Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:21-24 – Presenting the Baby to God

Luke 2:21-24 – Presenting the Baby to God

LK2:21 Now when eight days[1] had passed it was time for the infant to be circumcised and then to be named “Jesus” just as the angel had stated before he was even conceived in the womb. LK2:22 So when the period of their purification[2] [Leviticus 12:2] was completed according to the Law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the LORD,[3] LK2:23 just as it has been written in YHWH’s law:[4] “Every male opening the womb will be called holy to the LORD.” [Exodus 13:2, 12,15] LK2:24 And so they offered a sacrifice according to what the Law of YHWH[5] states: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[6] [Leviticus 12:8]

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[1] Eight days: The time when a baby’s blood coagulation is at its highest during life time.

[2] The period of their purification: Seven days. [Leviticus 12:2]

[3] The Lord: TO KYRIO.

[4] YHWH’s law: a Hebraism. [Exodus 13:9; 2 Chronicles 17:9; 34:14]

[5] The Law of YHWH: A Hebraism occurring first at 2 Kings 10:31. [Psalm 1:2; 19:7; 119:1]

[6] Pigeons: Indicating the family was poor

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“”Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal.”” (Ex 13:2 NIV)

“you are to give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD.” (Ex 13:12 NIV)

“When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’” (Ex 13:15 NIV)

“This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.” (Ex 13:9 NIV)

“They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went round to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.” (2Ch 17:9 NIV)

“While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD that had been given through Moses.” (2Ch 34:14 NIV)

“Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit.” (2Ki 10:31 NIV)

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Ps 1:2 NIV)

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” (Ps 19:7 NIV)

“[Aleph] Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.” (Ps 119:1 NIV)

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Preceding

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:1-7 – A Firstborn’s Birth In Bethlehem

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:8-14 – Angels and Shepherds in the Night

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:15-20 – Shepherds Find the Infant Christ

Matthew 19:3-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Grounds for Divorce

Matthew 19:3-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Grounds for Divorce – additional verses

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Additional reading

1. For getting to know Jesus
2. Why was Jesus circumcised at eight days old in accordance with Jewish law?

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Related

1. Each Child a Miracle
2. A Reflection for Tuesday 14 August 2018
3. God’s Secret Sign.
4. Signs and Symbols
5. Circumcision

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:15-20 – Shepherds Find the Infant Christ

Luke 2:15-20 – Shepherds Find the Infant Christ

LK2:15 Now when the angels departed from them to heaven the shepherds talked to one another: “Let us go up to Bethlehem now and see if this has really happened just as the LORD[1] has made known to us.” LK2:16 Quickly they arrived [in Bethlehem] and found both Mary and Joseph and the infant lying in the manger. LK2:17 Now as soon as they saw them they realized the [truth of the] message that had been made known to them regarding this child. LK2:18 So everyone that heard this was amazed regarding everything that had been reported by the shepherds. LK2:19 But Mary kept all these things in her memory[2] and pondered over them in her heart. LK2:20 Then the shepherds returned [to their flocks], glorifying and praising The God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it was told to them.

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[1] The Lord: The Greek is HO KYRIOS.

[2] Mary kept all these things in her memory: It is possible Luke interviewed Mary in her old age. If she had been a young girl of 14 when she gave birth to Jesus, Mary would have been about 45 when Luke was doing his research.

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Preceding

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:1-7 – A Firstborn’s Birth In Bethlehem

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:8-14 – Angels and Shepherds in the Night

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Additional reading

1. For those who believe Jesus is God
2. A secret to be reveiled

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Related

1. Luke’s Gospel-Chapter 2-Verses 15-20
2. Nobody slouched toward Bethlehem.
3. The Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 23, 2012
4. The nativity of the lord – mass at dawn – gospel-reading Luke-2:15-20
5. Christmas Day: 25 Dec – Luke 2:15-20 ~ treasure and think about these things
6. The Love of God within the Nativity – A Christmas Message 2017
7. Telling the True Story
8. 25th December – Christmas-day – the nativity of the lord – the mass at dawn – gospel-reading Luke 2:15-20
9. His Coming. Christmas Devotional. December 10.
10. December 15th: O Come Let Us Adore Him
11. Christmas Day: 25 Dec – Luke 2:15-20 ~ treasure and think about these things
12. Christmas Day, 25 Dec 2019 – Luke 2:15-20 ~ treasure and think about these things
13. Things to Ponder

