Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:39-40 – The Young Child Grows

Luke 2:39-40 – The Young Child Grows

LK2:39 Now when everything had been fulfilled according to YHWH’s law they returned to the village of Nazareth in Galilee. LK2:40 And so the child continued to grow stronger and stronger being filled with wisdom, and God’s unmerited favor was upon him.[1]

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[1] God’s unmerited favor was upon him: It is clear the young boy Jesus was not God. Luke does not deal with the flight to Egypt as other Gospels cover this history.

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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

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

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:25-35 – Simeon’s Blessing and Warning

Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 2:36-38 – Anna’s Thanks before Those Waiting

 

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Related articles

1. Luke 2:39-40
2. Jesus’ early life (Neville)
3. January 3 – So Now What? Lesson #1

Luke 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 1:26-38 – Gabriel’s Appearance to Mary

Luke 1:26-38 – Gabriel’s Appearance to Mary

LK1:26 Now in Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy the angel Gabriel was sent from God to the village of Galilee called Nazareth, LK1:27 to a virgin[1] [Isaiah 7:14] promised in marriage to a man named Joseph of David’s House. And the name of the virgin was Mary.[2] LK1:28 Approaching Mary, Gabriel said to her: “Greetings, favored one! The LORD is with you!” LK1:29 At this statement Mary was very puzzled and kept wondering what this greeting meant. LK1:30 Then the angel Gabriel said to Mary: “Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have found favor with God. LK1:31 And, behold, you will conceive in your womb and will give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus.[3] LK1:32 He will become a renowned person[4] and will be called a son of the Most High.[5] [Psalm 82:6] YHWH The God[6] will give to him David’s throne,[7] [Isaiah 9:7] LK1:33 and he will reign over Jacob’s House throughout the Ages. There will never be an end to his kingdom.” [Daniel 2:44] LK1:34 But in response Mary said to the angel Gabriel: “How can this be[8] since I have never known a man?” LK1:35 So the angel answered her: “Holy Pneuma[9] will come over you and the Most High’s power will overshadow you. As a result the One to be born will be also called Holy, God’s Son.[10] [Psalm 89:26] LK1:36 Now, look, your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age and this is now the sixth month of her so-called barrenness. LK1:37 For no message from God is impossible.”[11] [Genesis 18:14] LK1:38 Then Mary said: “Look, YHWH’s slave![12] May it all take place with me just as you say!” And the angel Gabriel left her.

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[1] Virgin: Possibly borrowed from Isaiah 7:14 where a PARTHENON is foretold. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew 1:23.

[2] Mary: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[3] Jesus: The traditional form of the Greek IESOUS here. The Hebrew form is Yeshua and means “Yehowah is Salvation.” It is the same as the name Joshua. Some argue over the exact form. Accents in pronunciation of foreign languages persist no matter the tongue. It seems unreasonable to many that God would insist every word translated from the Hebrew Bible must be spoken in a Hebrew accent. Even the accents of Jews differed in the 1^st Century just as they do in English and Spanish in different places.

[4] Renowned person: Or, great.

[5] A son of the Most High: Or, [the] Most High’s Son, Son of the Highest, Son of the Most High. The Greek is HUIOS YPSISTOU with the article. Compare a similar phrase at Psalm 82:6.

[6] YHWH The God: The Greek is KYRIOS HO THEOS without the article and may indicate the Tetragram originally occurred here.

[7] David’s throne: An echo of Isaiah 9:7. Compare also 2 Samuel 7:12; Psalm 132:11; Jeremiah 23:5.

[8] How can this be: Note Mary is not rebuked for her question while Zechariah was.

[9] Holy Pneuma: Or, holy spirit. Note the Pneuma is paralleled with God’s “power.” For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Holy Pneuma; compare 1 Corinthians 2:16.

[10] God’s Son: Or, the Son of God. The Greek is HUIOS THEOU with the article. Compare Psalm 2:7; 89:26.

[11] For no message from God is impossible: Or, word, declaration. It echoes Genesis 18:14. [Psalm 115:3]

[12] YHWH’s slave: Or, handmaid. The Greek is DOULE KYRIOU.

