PART IV THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE BAPTIST AND OF JESUS
Reading edition
Probably B.C. 7 to A.D. 7
§§ 4-19. These sections include the annunciations, the birth, infancy, and childhood of both John and Jesus.
§ 4. THE ANNUNCIATIONa OF THE BIRTH OF THE BAPTIST TO ZACHARIAS
Jerusalem, in the Temple. Probably B.C. 7 Luke 1:5-25b
5 There was in the days of Herod, king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now 1well stricken in years. 8 Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the 2temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor 3strong drink [see Num. 6:3; Judg. 13:4-6; 1 Sam. 1:11]; and he shall be filled with the 4Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God. 17 And he shall 5go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children [see Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6], and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife 6well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God [see Dan. 8:16; 9:21]; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings. 20 And behold, thou shalt be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass, because thou believedst not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled 7while he tarried in the 2temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the 2temple: and he continued making signs unto them, and remained dumb. 23 And it came to pass, when the days of his ministration were fulfilled, he departed unto his house. 24 And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord done unto me in the days wherein he looked upon me, to take away my reproach among men.
1 Gr. advanced in their days.
2 Or, sanctuary.
3 Gr. sikera.
4 Or, Holy Spirit: and so throughout all the Gospels.
5 Some ancient authorities read come nigh before his face.
6 Gr. advanced in her days.
7 Or, at his tarrying.
a There are three annunciations: (1) to Zacharias § 4, (2) to Mary § 5, (3) to Joseph § 9. Luke gives the first two and Matthew the third. The Angel Gabriel is named by Luke (1:19, 26), but Matthew simply has "an angel of the Lord" (1:20).
b It is certain that Luke tells the infancy stories from the standpoint of Mary while Matthew writes from the standpoint of Joseph. Matthew gives the public account while Luke tells the private story from Mary herself (Ramsay, Was Christ Born at Bethlehem? p. 79). Luke could have seen Mary, if still alive, or could have obtained it from one of Mary's circle either orally or in manuscript form. Some scholars even suggest "Gospel of Mary" and even, "Gospel of the Baptist" as a written source for Luke in 1:5-2:52. Sanday (The Life of Christ in Recent Research, p. 166) says: "These two chapters—whatever the date at which they were first committed to writing—are essentially the most archaic thing in the whole New Testament." Certainly Luke reveals the use of Aramaic or Hebrew sources by the sudden changes in his style from 1:1-4. Luke, if familiar with the current account as seen in Matthew, apparently felt that he owed it to Mary to record her story of her great experience.
§ 5. THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Nazareth. Probably B.C. 7 or 6 Luke 1:26-38
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art 1highly favoured, the Lord is with thee.2 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found 3favour with God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS [see Isa. 7:14]. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David [see 2 Sam. 7:12-17]: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob 4for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also 5that which 6is to be born 7shall be called holy [see Ex. 13:12], the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that 8was called barren. 37 For no word from God shall be void of power [see Gen. 18:14]. 38 And Mary said, Behold, the 9handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
1 Or, endued with grace.
2 Many ancient authorities add blessed art thou among women. (See ver. 42.)
3 Or, grace.
4 Gr. unto the ages.
5 Or, the holy thing which is to be born shall be called the son of God.
6 Or, is begotten.
7 Some ancient authorities insert of thee.
8 Or, is.
9 Gr. bondmaid.
§ 6. THE SONGa OF ELISABETH TO MARY UPON HER VISIT
Hill Country of Judea Luke 1:39-45
39 And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; 40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; 42 and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me? 44 For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that 1believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord.
1 Or, believed that there shall be.
a This hymn or psalm springs from the omen to Elisabeth.
§ 7. THE MAGNIFICAT OF MARY
Hill Country of Judea Luke 1:46-56
46 And Mary said,
My soul doth magnify the Lord [see 1 Sam. 2:1-10],
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath looked upon the low estate of his 1handmaiden:
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed [see 1 Sam 1:11].
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;
And holy is his name [see 1 Sam. 2:2].
50 And his mercy is unto generations and generations
On them that fear him [see Ps. 103:17].
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm;
He hath scattered the proud 2in the imagination of their heart [see 1 Sam. 2:4; Ps. 89:10].
52 He hath put down princes from their thrones,
And hath exalted them of low degree [see Job 5:11; 12:19].
53 The hungry he hath filled with good things;
And the rich he hath sent empty away [see Ps. 107:9].
54 He hath holpen Israel his servant,
That he might remember mercy [see Isa. 41:8-9]
55 (As he spake unto our fathers)
Toward Abraham and his seed for ever [see Gen. 17:7; Mic. 7:20].
56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house.
1 Gr. bondmaiden.
2 Or, by.
§ 8. THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE BAPTIST, AND HIS DESERT LIFE
Hill Country of Judea. B.C. 7 or 6 Luke 1:57-80
57 Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all that heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, What then shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people [see Ps. 72:18; 111:9],
69 And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of his servant David [see 1 Sam. 2:10; Ps. 18:3]
70 (As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets which have been since the world began),
71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us [see Ps. 106:10];
72 To shew mercy towards our fathers,
And to remember his holy covenant;
73 The oath which he sware unto Abraham our father [see Gen. 17:7; Lev. 26:42; Ps. 105:8; Mic. 7:20],
74 To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies
Should serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High:
For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways [see Mal. 3:1];
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people
In the remission of their sins,
78 Because of the 1tender mercy of our God,
2Whereby the dayspring from on high 3shall visit us [see Mal. 4:2],
79 To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death;
To guide our feet into the way of peace [see Isa. 8:22; 9:2].
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.a
1 Or, heart of mercy.
2 Or, Wherein.
3 Many ancient authorities read hath visited us.
a Dwell on this summary statement as to John's retired life in the wild regions of Judea, whence he will come forth thirty years later.
§ 9. THE ANNUNCIATION TO JOSEPH OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Nazareth Matt. 1:18-25
18 Now the 1birth 2of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the 3Holy Ghost. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is 4conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son [see Isa. 7:14],
And they shall call his name 5Immanuel;
which is, being interpreted, God with us. 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.
1 Or, generation: as in ver. 1 in § 3.
2 Some ancient authorities read of the Christ.
3 Or, Holy Spirit.
4 Gr. begotten.
5 Gr. Emmanuel.
§ 10. THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Bethlehem. Probably B.C. 6 or 5 Luke 2:1-7
1 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the 1world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city.a 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
1 Gr. inhabited earth.
a Observe how the ruler of the civilized world is unconsciously bringing it about that the Messiah, the son of David, shall be born at Bethlehem, though his mother's home was Nazareth. All the previous history of Rome and of Israel gathers about this manger. As to Quirinius, and as to the probable time of the Saviour's birth, see note 6 at the end of the book. The vindication of Luke's historical statements in these verses is one of the triumphs of modern research, as is shown in that note.
§ 11. THE PRAISE OF THE ANGELS AND THE HOMAGE OF THE SHEPHERDS
Near Bethlehem Luke 2:8-20
8 And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping 1watch by night over their flock. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: 11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is 2Christ the Lord. 12 And this is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praisinga God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth 3peace among 4men in whom he is well pleased.
15 And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this 5thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18 And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these 6sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
1 Or, night-watches.
2 Or, Anointed Lord.
3 Many ancient authorities read peace, good pleasure among men.
4 Gr. men of good pleasure.
5 Or, saying.
6 Or, things.
a The Gloria in Excelsis.
§ 12. THE CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS
Bethlehem Luke 2:21
21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him [see Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3], his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
§ 13. THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE WITH THE HOMAGE OF SIMEON AND ANNA
Jerusalem Luke 2:22-38
22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord) [see Ex. 13:2, 12, 15; Lev. 12:1-8], 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. 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,a
29 Now lettest thou thy 1servant depart, O 2Lord,
According to thy word, in peace;
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation [see Isa. 52:10],
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 A light for 3revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of thy people Israel [see Isa. 42:6; 49:6].
33 And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising up of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; 35 yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was 4of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow even for fourscore and four years), which departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
1 Gr. bondservant.
2 Gr. Master.
3 Or, the unveiling of the Gentiles.
4 Gr. advanced in many days.
a The four New Testament psalms, given by Luke, breathe the atmosphere of Old Testament piety, quite in contrast to the formalism of the Pharisees and yet thoroughly Jewish in background and Christian in sentiment. But it is primitive Christian feeling. Section 7 gives the Magnificat of Mary in response to the song of Elisabeth in § 6. In § 8 we have the Benedictus of Zacharias and in § 13 The Nunc Dimittis of Simeon.
§ 14. MAGI VISIT THE NEW-BORN KING OF THE JEWS
Jerusalem and Bethlehem Matt. 2:1-12
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, 1wise men from the east [see Num. 24:17] came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 2Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written 3by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah:
For out of thee shall come forth a governor [see Mic. 5:1-2],
Which shall be shepherd of my people Israel.
7 Then Herod privily called the 1wise men, and learned of them carefully 4what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out carefully concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him. 9 And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
1 Gr. Magi. Compare Esther 1:13; Dan. 2:12.
2 Or, Where is the King of the Jews that is born?
3 Or, through.
4 Or, the time of the star that appeared.
§ 15. THE CHILD JESUS CARRIED TO EGYPT, AND THE CHILDREN AT BETHLEHEM SLAIN
Probably B.C. 5 Matt. 2:13-18
13 Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; 15 and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son [see Hos. 11:1]. 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the 1wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had carefully learned of the 1wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken 2by Jeremiah the prophet, saying [see Jer. 31:15],
18 A voice was heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
And she would not be comforted, because they are not.
1 Gr. Magi.
2 Or, through.
§ 16. THE CHILD BROUGHT FROM EGYPT TO NAZARETH
Probably B.C. 4
Matt. 2:19-23 Luke 2:39
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child's life. 21 And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee, 23 and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken 1by the prophets,a that he should be called a Nazarene. 39 And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
1 Or, through.
a Cf. Isa. 11:1 where the Messiah is called Netzer, a Branch, though Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament.
§ 17. THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS AT NAZARETH
Probably B.C. 4 to A.D. 7 Luke 2:40
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, 1filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.a
1 Gr. becoming full of wisdom.
a This simple statement of Luke tells more in one sentence than all the apocryphal Gospels of the Infancy, with their silly legends about the miraculous prowess of the child Jesus.
§ 18. THE VISIT OF THE BOY JESUS TO JERUSALEM WHEN TWELVE YEARS OLD
Probably A.D. 7 or 8 Luke 2:41-50
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover [see Ex. 23:14-17; Deut. 16:1-8]. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the 1doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47 and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were astonished: and his mother said unto him, 2Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be 3in my Father's house? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
1 Or, teachers.
2 Gr. Child.
3 Or, about my Father's business.
§ 19. THE EIGHTEEN YEARSa AT NAZARETH
Probably A.D. 7 to A.D. 26 (or 6 to 25) Luke 2:51-52
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these 1sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and 2stature, and in 3favour with God and men [see 1 Sam. 2:26].
1 Or, things.
2 Or, age.
3 Or, grace.
a After the return to Nazareth, we know nothing of Jesus' life at that place beyond the general statements of Luke 2:52, with the knowledge and dispositions indicated in the narrative of § 18 and the fact that he was a carpenter, until he comes forth to be baptized by John, his forerunner. The social and political conditions of this period in Galilee are described by Edersheim, D. Smith, and other writers on the Life of Jesus, and briefly stated in Broadus's Commentary on Matthew, p. 30 f. Dwell on the general statement of Luke 2:52. Other passages throw light on the life in Nazareth as to habits of worship (Luke 4:16), the family group of brothers and sisters (Mark 6:3 = Matt. 13:55 f.), work as carpenter (ibid.). A helpful book on this obscure period is Ramsay's The Education of Christ.