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:8-14 – Angels and Shepherds in the Nigh

Luke 2:8-14 – Angels and Shepherds in the Night

LK2:8 Now there were shepherds[1] in the same area who were living outside keeping watch at night[2] over their flock. LK2:9 Then YHWH’s angel[3] appeared to them and YHWH’s glory[4] shone all around them and so they became frightened with a great fear. LK2:10 And the angel said to them: “Do not be frightened. For, behold, I declare to all of you a great joy for all the people. LK2:11 Because today there was born to you in David’s city a savior[5] who is Lord Messiah.[6] LK2:12 And this will be your sign – you will find an infant wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” LK2:13 Then suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of celestial armies[7] praising The God and saying: LK2:14 “Glory to God in the heights, and on earth peace among men of goodwill!”[8]

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[1] Shepherds: Though Luke compiled his Gospel thirty years later it is still possible he was able to interview one or more of these shepherds. Certainly he could get facts from their children who would have been told the story.

[2] Living outside keeping watch at night: Suggesting it was not yet winter and was mild enough in the fall to sleep outdoors.

[3] YHWH’s angel: A Hebraism that occurs often in the Old Testament. [Genesis 16:7; Exodus 3:2; Numbers 22:22]

[4] YHWH’s glory: A Hebraism. [Exodus 16:7, 10; 24:16, 17; 40:34, 35]

“and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?”” (Ex 16:7 NIV)

“While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked towards the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.” (Ex 16:10 NIV)

“16 and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.” (Ex 24:16-17 NIV)

“34 ¶ Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Ex 40:34-35 NIV)

[5] A savior: Or, deliverer. The Greek SOTER is without the article. The designation is used of God and judges of Israel. [Isaiah 19:20]

“It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a saviour and defender, and he will rescue them.” (Isa 19:20 NIV)

[6] Lord Messiah: Or, Christ, Anointed Lord, Messiah and Lord, Christ the Lord. [Daniel 9:24, 25]

“24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. 25 “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens’, and sixty-two ‘sevens’. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.” (Da 9:24-25 NIV)

[7] A multitude of celestial armies: Or, KJV: a multitude of the heavenly host; GDS: a throng of the heavenly army; AMP: an army of the troops of heaven.

[8] Peace among men of goodwill: Or, on earth peace, good will toward men; RSV: among men with whom he is pleased; ABU: peace toward men of his good pleasure; MON: among men who please him. [Isaiah 9:6] Compare Jesus’ use of Isaiah 61:2 at Luke 4:19.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa 9:6 NIV)

“to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,” (Isa 61:2 NIV)

“to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”” (Lu 4:19 NIV)

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Preceding

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:1-7 – A Firstborn’s Birth In Bethlehem

Matthew 1:18-25 – Genesis of Jesus Christ

Matthew 22:41-46 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus Asks a Trump Question

Matthew 24:4-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Answer: Part One – Beware Being Misled

The Climax of Matthew’s story

Mark 8:27-29 Simon Peter said Jesus is the Messiah,the Son of The Living God!

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Additional reading

1. Written to recognise the Promised One
2. Truth, doubt or blindness
3. Do not be afraid. Good news because a Saviour has been born
4. For Getting to know Jesus
5. The True Significance of Jesus’ Birth
6. The sent one from God
7. Jesus begotten Son of God #3 Messiah or Anointed one
8. Afraid to see the man of the heavens opened
9. No Other Name (But Jesus)
10. The saviour Jesus his human side
11. Today’s thought “outstretched arm of Jehovah” (February 01)
12. Memorizing wonderfully 51 Acts 2:22-38 Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God
13. Called My Son Out of Egypt
14. Anointing of Christ as Prophetic Rehearsal of the Burial rites
15. Let’s Think About Redemption Differently
16. As near to God as you want Him to be
17. Reason to preach #5 Trained to do it God’s way
18. Wishing lanterns and Christmas
19. Prayer theme for December: Pray for the coming of the Prince of Peace