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Preceding

Luke – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Introduction to the Third Gospel

Luke 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 1:1-4 – A Factual and Logical Statement

Luke 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 1:5-7 – Zechariah and Elizabeth

Luke 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 1:8-17 – An Angel Appears to a Priest

Luke 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 1:18-22 – Struck Dumb For Disbelief

Luke 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 1:23-25 – Elizabeth Pregnant

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:1-6 – A Prophet Without Honor

CHAPTER SIX:
A TEACHING CIRCUIT, JOHN BEHEADED, 5000 FED,
AND A WALK ON THE SEA

[“No Leisure Time”]

Mark 6:1-6 – A Prophet Without Honor

|| Matthew 3:53-58;[1] Luke 4:16-30

MK6:1 Now Jesus departed from that place and went to his own land[2] with his disciples following him. MK6:2 When the Sabbath day came he began to teach in the synagogue, and the large audience was astounded, saying: “Where did he learn all these things? How does he come to possess such wisdom? And those miracles performed by his own hands? MK6:3 Is this not the carpenter,[3] the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Also, are these not his sisters?” And because of this many were stumbled.[4] MK6:4 However, Jesus said to them: “A prophet is honored everywhere except among his own relatives and in his own home.” MK6:5 As a result, Jesus was unable to do any powerful works there,[5] though he did lay his hands on a few sick persons, healing them.[6] MK6:6 Jesus was astonished at their unbelief, and so he went in a circuit teaching in other villages.

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[1] Matthew 3:53-58: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] His own land: Likely Nazareth.

[3] Carpenter: Or, wood-worker. Other accounts say, “son of the carpenter.” After the death of his ‘father’ Joseph, it is possible Jesus continued on his own as a carpenter to support his family. The Greek is TEKTON [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5045,artificer, craftsman] from which the modern “technician” comes.

[4] Stumbled: Or, offended, scandalized, a hindrance. The Greek is ESCANDALIZONTO.

[5] Jesus was unable to do any powerful works there: Or, KJV: he could there do no mighty works. This would seem unlikely for God.

[6] Lay his hands on a few sick persons, healing them: Compare James 5:14.

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Preceding

Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5 Review Questions

Matthew 13:53-58 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Where Did He Get Such Wisdom?

Matthew 13:53-58 – Where Did He Get Such Wisdom?

|| Mark 6:1-6

MT13:53 Now when Jesus concluded these parables he traveled elsewhere. MT13:54 Upon arriving in his fatherland[1] he began teaching the people in their synagogue.[2] They were astounded and said, “From where did this person receive this wisdom and dynamic works?[3] MT13:55 Is this not[4] the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary – as well and his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? MT13:56 And his sisters[5] – are they not all among us? So, from where[6] did this person receive all this?” MT13:57 As a result they were stumbled and scandalized[7] because of him. But, Jesus told them, “A prophet is not honored[8] in his own father-land, nor in his own house.”[9] MT13:58 As a result he performed no dynamic works there because of their lack of faith.[10]

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[1] In his fatherland: The Greek is PATRIDA from which comes the English “patriot.” Or, KJV: own country; WMS: home town; RHM: own city. Likely Nazareth, possibly a parallel with Luke 4:14-30.

[2] Synagogue: For information search the word synagogue. “Synagogue” occurs 67 times, most often in Acts. The Greek word, or a form of it, SYNAGOGE, does occur else where it is rendered “gathering” or “meeting.” It is virtually the same as ECCLESIA.

[3] Dynamic works: The Greek is DYNAMEIS. Or, GDSP: power to do these wonders; KJV: mighty works; NWT: powerful works.

[4] Is this not: Compare Mark 6:3; Luke 3:23; 4:22; John 6:42.

[5] His sisters: They are never named nor is the number given anywhere. See Mark 6:3.

[6] From where: This is possibly the hometown of Jesus, Nazareth, and likely these people saw Jesus grow up. Some are not aware of the experience when he was twelve and questioned the teachers in Jerusalem (Luke 2). However, there was nothing in Jesus upbringing so unusual that others would have suspected this would become the greatest man whoever lived. This may have been deliberate to protect the Nazarene’s anonymity.

[7] Stumbled and scandalized: The Greek is ESCANDALIZONTO and is used elsewhere. Or, KJV: offended; RHM: began to find cause of stumbling; TCNT: proved a hindrance; MOF: repelled by him. See the notes at Matthew 13:41.

[8] A prophet is not honored: Compare John 4:44.

