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In this lesson:
The story of Christmas. The seven-hundred-year-old prophecy in Micah 5:2 is fulfilled. Jesus is born! Study Tip: Don't forget to read the margin notes in blue. |
Shepherds visit the infant Jesus.
By the German Renaissance artist Matthias Grünewald (1475-1528). |
Where was:
Bethlehem
Meaning "bread of life, Bethlehem was originally called Ephrath (Genesis 35:19; 48:7). It was a small town in Judea five miles south of Jerusalem on the highway from Hebron to Egypt. We see in this passage, it was also called "the city of David." It is the birthplace of Jesus Christ as prophesied in Micah 5:2. Unfortunately, since Jesus was raised in Nazareth, many didn't know He was born in Bethlehem and didn't connect Him with the prophecy.
Bethlehem
Meaning "bread of life, Bethlehem was originally called Ephrath (Genesis 35:19; 48:7). It was a small town in Judea five miles south of Jerusalem on the highway from Hebron to Egypt. We see in this passage, it was also called "the city of David." It is the birthplace of Jesus Christ as prophesied in Micah 5:2. Unfortunately, since Jesus was raised in Nazareth, many didn't know He was born in Bethlehem and didn't connect Him with the prophecy.
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 2:1-20
The Messiah is born 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. 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:) 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. 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 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. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 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. |
Margin notes:
"Caesar Augustus." (2:1) - Caius Caesar Octavianus Augustus, the Roman emperor who ruled from 27 BC until his death in AD 14 at the age of seventy-six. "All the world should be taxed." (2:1) -"All the empire should be counted." This was a census, designed to help Rome count its subjects and tax them. "Roman historical records place the enrolment of Quirinius in AD 7 which was 10 or 12 years after Jesus was born. This historical discrepancy was for a long time troublesome to Biblical students. But in recent years ancient papyri have been found from which it is learned that Quirinius was twice governor of Syria. Luke expressly says it was "the first" enrolment. It has been found also that people were required to go to their ancestral homes for the census." ("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 490) "Cyrenius." (2:2) - The Greek form of the Roman name Publius Sulpicius Quirinius. "All went to be taxed." (2:3) - "All went to be registered." "Joseph also went up from Galilee." (2:4) - It was a seventy mile, three-day walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem. "He was of the house and lineage of David." (2:4) - Actually, both Joseph and Mary were descended from King David. "Being great with child." (2:5) - When Joseph and Mary left for Bethlehem, she was nine months pregnant. "She brought forth her firstborn son." (2:7) - The Messiah is born, as promised seven hundred years earlier in Isaiah 9:6. In every major religion, mankind reaches out to God. In Christianity, God reached out to mankind and gave us His Son. Additional note: Jesus was born as a man in Bethlehem, but He always existed as God (John 17:5). We shouldn't let Jesus' humble beginnings fool us. He will return in glory, wearing a golden sash and His face shining like the sun (Revelation 1:13-16). "Swaddling clothes." (2:7) - These are strips of cloth wrapped around babies to keep them warm. "Shepherds." (2:8) - Shepherds had no real homes, they lived a nomadic life and were regarded as second class citizens. In biblical times they weren't even allowed to testify in court. Interestingly, God chose to announce the greatest news in human history to lowly shepherds instead of the great religious leaders of the time. Also, the shepherds job was to tend to sheep, including the ones to be sacrificed. When Jesus was born, shepherds tended to Him, the last sacrifice. "Abiding in the field." (2:8) - Means, "living in the field." "The angel of the Lord came upon them." (2:9) - One angel visited the shepherds to announce Jesus' birth. See verse 2:13. "Sore afraid." (2:9) - "Greatly afraid." "I bring you good tidings." (2:10) - "I bring you good news." "For unto you is born." (2:11) - Jesus is born and so begins our Lord's ministry. For unto, "you" shows tells us that Jesus is a personal Savior. He came to save you and me, everyone who has faith, one person at a time. "The city of David." (2:11) - Bethlehem was called the "city of (King) David" because he was born there. "Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God." (2:13) - "Suddenly the angel was joined by a heavenly army of angels praising God." The sky must have been filled with angels. No wonder the shepherds dropped everything and rushed to find the newborn Messiah. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (2:14) - This verse, spoken by angels, is referred to as the "Gloria." "When they had seen it, they made known abroad." (2:17) - "When they had seen Him (Jesus), they told everyone." "All they that heard it wondered at those things." (2:18) - "Everyone who heard it was amazed." "Pondered them in her heart." (2:19) - Just like any loving mother, Mary held the memories of her child close to her heart (Luke 2:42-51). |
You can read more about the birth of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:18-25.
New Living Translation
Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.
4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.
7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified,
10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
11 The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.
18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished,
19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
The Birth of Jesus
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.
4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.
7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified,
10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
11 The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.
18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished,
19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city." (2:1-3)
"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." (2:6-7)
"And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (2:18-19)
"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." (2:15)
"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." (2:6-7)
"And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (2:18-19)
"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." (2:15)
Today's Question:
1. Why is it important that Jesus was descended from King David? (2:4)
When you start to obey the Bible, you start to understand the Bible.
1. Why is it important that Jesus was descended from King David? (2:4)
When you start to obey the Bible, you start to understand the Bible.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. It is important because the Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would be descended from King David (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 33:15; Ezekiel 37:24; Hosea 3:5). Since both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David, it proves that the prophecy, God's promise, was kept. God always keeps His promises. God also promised that Jesus will return, so prepare yourself.
Additional note: Each of the twenty kings who ruled in Jerusalem were from the "house and lineage of David."
Application thought for the day:
The peace on earth spoken of by angels (2:14) has arrived. It is peace with God, and it lasts forever. It can be found in the hearts of those who turn their life over to Jesus.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke