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.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him 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;)
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 the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Chapter 2 in the book of Luke in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a cornerstone of the New Testament narrative. It is a chapter of paramount importance, not only within the context of Luke's Gospel but also within the broader context of the Christian message. This chapter presents key events in the life of Jesus Christ, including His birth, His presentation at the temple, His childhood, and His early wisdom and understanding of His divine mission. The main themes of this chapter include the fulfillment of prophecy, the divine nature of Jesus, the importance of faith, and the relationship between humanity and the divine.
The chapter begins with a historical setting, during the reign of Caesar Augustus, when a decree was issued for a census of the entire Roman world. Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Joseph's ancestral home, to be registered. It was during this period that Mary gave birth to Jesus. This narrative is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it establishes the historical context of Jesus's birth, rooting the divine event in human history. Secondly, it fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem, as foretold in the Old Testament (Micah 5:2). This fulfillment of prophecy underscores the divine plan in Jesus's birth and life, and the fact that God's promises are trustworthy and true.
The humble circumstances of Jesus's birth, in a stable because there was no room at the inn, underscore the theme of humility that runs throughout Luke's Gospel. Despite being the Son of God, Jesus was born into a humble, ordinary family, highlighting the accessibility and relatability of the divine to humanity. The announcement of Jesus's birth to the shepherds by an angel of the Lord also plays a significant role. The shepherds, considered lowly and unimportant in society, are the first to receive the divine revelation of the Savior's birth. This indicates God's concern for the marginalized and the lowly, a theme that Luke consistently emphasizes in his Gospel.
The presentation of Jesus in the temple, as well as the prophecies made by Simeon and Anna, further confirm Jesus’s divine identity and mission. Simeon, a devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ, recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. He prophesied that Jesus would cause the rise and fall of many in Israel and would be a sign that would be spoken against. Anna, a prophetess, also recognized Jesus and gave thanks to God, speaking about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Both Simeon and Anna's recognition and prophecies about Jesus underscore the theme of discernment and recognition of the divine.
The narrative of Jesus's childhood and His visit to the temple at the age of twelve highlights His early wisdom and understanding of His divine mission. When Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions, they were astonished. His response to their worry, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?" (Luke 2:49, KJV), demonstrates His early awareness of His divine identity and mission. This event in Jesus’s life emphasizes the theme of Jesus’s divine wisdom and His unique relationship with God, His Father.
In conclusion, Chapter 2 of the book of Luke in the KJV Holy Bible is a critical chapter that lays the foundation for the understanding of Jesus's identity and mission. It emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy, the divine nature of Jesus, the importance of faith, and the relationship between humanity and the divine. Through the narratives of Jesus's birth, His presentation at the temple, His childhood, and His early wisdom, Luke presents a profound exploration of the mystery of the Incarnation, the accessibility of the divine to humanity, and the divine plan for salvation.
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