Joseph and Mary go to CHAPTER II. Bethlehem, to be enroiled. Α. Μ. 3999. 4 And Joseph also went up from || 5 To be taxed with Mary d his A. M. 3999. Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David,) espoused wife, being great with child. b1 Sam. xvi. 1, 4; John vii. 42. c Matt. i. 16; Chap. i. 27. d Matt. i. 18; Chap. i. 27. twenty chosen men, one into one part, another into | acknowledged as one of his posterity, and the rather another, to take this account; and that Publius Sulpicius Quirinius had Syria for his province." The reader will of course adopt the interpretation which he judges most probable. as she knew herself to be miraculously with child of the Messiah. Verses 6, 7. And while they were there, the days were accomplished, &c.-Whatever views Mary might have in going up to Bethlehem, her going there was doubtless by the direction of Divine Providence, in order that the Messiah might be born in Verse 3. And all went to be taxed, (enrolled,) every one to his city-"When the census was made in any country, the inhabitants were obliged to attend in the cities to which they belonged, Livy, 1. xlii. c. 10. || that city, agreeably to the prophecy of Micah, chap. v. 2. And she brought forth her firstborn son-Τον υιον αυτης τον πρωτοτοκον, her son, the firstborn; that The reason was, without a precaution of this kind, the census would have been excessively tedious, and people who were abroad might have been omitted, || excellent and glorious person, who was the first or registered among the inhabitants of other cities, where they would not have been found afterward, or they might have been enrolled twice, which would have produced confusion in the registers." In the dominions of Herod, however, probably by his order, a small alteration seems to have been made in the method of executing the census. For instead of the people being directed to appear, as usual, in the cities where they resided, or to whose jurisdiction the places of their abode belonged, they were ordered to appear according to their families; every one in his native city, or the place where his paternal inheritance lay, to be there enrolled; a circumstance wisely ordered by Providence to verify the truth of ancient prophecies; for thus the parents of Christ were providentially brought to Bethlehem, the place where the Messiah was to be born, without leaving any room to suspect them of artifice and design. And thus, also, by their coming to be registered among the subjects of the Roman empire, the subjection of the Jews to the Romans was very remarkably manifested. born of every creature, and the heir of all things. See note on Matt. i. 25. And wrapped him in swaddling-clothes-By her doing this herself, it is thought her labour was without the usual pangs of childbearing. And laid him in a manger-Though the word φατνη, here used, sometimes signifies a stall, yet it is certain it more frequently signifies a manger, and certainly the manger was the most proper part of the stall in which the infant could be laid. As to the notion of Bishop Pearce, that not a manger is here meant, but a bag of coarse cloth, like those out of which the horses of our troopers are fed when encamped; and that this bag was fastened to the wall, or some other part, not of a stable, but of the guest-chamber, or room for the reception of strangers, where Joseph and Mary were lodged; this odd notion is amply confuted by Dr. Campbell in a very long note on this passage. Tradition informs us that the stable, in which the holy family was lodged, was, according to the custom of the country, hollowed out of a rock, and consequently the coldness of it, at least by night, must have greatly added to its other inconveniences. Because there was no room for them in the inn-The concourse of people at Bethlehem being very great on this occasion. It seems there was but one principal inn at Bethlehem, now but a small village, and that when Joseph came thither it was full, so that he and Mary were obliged to lodge in a stable, fitted up as a receptacle for poor travellers, in which they, and the animals that brought them, were meanly acwas a descendant of David: his espoused wife-The || commodated under the same roof. Now also there propriety of this expression appears from Matt. i. 25, || is seldom room for Christ in an inn. It will not be Verse 4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee | -Being thus obliged by the emperor's decree; out of the city of Nazareth-Where he then dwelt; into Judea-Properly so called; unto the city of David, called Bethlehem-The town where his ancestors had formerly been settled; because he was of the house, &c., of David-Notwithstanding, he was now reduced so low as to follow the trade of a carpenter. To be enrolled with Mary-Who also improper to observe, on this humiliating circumstance of our Lord's birth in a stable, how, "through the whole course of his life, he despised the things where we are told that Joseph knew not his wife till she had brought forth her firstborn son. Being great with child-It may seem strange that Mary, in