Luke 2 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Luke 2 |
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chapter 3 →
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Luke 2:1–7 in the original King James Version showing verse 2 parenthetical.
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| Book | Gospel of Luke |
| Category | Gospel |
| Christian Bible part | New Testament |
| Order in the Christian part | 3 |
Luke 2 is the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. It tells the famous story of Jesus's birth and some important events from his childhood. Many people read parts of this chapter during Christmas celebrations. This chapter is traditionally believed to have been written by Luke the Evangelist, who traveled with Paul the Apostle.
Contents
- The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1–7)
- Angels and Shepherds (Luke 2:8–20)
- Jesus is Circumcised and Named (Luke 2:21)
- Jesus is Presented at the Temple (Luke 2:22–38)
- Jesus's Early Childhood in Nazareth (Luke 2:39–40)
- The Boy Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
- Jesus's Later Childhood and Youth (Luke 2:51–52)
- Uses of Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1–7)
The Gospel of Luke begins this chapter by explaining why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The powerful Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered a census (a count of all people) across the entire Roman Empire. This census was for everyone to register, and some translations suggest it was also for taxes.
Because of this order, Joseph and Mary, who lived in Nazareth, had to travel to Bethlehem. Bethlehem was the hometown of Joseph's ancestor, King David. While they were in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to her son, Jesus. She wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger (a feeding trough for animals). This was because there was no room for them in the inn or guest room.
Angels and Shepherds (Luke 2:8–20)
After Jesus was born, Luke's Gospel tells us about some shepherds who were watching their flocks in fields nearby. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them! The shepherds were very scared, but the angel told them not to be afraid.
The angel brought them "good news of great joy" for everyone. The angel announced that a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, had been born that day in Bethlehem, the "town of David." The angel told them they would find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Then, many more angels appeared with the first angel. This "heavenly host" praised God, saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
After the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds quickly went to Bethlehem. They found Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus, just as the angel had told them. The shepherds then told everyone what they had seen and heard about Jesus. Afterward, they returned to their flocks, praising God. It's important that this special message was given to shepherds, who were not considered important people in society at that time.
Jesus is Circumcised and Named (Luke 2:21)
Eight days after his birth, Joseph and Mary had their baby circumcised. This was a Jewish tradition. They also officially named him Jesus, just as the angel Gabriel had told Mary to do before he was born.
Jesus is Presented at the Temple (Luke 2:22–38)
After 40 days, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. This was to follow a Jewish law from the time of Moses. According to this law, a mother needed to be purified after giving birth. They also presented Jesus to God, as he was their firstborn son. For their sacrifice, they brought two doves or two young pigeons, which was an option for families who could not afford a lamb.
While at the Temple, they met two special people: Simeon and Anna.
Simeon's Prophecy
Simeon was a righteous man who had been waiting for the Messiah (Christ) to come. God had promised him that he would not die before seeing the Christ. When he saw Jesus, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God. He said that Jesus was the salvation God had prepared for all people, a light for the Gentiles (non-Jews) and glory for Israel.
Simeon also gave a special message to Mary. He told her that Jesus was destined to cause many in Israel to rise and fall. He also said that a "sword will pierce your own soul too," meaning Mary would experience great sorrow because of Jesus.
Anna the Prophetess
Anna was a very old prophetess (a woman who spoke for God). She was a widow who spent all her time at the Temple, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. When she saw Jesus, she also praised God and spoke about him to everyone who was waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Jesus's Early Childhood in Nazareth (Luke 2:39–40)
After all these events in Jerusalem, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee. The Bible says that Jesus grew up there. He became strong and wise, and God's favor was upon him. The Gospel of Luke does not tell us many stories about Jesus's childhood, unlike some other ancient writings.
The Boy Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
The Gospel of Luke shares the only story we have about Jesus's childhood in the Bible. When Jesus was twelve years old, his family traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover festival, as they did every year.
After the festival was over, Joseph and Mary started their journey home with a large group of relatives and friends. They thought Jesus was with someone else in their group. After a full day of travel, they realized Jesus was not with them!
They immediately went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days of searching, they finally found him in the Temple. Jesus was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers.
His parents were very worried and upset. Mary asked him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you!" Jesus replied, "Why were you searching for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" (or "doing my Father's business"). His parents did not fully understand what he meant at the time.
Jesus's Later Childhood and Youth (Luke 2:51–52)
After this event, Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents and obeyed them. The Bible says that Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and in physical stature. He also grew in favor with both God and people.
The next time we read about Jesus in the Gospel of Luke is in Chapter 3, when he is about 30 years old and is baptized by John the Baptist.
Uses of Luke 2
Parts of Luke 2, especially verses 1–19, are often read or acted out in Nativity plays during Christmas celebrations. Verses 29–32, known as the Nunc Dimittis, are also used in Christian church services, like Evening Prayer in the Church of England.
The words from Luke 2, specifically verses 8–11 and 13–14 from the King James Version, are used as text in the famous English musical work "Messiah" by George Frideric Handel.