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Related

1. A Message of Hope from a Minor Prophet (Christmas Eve Sermon, 12/24/13)
2. Luke’s Gospel-Chapter 2-Verses 8-14
3. Sermon on Luke 2:8-14
4. A Christmas Prayer – Luke 2:8-14
5. Have I Got News For You #adventbookclub – Day 21
6. Answer
7. God Offers Peace to All
8. A Journey to Bethlehem – Joy
9. Birth of Jesus Christ: Good news
10. The Reveal
11. March 19 Gathering: Anointed
12. TLIC Family-day – 50 – February 19 – anointed – 3
13. Good Grief, It’s Christmas
14. Charlie Brown Christmas
15. Was Jesus anointed at the home of Lazarus or Simon the Leper? / Christian Theology & Apologetics
16. @egwinspirational
17. Merry Christmas
18. “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
19. What Christmas is all about
20. The Meaning of Christmas…
21. ♣ What Is THE Meaning Of Christmas?
22. Let’s start talking to each other again!
23. Remind Me Again, Linus, What Is Christmas All About?
24. The True Meaning of Christmas (in which I quote Luke the Theologian via Charles Schultz)
25. The True Meaning of Christmas Christmas time is here Happiness and cheer Fun for all that children call Their favorite time of the year Christmas
26. ☆Merry Christmas!☆
27. December 14th: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
28. The Sunday Message
29. 2012 NRA Christmas Message – Part 2
30. Christmas Devotions: Angels
31. Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men?
32. Danger in the Manger!
33. Christmas: Peace to Those on Whom His Favor Rests
34. “Behind Every Cloud…”: Gen. 9.12-15; Luke 2.8-14; Acts 1.6-9; Rev. 1.7: An Advent Sermon

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:1-7 – A Firstborn’s Birth In Bethlehem

CHAPTER TWO:
THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JOHN AND JESUS

[“Birth and Growth of a Father’s Son”]
Key word: Christ

Luke 2:1-7 – A Firstborn’s Birth In Bethlehem

LK2:1 Now it occurred in those days[1] that a decree[2] was sent out from Caesar Augustus[3] to register[4] all the inhabitants of the land.[5] LK2:2 This was the first census during the time Quirinius[6] was governor of Syria. LK2:3 So everyone traveled to register in their individual towns. LK2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee and the village of Nazareth to Judea and David’s village called Bethlehem.[7] LK2:5 Because his family was of David’s genealogy he registered there with his pregnant fiancée[8] Mary. LK2:6 And it came about while they were there it became the time for her to give birth. LK2:7 She gave birth to a son – her firstborn[9] – and then she wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them at the inn.[10]

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[1] In those days: About 10 AD.

[2] Decree: The Greek is DOGMA.

[3] Caesar Augustus: The Roman Emperor died in 15 AD.

[4] Register: Or, taxed, census, registration.

[5] All the inhabitants of the land: The word may refer only to Judea.

[6] Quirinius: His full name is Publius Sulpicius Quirinius. Tacitus the Roman historian mentions him: “[Quirinius] sprang from the municipality of Lanuvium – had no connection; but as an intrepid soldier and an active servant he won a consulate under the deified Augustus, and, a little later, by capturing the Homonadensian strongholds beyond the Cilician frontier, earned the insignia of triumph,… adviser to Gaius Caesar during his command in Armenia.” [The Annals, III, XLVIII)] He died 21 AD. Josephus mentions him: “Quirinius, a Roman senator who had proceeded through all the magistracies to the consulship and a man who was extremely distinguished in other respects, arrived in Syria, dispatched by Caesar to be governor of the nation and to make an assessment of their property. Coponius, a man of equestrian rank, was sent along with him to rule over the Jews with full authority.” Josephus mentions that he ordered a taxation which may have caused the need for the census. This led to a Jewish revolt. [Jewish Antiquities, XVIII, 1, 2, 3, 4 [i, 1]] For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Acts 5:37. Another commentary states: “Quirinius stood in exactly the same relation to Varus, the governor of Syria, as at a later time Vespasian did to Mucianus. Vespasian conducted the war in Palestine while Mucianus was governor of Syria; and Vespasian was legatus Augusti, holding precisely the same title and technical rank as Mucianus.” [The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge 1957, Vol. IX, pp. 375, 376] This and other histories and archaeological discovers proves the existence of such a person.

[7] Bethlehem: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew 2:6. [Micah 5:2]

“”But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”” (Mic 5:2 NIV)

[8] Fiancée: Or, espoused wife, betrothed, engaged, having been given in marriage. The state of engagement made Mary his woman or wife. Though they were not married by the Jewish ritual of the wedding feast, there was no legal condemnation under the Law of Moses.

