Luke 2:8-12

The Shepherds’ Visit

2:8 Now ¹  there were shepherds ²  nearby ³  living out in the field, keeping guard ⁴  over their flock at night. 2:9 An ⁵  angel of the Lord ⁶  appeared to ⁷  them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. ⁸  2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, ⁹  for I proclaim to you good news ¹⁰  that brings great joy to all the people: 2:11 Today ¹¹  your Savior is born in the city ¹²  of David. ¹³  He is Christ ¹⁴  the Lord. 2:12 This ¹⁵  will be a sign ¹⁶  for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹⁷ 

[2:8]  ¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[2:8]  ² sn Some argue that shepherds were among the culturally despised, but the evidence for this view of shepherds is late, coming from 5th century Jewish materials. December 25 as the celebrated date of Jesus’ birth arose around the time of Constantine (ca. a.d. 306-337), though it is mentioned in material from Hippolytus (a.d. 165-235). Some think that the reason for celebration on this date was that it coincided with the pagan Roman festival of Saturnalia, and Christians could celebrate their own festival at this time without fear of persecution. On the basis of the statement that the shepherds were living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night it is often suggested that Jesus’ birth took place in early spring, since it was only at lambing time that shepherds stood guard over their flocks in the field. This is not absolutely certain, however.

[2:8]  ³ tn Grk “in that region.”

[2:8]  ⁴ tn Grk “living in the field (see BDAG 15 s.v. ἀγραυλέω) and guarding their flock.”

[2:9]  ⁵ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[2:9]  ⁶ tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 1:11.

[2:9]  ⁷ tn Or “stood in front of.”

[2:9]  ⁸ tn Grk “they feared a great fear” (a Semitic idiom which intensifies the main idea, in this case their fear).

[2:10]  ⁹ tn Grk “behold.”

[2:10]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “I evangelize to you great joy.”

[2:11]  ¹¹ sn The Greek word for today (σήμερον, shmeron) occurs eleven times in the Gospel of Luke (2:11; 4:21; 5:26; 12:28; 13:32-33; 19:5, 9; 22:34, 61; 23:43) and nine times in Acts. Its use, especially in passages such as 2:11, 4:21, 5:26; 19:5, 9, signifies the dawning of the era of messianic salvation and the fulfillment of the plan of God. Not only does it underscore the idea of present fulfillment in Jesus’ ministry, but it also indicates salvific fulfillment present in the church (cf. Acts 1:6; 3:18; D. L. Bock, Luke [BECNT], 1:412; I. H. Marshall, Luke, [NIGTC], 873).

[2:11]  ¹² tn Or “town.” See the note on “city” in v. 4.

[2:11]  ¹³ tn This is another indication of a royal, messianic connection.

[2:11]  ¹⁴ tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”

[2:12]  ¹⁵ tn Grk “And this.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[2:12]  ¹⁶ sn The sign functions for the shepherds like Elizabeth’s conception served for Mary in 1:36.

[2:12]  ¹⁷ tn Or “a feeding trough,” see Luke 2:7.