(Luke 2:1-5) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus [who reigned from 29 B.C. to 14 A.D.], that all the world [the 27 provinces then ruled by Rome] should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed [Gk: enrolled] [a census upon which a future tax would be made], every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea [about 60-90 miles (a 3 days journey)], unto the city of David [where David was brought up: 1 Sam 20:6], which is called Bethlehem [Heb: house of bread]; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused [engaged, betrothed] wife, being great with child [their bethrothal had been effected but not yet consummated].

(Mat 1:25) And [Joseph] knew her [Mary] not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Mary = Heb: Maria or Mariam /// rebelliously. [This Mary is a classic symbol of all humanity]

 

(Luke 2:6-7) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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 [amongst that society and culture].

(Mat 13:55) Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren [Heb: brothers], James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? [ref: Mark 3:31-35]

Commentary: swaddling clothes were strips of clothing wound firmly about the baby, binding the arms and legs straight lest the baby hurt itself by thrashing and flailing. Interestingly, swaddling clothes binding the newborn baby were essentially the same as the strips of clothing that were used to bind a deceased corpse. We come into this world bound; "many" of us go out of this world bound; and a "few" go free (Mat 7:13,14). The dead body of Lazarus was bound, and then freed when Jesus said "Loose him, and let him go." (John 11:44).

manger = Gk: (to eat); a crib (for fodder):--manger, stall.

The Nelson Study Bible: The manger was probably a feeding trough for animals. Jesus was probably born in a stable or in a cave that served as one.

Commentary: The sea creatures and winged fowl were created on the 5th day. Man and the animals excluding the sea creatures and winged fowl were created on the 6th day (hence 6 is the numerical symbol of man). This creation circumstance connotes a huge degree of similarity between the animals and man.

a. (Eccl 3:18) I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them [make apparent to them], and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

(John 6:47-51) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

(John 1:14) And the Word [of God, the Bible] was made flesh [in Jesus Christ], and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

(John 6:52-56) The Jews [unbelievers] therefore strove [Gk: quarreled, disputed] among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

(Mat 26:26-28) And as they were eating [the Last Supper], Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup [of wine], and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission [Gk: freedom; (fig.) pardon: forgiveness] of sins.

(Exo 12:5-10) Your lamb [of Passover, a type of Jesus Christ] shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month [i.e., 5 days]: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance [Heb: bowels, inner parts] thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

 

(Luke 2:8-12) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. And the angel said unto them, Fear not [fear is the opposite of faith]: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

shone round about = Gk: perilampo perilampo perilampo; to illuminate all around, i.e. invest with a halo:--shine round about.

sign = Gk: an indication, espec. cer. or supernat.:--miracle, sign, token, wonder.

 

(Luke 2:13-16) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

peace = Gk: (to join); peace; by impl. prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

good will = Gk: eudokia, yoo-dok-ee'-ah; eudokia, yoo-dok-ee'-ah; satisfaction, i.e. (subj.) delight, or (obj.) kindness, wish, purpose:--desire, good pleasure (will), X seem good.

Commentary: please note that unlike the then conventional writing custom, and the previous text in Luke 2, Mary’s name is now (after the birth) placed before Joseph’s.

 

(Luke 2:17-20) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept [Gk: to keep closely together: preserved] all these things, and pondered [Gk: (mentally) to consider] them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them [by the angels].

Commentary: "they made known abroad the saying" = the shepherds proclaimed, evangelized, "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10). Who was chosen to proclaim the "good news"? Upon whose head does that responsibility now rest? Mary, representing the sheep/people, "pondered" these things quietly inwardly, while the shepherds loudly proclaimed and praised God outwardly. What does all that mean; what is that a description of? Perhaps it is a picture of the entire spectrum of belief ranging upward and outward as one proceeds, grows, in maturity from sheep to shepherd?

 

 

Amen