[9] In his own house: Likely referring to the home he grew up in. Despite the angelic words to Joseph and Mary Jesus had remained so unspectacular that nothing betrayed his destiny. The prophet suggested this: “To the extent that many have stared at him in amazement-so much was the disfigurement as respects his appearance more than that of any other man and as respects his stately form more than that of the sons of mankind.… No stately form does he have, nor any splendor; and when we shall see him, there is not the appearance so that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 52:14; 53:3 NWT)

[10] Their lack of faith: Compare Matthew 8:10.

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Preceding

Matthew 2:1-6 – Astrologers and Priests in a Satanic Plot

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 8:18-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Two Would-be Followers

Matthew 12:38-42 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Signs in Jonah and the Queen of the South

Matthew 13 – Parables on Kingdom mysteries

Matthew 13:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable: the Soil and the Seed

Matthew 13:10-15 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Why Speak in Parables?

Matthew 13:16-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Happy Eyes and Ears

Matthew 13:18-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Seed and Soil

Matthew 13:24-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Field and the Harvest

Matthew 13:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:33 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Fermented Whole

Matthew 13:34-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Manner of Teaching Foretold

Matthew 13:36-43 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Zizania in the Field Explained

Matthew 13:44 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Treasure

Matthew 13:45-46 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Valuable Pearl

Matthew 13:47-50 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Parable of the Dragnet

Matthew 13:51-52 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Teacher Uses New and Old

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Additional reading

 

1. The Ecclesia
2. Congregate, to gather, to meet
3. Disciple of Christ counting lives and friends dear to them

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Related

1. “Salvation Is Of The Jews”
2. In the Era of the Urgent – Clinging to the Important
3. Rabbi Jesus
4. “Why A Rabbi?”, part 1
5. Why A Rabbi?: The Silent Years?
6. “Why A Rabbi?”: A Slight Detour
7. Jesus Said:
8. The True Way – March 03, 2018
9. The Miracles of the Prophets: Part 2-Prophet Isa (Jesus)
10. The Incomparable Christ
11. Wisdom of Christ is health – die to your old self

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:12-17 – Galilee Saw A Great Light

Matthew 4:12-17 – Galilee Saw A Great Light

|| Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:14

MT4:12 Now, having heard John [the Baptist] was arrested, Jesus retired into Galilee.[1] MT4:13 Leaving Nazareth[2] Jesus took up residence in Capernaum[3] by the sea in the districts of Zebulun[4] and Naphtali,[5] MT4:14 so that it might be fulfilled as it as spoken by Isaiah[6] the prophet, saying, MT4:15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, by the sea on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee[7] of the nations, MT4:16 those people[8] sitting in a region of death’s dark shadow saw a great Light rise upon them.” [Isaiah 9:1, 2] MT4:17 From that time[9] Jesus started preaching, saying, “Repent,[10] for the Realm of the heavens[11] has drawn near.”

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Wooden longboat in the large freshwater lake Sea of Chinneret (Lake of Gennesaret, or Lake Tiberias) Sea of Galilee, Tiberias.

[1] Galilee: The place occurs 76 times in the Bible with the region first mentioned at Numbers 34:11 (Joshua 20:7). The fresh water “lake” is also called the Sea of Chinnereth (Numbers 34:11), the Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1), and the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1). Jesus begins his ministry here and essentially ends it also at Galilee (John 21:1, 4-19). The lake is green/blue 13 miles long and 7 miles wide. “The density of the shoals of fish in the Sea of Galilee can scarcely be conceived by those who have not witnessed them. Frequently these shoals cover an acre or more of the surface and the fish, as they slowly move along in masses, are so crowded, with their back fins just appearing on the level of the water, that the appearance at a little distance is that of a violent shower of rain pattering on the surface.” (The Natural History of the Bible, H. B. Tristram, 1889, p. 285) All of Jesus’ faithful apostles came from this area.

[2] Nazareth: Probably just after Luke 4:28-30.

[3] Capernaum: The name means “Comforting Place.” The place occurs 16 times in the Christian Bible. Mark 2:1 calls this Jesus’ “home.” (“his house”)

[4] Zebulun: The territory named after a son of Israel occurs 48 times in the Bible with the first at Genesis 30:20. Compare Psalm 68:27. The name means perhaps “Toleration” or “Lofty Abode.” Compare Revelation 7:8.

