Luke 2:8

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.

Luke 2:18

2:18 and all who heard it were astonished ⁵  at what the shepherds said.

Luke 2:20

2:20 So ⁶  the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising ⁷  God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told. ⁸ 

Luke 2:15

2:15 When ⁹  the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem ¹⁰  and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord ¹¹  has made known to us.”

Luke 2:17

2:17 When ¹²  they saw him, ¹³  they related what they had been told ¹⁴  about this child,

Luke 17:7

17:7 “Would any one of you say ¹⁵  to your slave ¹⁶  who comes in from the field after plowing or shepherding sheep, ‘Come at once and sit down for a meal’? 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.”

[2:18]  ⁵ tn Grk “marveled.” It is a hard word to translate with one term in this context. There is a mixture of amazement and pondering at work in considering the surprising events here. See Luke 1:21, 63; 2:33.

[2:20]  ⁹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the conclusion of the topic.

[2:20]  ¹⁰ sn The mention of glorifying and praising God is the second note of praise in this section; see Luke 2:13-14.

[2:20]  ¹¹ tn Grk “just as [it] had been spoken to them.” This has been simplified in the English translation by making the prepositional phrase (“to them”) the subject of the passive verb.

[2:15]  ¹³ tn Grk “And it happened that when.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[2:15]  ¹⁴ map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.

[2:15]  ¹⁵ sn Note how although angels delivered the message, it was the Lord whose message is made known, coming through them.

[2:17]  ¹⁷ tn Grk “And when.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[2:17]  ¹⁸ tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

[2:17]  ¹⁹ tn Grk “the word which had been spoken to them.”

[17:7]  ²¹ tn Grk “Who among you, having a slave… would say to him.”

[17:7]  ²² tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.

[17:7]  ²³ tn Grk “and recline at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away. See BDAG 70 s.v. ἀναπίπτω 1.