Book of Luke

Luke Chapter 2

• 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.
• 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
• 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

We think our tax system is confusing and mind-boggling, think of what they went through. They not only had to pay taxes but go back to the city of their birth and pay them there. I pity the ones who may have been disabled.

• Luke 2:4 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:)

Notice no protest or rebellion against the law of the land but willing compliance. Sadly many heads of governments do not care about individual suffering as long as they get the money someone else has earned by way of taxation. However, look at the plan of God in this: They didn't live in Bethlehem so to bring them back to the land of their birth fulfills prophecy as we shall see as we study further.

• Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
• 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
• 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.

The King of all the earth being born in a stable seems improper but God does not think like we do. His plans do not line up with our way of thinking but in the long run you can depend on God's will being accomplished and that He does things not only right but on time. He is never late.

• Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
• 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.
• 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.

Why would a baby being born in a manger years ago bring joy to all people? Because the world was headed for an eternity without God and lost forever. The world needed this savior. When we read the law of God we will see that we cannot even possibly save ourselves by keeping the law in all points. Yet the law says we are guilty before God if we have broken that law in any point.

We cannot take God's laws lightly or assume that they are done away with. We needed a savior, one who could keep the law in all points and fulfill the righteousness of the law. At the point of this savior's death, He can become the savior of all who believe in Him because He died being innocent. He did not break the law of God but kept every detail of the law.

The just suffered for the unjust. We deserve death, He did not. When He was sacrificed on the cross of Calvary, He died on our behalf. It only counts for all who believe and receive this Son of God, Jesus Christ as savior.

When we confess with our months, the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, we become born again and saved from our sins. Christ has freed us from the curse of the law which condemns us to an eternity in Hell. That is why Jesus had to come in the flesh or in human form. He became one of us. Jesus laid down His life willingly to become the savior of all in the world who would believe.

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 
• 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 
• 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

I was walking around my front yard and started quoting these verses in John chapter 3. As I'm updating this study I made a few years ago, seeing these scriptures again confirms what I felt in my spirit at the time. I believe God was reminding me of the real reason the church or His believers are still here and the return of our Lord seems to be delayed. God still wants to save as many as He can before He sends judgment for all the evil in our nation and other nations that are in rebellion against all that is good.

A day is coming that all who persecute His people, try to divide the land of Israel and who commit the sins of abortion, sexual immorality, idolatry and those who have made a mockery of His divine order of marriage, plus many other things going on, will be judged. No one will get by with murdering the innocent and or doing evil to innocent people. All will be judged, but for now God is has not yet closed the door of mercy and grace which still abounds for any who will call on His name for salvation. God wants to save as many as possible.

• Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 
• 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

True salvation is not accepting a religion we call Christianity, it is a change within our inner most being. It is a change only God can do by His Holy Spirit. It can never be forced by the will of any person.

• Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

This is why this was such an important event that God appointed witnesses and did not allow His Son to be born without having witnesses to this birth.

• Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

God makes sure that He has witnesses in events which involve the salvation of the world.

• Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

The shepherds, the prophets, the wise men and many others were witnesses to the entering of the savior into the world. The wise men didn't get there until Mary and Joseph had moved into a house but they seemed to have started their journey as soon as they saw the star in the sky. So we see there were even signs in the heavens that attracted the attention of the astronomers which we call the wise men. As the saying goes though: Wise men still seek Him.

• Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

There were probably other babies being born so God made sure they found the right one.

• Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Notice that the angels were praising God. It did not say that they sang. They could have been singing but the scripture does not say that they were so we should not assume that they were singing. The thing to remember are the words they spoke.

• Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
• 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.
• 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
• 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
• 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

They were willing to share this good news to others.

• Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Mary and Joseph knew their Son was special but I don't think they fully realized the whole significance of this birth. Perhaps they felt to unworthy or humbled that God chose them over others and still could not grasp the full meaning of what was happening. I personally do believe in mighty works of God but it would be harder for me to believe that God would use me to do them. 

• Luke 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Why were they so happy? Babies were being born all the time. I believe that these shepherds were not ignorant concerning the promise of a Messiah and there hearts were prepared by God to witness the birth of the Savior that had longed for. The promised Messiah was foretold by prophets and is in the Old Testament scriptures.

• Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Remember Jesus kept the law and everything had to be done according to the law of God given to Moses years ago. If they had not have kept the law, Jesus could not have qualified to be a spotless, sinless sacrifice to save anyone from sin because He would have sinned Himself. Just like the animals used for sacrifices had to be without blemish pointing toward the final sacrifice to come, Jesus had to be without sin in order to save all who would believe.

• Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

The Jewish law and customs concerning cleansing can be studied further in Leviticus 12.

• Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
• 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.

The law of sacrifices was still in effect even though Jesus the Messiah had arrived. Sacrificial offerings were not needed after the death of Christ in which He offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world but at His birth the law of animal sacrifices was still in effect.

Notice also that from the book of Leviticus we can read that two turtledoves or two pigeons were for those that couldn't afford a lamb. Jesus' family seems to be poor compared to those that could have brought a lamb.

• Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 
• Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 
• Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

If the year Jesus died for sins was considered the end of the world, how much closer are we now?

• Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Notice how God is faithful to reveal Himself to those who fear and honor Him. This man was waiting for the Messiah, the consolation of Israel. To us his waiting would seem a very long time.

• Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

God had prepared yet another witness to the savior of the world.

• Luke 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
• 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
• 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
• 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Simeon was so happy to have seen the one who was to bring salvation that he was satisfied to die his natural death at any time.

• Luke 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
• 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

He speaking by the Holy Spirit showing the mystery of this wonderful salvation to be given to the Gentiles as well as Israel. Gentiles at that time where those that were not Jews and were unbelievers in the things of God. In our day Gentiles would probably mean the heathen which do not believe in God. 

• Luke 2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
• 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

We see later that Jesus did cause much offense and people spoke against Him. Israel fell and lost their nation in 70 AD for rejecting Jesus as the Messiah or Christ. That was the fall in verse 34. In the latter times 1948 they became a nation again, which is the beginning of the rising of many in Israel. There are Messianic Jews that believe in Jesus but still as a nation they have not recognized Jesus as Messiah yet but they will in the future as was foretold in Zechariah.

• Zechariah 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 

There is a lot more scriptures that tells of the restoration of Israel. Here is another place:

• Jeremiah 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 
• 34  And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.  

God will never forsake Israel. They are still His people

• Luke 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Mary was to witness the suffering and death of Jesus.

• Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

This is why it is so dangerous to forsake the Word of God. The word is what convicts us of sin and shows us the way of salvation. It is grievous to see so many in this modern times ignoring and taking lightly the word of God. We should know better but at the time of the first coming of Jesus, the Gentile world was in darkness. They had no understanding of the true God at that time. We have had the gospel for many years now and there is no excuse for us in 2025.

• Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Anna was a prophetess. We see that she also had a husband at one time. Isn't it great that God uses women also? He is no respecter of persons. He will use whoever makes themselves available to Him.

• Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

God rewarded her dedication by allowing her to witness and see the Christ, the savior of the world.

• Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
• 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
• 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
• 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
• 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
• 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
• 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
• 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
• 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
• 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
• 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
• 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Jesus was not being disrespectful here but only reminding His parents that His purpose was to do God's will and not to live as an ordinary person would have lived in that day. This event may also have been to give witness to the doctors of the presence of the promised Messiah along with reminding His family of who Jesus really was and prepare their hearts for His ministry later.

• Luke 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
• 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Jesus obeyed His parents until He came to the age when His ministry would start being fully subject to them.

• Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

The study of the word can be very exciting and change our lives. The more of it we desire to understand, the more we will understand. We must not take eternal salvation lightly. We must never leave it in the hands of man. Let us read and study ourselves to make sure we are in right standing with God.

Here are the very words of Jesus:

• John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Both the Old Testament which points to the first and second coming of Christ and the New Testament which tells of the coming of Christ and also the Second Coming of Christ, speak of Him and the way of salvation. It takes the Holy Spirit to show us these things. These things are given to those who ask, seek and desire to know the things of God. We do not have to be ignorant.

DC