[5] Naphtali: The name means “My Wrestlings.” The territory named after a son of Israel occurs 55 times in the Bible with the first at Genesis 30:8. Compare Revelation 7:6.

[6] Isaiah: Isaiah 9:1, 2. The prophet Isaiah is named 22 times in the Christian Bible (Matthew, 6; Mark, 2; Luke, 2; John, 4; Acts, 3; Romans, 5). In addition to direct quotations there are many allusions which are subtle paraphrases (Compare John 5:29 with Isaiah 26:19 LXX).

[7] Galilee: A prophecy indicating where Messiah would begin his ministry. It is in this area where the Nazarene sees his greatest fruitage – the foundation of Christianity.

[8] Those people: Note Acts 1:11; 2:7. We have a great spiritual debt to these folks.

[9] From that time: About a year after John the Baptist began his own ministry.

[10] Repent: The first words of the “Gospel” in the mouth of Jesus. Repentance is part of the Lord’s Gospel.

[11] Realm of the heavens: Or, “kingdom of the heavens.” The meaning is two fold: a) the King is present; and, b) the opportunity to enter the Nazarene’s realm of profession by confessing him as Lord.

Capernaum, Sea of Galilee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Preceding

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:1-4 A Wilderness Temptation

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:5-7 – A Temptation to Test God

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:8-11 – A Temptation to Gain World Rule

Next:

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:18-22 – The Calling of the First Disciples

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:23-25 – Kingdom Preaching and Healing Draws Crowds

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Additional reading

1. Invitation for the Studyday about Isaiah Messenger of joy
2. God showing how far He is willing to go to save His children
3. John 4 exhortation: The one that broke the mould
4. Repentance and conversion are not milestones which we pass on the way of life and never see again
5. Salvation, Baptism and Re-baptism
6. Together tasting a great promisse
7. God receives us on the basis of our faith
8. Doest thou well to be Angry?

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Further reading

1. Man’s true destiny
2. My People Do Not Know
3. The carnal mind – January 25, 2017
4. We Have Sinned
5. God’s Plumb Line
6. Surrender
7. Having Faith in God 
8. Scripture at Sunrise 2.7.2017
9. God’s Faithful Are Forever Blessed
10. Only Jesus Will Give You Eternal Life
11. Choose good over evil – February 01, 2017
12. What is your goal in publishing Christian Pharisees?
13. Our God is a Holy God
14. Two Selves: One Cannot Be Improved, the Other is Perfect in Christ (Part 1)
15. Repent
16. “Repent and Believe in the Good News”
17. Repentance is More than saying I’m Sorry
18. Am I Wired To Repent?
19. Embracing Repentance
20. Hold Fast In The Lord and Repent
21. Repent While You Can
22. Guilt — Why won’t it go away?
23. How Does One Repent?
24. Ask The Lord To Cast Away Your Sins
25. Jesus sends you out for your sake
26. Living in the Light
27. Why A Christian Should Not Say “This” To A Non-Christian – Part II
28. Do You Really Love Jesus?
29. Stones Into Bread
30. 3rd Sunday After Epiphany, January 22, 2017
31. Third Sunday of Epiphany 2017 – Matthew 4:21-22
32. 40 days
33. 40 days and 40 nights
34. Jesus Keeps Walking, God Keeps Moving
35. Light to the Nations?
36. Follow
37. Follow Me
38. Invited To Follow
39. Immediate
40. Repentance – Sermon on Matthew 4:12-23
41. Jesus calls his first disciples
42. Answering the Call (Mt 4:12-23)
43. Called Together
44. What Does ‘Fish for Men’ Mean?
45. Are You Really Following?
46. Faith & Fisherman
47. Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

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Related articles

• Sunday reflection: Matthew 4:12 – 23
• Daily Mass: Following Christ in the face of opposition. Catholic Inspiration
• Life and death…choose Life!
• Distinguishing Between Biblical Vs Man-Made Doctrine
• Your Word for This Day: “Rest in your True Position”
• Gospel-Centered Reading of Psalms
• Who Do You Say He Is? – Sunday Thought For The Day
• John 14.5 John – Do you want there to be a God?
• Sunday, 8 January 2017 : Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (Gospel Reading)

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