supernatural radiant glowing we also see at the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17. We cannot be sure is it was the angel glowing, or if the glory of the Lord shone round about him also.
It was not only this sudden sight that caused such fear in the shepherds. As we saw in verse 1:12, the Jews believed that to see an angel was the same as seeing God and could mean death.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Though many refuse to accept it, it is good news of great joy to all people. The shepherds may have thought “all people” referred to all classes of society in Israel, but Luke understood it to mean all of mankind (Luke 19:10).
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
“Unto you” refers to “all people” form the previous verse. The word “Christ” means “the anointed one”. This is telling the shepherds that the messiah has been born. The Jews expected the Saviour to deliver them from Roman rule, but Jesus came to deliver us from a far greater enslavement.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
The sign was to show the proclamation was true. Though the Jews probably expected the messiah to come with signs and wonders, the only sign was an expression of Christ’s humility.
Zacharias was punished for asking for a sign. The only sign given to Mary was another woman’s pregnancy. The only sign given to the shepherds was that someone laid their baby in a manger. Christianity is a faith-based religion. In Matthew 16:1-4, Jesus condemned people for wanting signs to prove His word was true. Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God.
The angel didn’t command the shepherds to go find Jesus. He simply told them how to find Him when they went.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Again, the Bible does not specify whether the angels were in mid-air or on the ground. The word “multitude” simply means a large crowd, though some commentators say it should read “the multitude”. This would mean the entirety of angels who stand before God, which we are told is ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands (Daniel 7:10; Revelation 5:11). The word “host” means “army”.
The angels shouted for joy when God laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4-7). How much more so should they shout when God lays the foundation for salvation (1 Peter 2:6)?
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Though the event was war on Satan, the angels pronounced the result of that war. This was not a prediction, however, it was a statement of fact, for Jesus is the “prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6). (See also- Ephesians 2) The Roman Empire gave an external peace, but there was no internal peace. What the angels proclaimed is an eternal peace.
The KJV translation falls short by seeming to imply this peace and good will is toward all men. It is only for those who accept it through faith in Jesus.
15 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.
The word translated as “Lord”, here referring to God, means “master”. It is the same word used by the angel in verse 11, referring to Jesus.
Though we have no indication of how far the shepherds were from Bethlehem, the word translated “go even unto” literally means “traverse” and seems to indicate they were very near the city.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Though the birth of our savior was heralded by a heavenly host, it went unnoticed by humanity. The shepherds found only the small family. If a midwife had attended the birth, she was apparently already gone.
The word translated “found” means to find after searching, and indicates they probably searched a number of stables until they found the one containing the baby Jesus.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
When they had seen the sign, the angel had said to look for, they made it known throughout the region. The word “abroad” is implied, and many translations omit it. Many commentators suggest that the shepherds only told Mary and Joseph, and possibly others at the inn. Yet, it is highly unlikely that they would leave their flocks, search Bethlehem in the middle of the night, and then suddenly keep silent about such a fantastic event. Also, the next verse says, “all they that heard”. And, in verse 20, we see the shepherds glorifying and praising God as they returned to their flocks.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
The word translated “wondered” means they were amazed. Yet, the same word is used in Luke 4:22 when people marveled with disbelief of the miracles of Jesus. In Matthew 2:1-8, however, it appears that the people of Jerusalem, only 4 miles from Bethlehem, were unaware of the birth of the messiah or its heralding by angels.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
The word for “kept” means guarded or kept intact. The word translated “pondered” means to confer with or dispute. Apparently, Mary compared the herald, told by the shepherds, with her own angelic experience, and reexamined them throughout her son’s life.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The shepherds returned to their flocks. The word “heard” probably refers, not only to the angel and the heavenly proclamation, but to the angelic experiences related by Mary and Joseph.
NEXT- BABY JESUS AT THE TEMPLE
The Christmas Story- (part 6) Baby Jesus at the Temple
The Christmas Story- (part 9) Fleeing Into Egypt
The Christmas Story- (part 8) The Wise Men
The Christmas Story- (part 7) Matthew’s Account of the Birth of Jesus
The Christmas Story- (part 4) The birth of John the Baptist
The Christmas Story- (part 3) Mary visits Elizabeth
the coming tribulation 