This post accompanies my video readying of Luke 2 on the Circular Grace YouTube channel. You can watch it here.
My Thoughts and Links to Published Commentary
The angel said, 'Fear not' because people seem always to respond in fear at the site of an angel in angelic form. I wondered about those words in the wider context of the great blessing the angel was announcing. For most of us the greatest fear we encounter is the knowledge that we or our loved ones will face death in the end. The birth of Jesus brings a message of salvation to all people. Those who accept the salvation Jesus offers need not fear. Jesus takes away all of our fear of we allow Him into our lives and place our trust in Him. Luke 2:10(kjv)
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.
Jesus was born at a point in history when there was a great deal to fear. The situation in Israel was that the Jews had been placed under bandage to the Romans who ruled them harshly. The Jews at the mercy of oppressors is a familiar theme of the Old Testament. God removes His blessings from the Jews when they walk away from His righteousness and no matter how many times God blessed them, they walked away. I recommend reading Malachi for a summary of the status of God's relationship with the Jews prior to the birth of Jesus. Malachi prophesied 400 years before Christ but they didn't listen and things only got worse. Malachi 1:6-8 (KJV)
6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
That's from the beginning of Malachi, read on and you'll hear him proclaim a coming Saviour.
The commentaries provide a lot of clarity and background information on the circumstances in Israel at the time a Saviour was Born.
Enduring Word Commentary
The first snippet from the Enduring Word commentary, reminds us of an important truth.
a. It came to pass in those days: Luke clearly tells us that he recorded actual history and real events. This is not “once upon a time.” These are not fanciful stories of Zeus and Apollo on Mount Olympus. This is real.
For believers, the story is real and we don't need to know background information to strengthen our faith. Knowing a little background information isn't about giving us more faith but can help us understand the story a little better. This commentary provides a lot of historical context and that helps explain a lot of the references made and also the general atmosphere of life for Jews and Gentiles at the time Jesus was born. Here's a little background information on who Caesar Augustus was.
i. He was born with the name Octavian, named after his father. His grandmother was the sister of Julius Caesar, and being a talented young man, Octavian came to the attention of his great uncle. Julius Caesar eventually adopted Octavian as his son, and he was made his official heir in 45 B.C.
This commentary provides quite a history lesson on the historical circumstances and political atmosphere Jesus was born into. Many details and facts I hadn't heard before. It certainly helps to explain the attitude to the Jews who were ruled by Caesar Augustus. Follow the link to dive in to this incredibly full verse by verse commentary.
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/luke-2/
Blue Letter Bible Commentary
There's a wonderful opening to this commentary. Simple and to the point.
The fulness of time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law; and it was foretold that he should be born at Bethlehem. Now here we have an account of the time, place, and manner of it.
Time, place and manner of it. What a succinct introduction to the theme of Luke's Gospel! This commentary, like the previous link provides a huge amount of historical context on the political landscape at the time of Jesus's birth. Alongside this there are some rich pointers to biblical prophecy. The first snippet I'm sharing reveals something that I didn't know about the name 'Bethlehem', and how it relates to Jesus as the 'bread of life'.
The name of the place was significant. Bethlehem signifies the house of bread; a proper place for him to be born in who is the Bread of life, the Bread that came down from heaven. But that was not all; Bethlehem was the city of David, where he was born, and therefore there he must be born who was the Son of David.
If you're looking for a full verse by verse commentary full of clarity, this is a long but good read. I loved the note at the very end.
Young people, as they grow in stature, should grow in wisdom, and then, as they grow in wisdom, they will grow in favour with God and man.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Luk/Luk_002.cfm
Bible Ref Commentary
This is an easier read that the previous commentaries. More a a summary. You'll still find lot's of information though. Here's an example:
That Mary is in Bethlehem when Jesus is born corresponds to Messianic prophecy (Micah 5:2). A common assumption about the night of Jesus' birth is that Mary and Joseph were coldly turned away from lodging by callous businessmen, so she was forced to give birth in a barn. What's more likely is that there was no room for childbirth in the main living area of the place where they had already arranged to stay.
I enjoyed the way this commentary concluded with an idea of why Luke didn't provide further details of Jesus's childhood. He'd certainly would have had access to witnesses who had something to share. Most likely he interviewed Mary during his investigations and she would have had enough information to write a number of books. Here we see that Luke decides to jump to when Jesus is around 18 years old.
Next, Luke's account will leap forward around eighteen years, to the public ministry of John the Baptist. This lack of details about Jesus' early life is both efficient and kind. It keeps Scripture from being packed with irrelevant detail (John 21:25). It also prevents well-meaning parents from constantly comparing their child's growth milestones to those of the Messiah.
For this commentary, use the link below and scroll for the expandable commentary alongside the chapter.
https://www.bibleref.com/Luke/2/Luke-chapter-2.html
I look forward to sharing Luke Chapter 3 with you! In the meantime God Bless you in your search for understanding of His Word.
I'm sorry that there was a bit of a delay getting this post up. Sometimes, words don't come easy :)