Luke 2:4

Context
2:4 So¹ Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth² in Galilee to Judea, to the city³ of David called Bethlehem,⁴ because he was of the house⁵ and family line⁶ of David.

Luke 2:11

Context
2:11 Today⁷ your Savior is born in the city⁸ of David.⁹ He is Christ¹⁰ the Lord.

[2:4] ¹tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the consequential nature of the action.

[2:4] ²sn On Nazareth see Luke 1:26.

[2:4] ³tn Or “town.” The translation “city” is used here because of its collocation with “of David,” suggesting its importance, though not its size.

[2:4] ⁴sn The journey from Nazareth to the city of David called Bethlehem was a journey of about 90 mi (150 km). Bethlehem was a small village located about 7 miles south-southwest of Jerusalem.

[2:4] ⁵sn Luke’s use of the term “house” probably alludes to the original promise made to David outlined in the Nathan oracle of 2 Sam 7:12-16, especially in light of earlier connections between Jesus and David made in Luke 1:32. Further, the mention of Bethlehem reminds one of the promise of Mic 5:2, namely, that a great king would emerge from Bethlehem to rule over God’s people.

[2:4] ⁶tn Or “family,” “lineage.”

[2:11] ⁷sn 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] ⁸tn Or “town.” See the note on “city” in v. 4.

[2:11] ⁹tn This is another indication of a royal, messianic connection.

[2:11] ¹⁰tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”