[9] Firstborn: Or, her first child. The Greek is PROTOTOKON, the first born of a woman. Thus, inferring she had other children. [Matthew 1:25]

“and Joseph did not know Mary until after she gave birth to a son. Joseph called his name ‘Jesus.’” (Mt 1:25 MHM)

[10] Inn: Or, lodging house. This may have been a guestroom, however it may have been a caravanary – a place where those on the trade routes stopped for over night rest. Surely it was primitive and one thing dominated the sense – the odor of animals.

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Preceding

Story of Jesus’ birth begins long before the New Testament

Luke 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 1 Review Questions on Chapter One

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Additional reading

1. Jahushua, Joshua, Jeshua or Jesus an Immanuel or God with us an incarnated God or a human being?
2. Memorizing wonderfully 25 Tabernacle of David Out of Bethlehem
3. A season of gifts
4. Thought for the Christmas time: A sense of history
5. Jesus begotten Son of God #2 Christmas and pagan rites
6. The place where Jesus was brought up
7. In a few days time it will be 2020 years ago that the Messiah was born

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Related

1. Do you remember?
2. Unexpected Guests: Devotional Day 4
3. Monday 12.23.13 A Birth in Bethlehem
4. Unto Us a Child is Born #adventbookclub – Day 25
5. “Jesus Was Born of a Woman” Luke 2:1-7| Sermon Audio
6. The decision
7. Martha #adventbookclub
8. Martha iii #adventbookclub
9. Monday, December 22: A Child is Born
10. The Journey
11. FBC Advent Devotional
12. No Room #Advent
13. Messages for Christmas
14. A New Hope – Luke 2:1-7
15. The Innkeeper and the Common Man (Luke 2:1-7)
16. Wrapped in swaddling clothes
17. On a Silent Night
18. How Jesus (un)dressed for success
19. A Mysterious Sign from God (Luke 2:1-7)
20. No Place
21. December 25th: Mary, Did You Know?
22. 9th Day of Christmas: Wed, 02 Jan – Luke 2:1-7 ~ The Birth of Jesus
23. No Room in the Inn
24. Where can peace be found? (Luke 2:1-7)
25. Mary’s Story

Turbulent period gave us hands full of work

In 2020, we experienced the first disturbance in our daily work. Corona brought a lot of people in isolation and with a lot of physical as well as mental problems, who requested our attention and help.
With providing help to the needy, we did not get to do much writing, beyond answering many letters.

Then again, the summer of 2021 brought a flood of water over eastern Belgium causing so much damage that we went for months with several brothers and sisters there to help clean up the mess.

But not only Belgians demanded our attention. There was a large influx of war refugees first from Syria and then from Ukraine, who needed shelter and counselling.

Besides practical assistance, a lot of things came our way administratively, as a lot of people had questions about what was going on and whether these might be portents of things to worry about or a run-up to World War III.

Answering the many letters and people contacting us on social media kept us from publishing further articles on WordPress.

The news from Google that they were going to change their sites gave us other worries. Because our sites were too old and overloaded or voluminous, they could not be automatically transferred to the new sites form. We were therefore forced to redesign our websites, which in turn required a lot of work. That manual changeover and new layout provision, therefore, required a lot of time, which then kept us from publishing on this WordPress platform.
When we finally got around to publishing the sites “Belgian Biblestudents -Belgische Bijbelstudenten” and “Biblestudents – Bijbelstudenten“, other work came to demand our attention.

After several months of silence on this site, we now hope to get back on track to continue our regular publication of excerpts from the Bible.

After a year of the war in Ukraine, we still provide shelter and guidance to Ukrainians, but still, see the opportunity to pick up the thread and post articles here again from now on.

Hopefully, we may find our former readers back here and may hopefully appeal to new readers as well.

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Additional reading

1. Looking at 2021 in a nutshell
2. Expecting the E.U. to stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan
3. Afghanistan – A full-scale humanitarian crisis
4. After ten years of horror still no solution and peace for Syria
5. What 2022 brought to us and looking forward to 2023
6. Restrictions in Russia because of sanctions from the West for peace mission in Ukraine.
7. In Moldova, Ukrainian Jewish refugees anxiously wait out the war in synagogues and Jewish centers
8. Christians on the Left Statement on Ukraine April 2022