Luke 2:10-11

Context

Chapter 2 of Luke opens with the account of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem in response to the census decree of the Roman emperor Augustus. There Mary gives birth to the infant Jesus and lays him in a manger. An angel of the Lord then appears to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks in the fields by night. This passage records the angel's words to the frightened shepherds. The angel gives them a sign (a mark by which they may recognize the child): a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (Luke 2:12). Afterward a heavenly host praises God (Luke 2:13-14), and the shepherds go to Bethlehem to find the child.

Interpretation

• Focus on the three titles: Many commentators regard the three titles given to Jesus in this passage as a summary of Luke's Christology (the teaching about who Christ is). "Savior" means one who saves; "Christ" means the anointed one and corresponds to the Hebrew "Messiah"; and "Lord" renders the Greek kyrios. Kyrios is also the word used to render the name of God in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint).
• Fulfillment of the Davidic covenant: "The city of David" refers to Bethlehem. The expression is understood to signify the fulfillment of the Old Testament promise that the Messiah would come from the line of David.
• Contrast with the Roman emperor: Augustus was called "savior" in his day, and inscriptions celebrating his birth as "good news" are reported to survive. Some scholars see in this passage an implicit contrast: the true Savior is not the emperor but the child in the manger.
• Focus on "this day" and "unto you": Luke repeatedly speaks of salvation taking place "this day" (Luke 4:21; 19:9). Preachers also often emphasize that the news was delivered first to shepherds, who occupied a lowly place in society.

Questions of Application

There is little controversy among denominations over this passage. Interpreters do differ, however, on whether "all people" refers to the people of Israel or to all humanity. Some take it to mean Israel, since in Luke's Gospel "people" usually refers to Israel. Others connect it with Simeon's description of the child as "a light to lighten the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32) and read it more broadly as news addressed to all humanity. It is also frequently noted that the passage mentions neither the date nor the season of the birth, so the December 25 date of Christmas does not derive from this text.

In the Korean Church

In Korean churches of all denominations, this passage is frequently used for Scripture reading at Christmas services and Christmas Eve programs and as a text for Christmas sermons. The phrase "good tidings of great joy" in particular is often cited to explain the meaning of the gospel.

Related Passages

• Luke 2:14
• Isaiah 9:1-7
• Micah 5:2
• Matthew 1:22-23
• Luke 1:26-35