this condition, should undertake so great a jour-most esteemed by men. For though he was the ney. Perhaps the order for the census required Son of God, when he became man he chose to be that the wives, as well as their husbands, should be born of parents in the meanest condition of life. present. Or, the persons to be registered being || Though he was heir of all things, he chose to be classed in the roll, according to their lineage, Mary born in an inn, nay, in the stable of an inn, where, might judge it proper on this occasion to claim her instead of a cradle, he was laid in a manger. The descent from David, in order to her being publicly || angels reported the good news of his birth, not to VOL. I. (23) 353 a The birth of Christ is announced ST. LUKE. to the shepherds by an angel Α. Μ. 3999. 7 And she brought forth her first- || them, and the glory of the Lord A. M. 3999. born son, and wrapped him in shone round about them; fand they swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a man- || were sore afraid. ger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping 2 watch over their flock by night. 9. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon e Mat. i. 25.2 Or, the night-watches.f Ch. i. 12. Gen. xii. 3; Matt. xxviii. 19; Mark i. 15; Verses 31, 32; Ch. xxiv. the rabbis and great men, but to shepherds, who, being plain honest people, were unquestionably good witnesses of what they heard and saw. When he grew up he wrought with his father as a carpenter. And afterward, while he executed the duties of his ministry, he was so poor that he had not a place where to lay his head, but lived on the bounty | of his friends. Thus, by going before men in the thorny path of poverty and affliction, he has taught them to be contented with their lot in this life, however humble it may be." 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 h For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 47; Col. i. 23. Isa. ix. 6. i Matt. i. 21. Matt. i. 16; xvi. 16; Chap. i. 43; Acts ii. 36; x. 36; Phil. ii. 11. It is happy for us that the particular day and hour, or even year, in which he was born is not necessary to be ascertained in order to our salvation; nor at all material to true religion. It is sufficient for us to know that he was born, was made flesh, and dwelt among us, assumed our nature, and in consequence thereof is become an all-sufficient Saviour and Redeemer, in whom whosoever believeth, with a right faith, shall not perish, but have eternal life. Verses 9-12. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them-Επεση αυτοις, stood over them, that is, Verse 8. And there were in the same country || appeared in a visible form, standing in the air over shepherds abiding in the field-Here we see, that their heads; and the glory of the Lord shone round as Abraham and David, to whom the promise of the about them-Not only a great light, but such a gloMessiah was first made, were shepherds, so the com-rious splendour as used to represent the presence pletion of this promise was first revealed to shep- of God, and was often attended with a host of anherds. Keeping watch over their flocks by night- || gels, as here, verse 13. And they were sore afraid Which it was necessary they should do, to guard -At so uncommon and so awful an appearance. against the wolves and other beasts of prey, com- | And the angel Said-In the mildest and most conmon there. The original words, φυλασσοντες φυλακας || descending manner; Fear not-Thus the angel της νυκτος, may be more literally rendered, watching || the watches of the night. These watches were four; the first is mentioned, Lam. ii. 19; the second and third, Luke xii. 38; and the fourth, Matt. xiv. 25; being the morning watch. It seems there was a Gabriel had encouraged Zacharias and Mary, chap. i. 12, 30. As if he had said, The design of my appearing to you hath nothing terrible in it, but the contrary: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy-The original expression here is peculiar, considerable number of the shepherds together here, || ευαγγελιζομαι υμιν χαραν μεγαλην, Ι evangelize unto for the expression implies that they watched by turns according to these divisions of the night. "As it is not probable," says Dr. Doddridge, "that they exposed their flocks to the coldness of winter nights you great joy. So the Vulgate. Or, I announce unto you good tidings, which shall be matter of great joy, and that not only to you, and the Jewish nation in general, but to all people, to the whole this day, this welcome, blessed day, a Saviour-That is, 1st, A Deliverer from ignorance and folly, from guilt, condemnation, and wrath, from depravity and weakness, in which the whole human race are involved through the fall of their first parents and in that climate, where, as Dr. Shaw (Trav., p. 379) || human race: for unto you, and all mankind, is born has shown, they were so very unwholesome, it may be strongly argued from this circumstance that those who have fixed upon December for the birth || of Christ have been mistaken in the time of it." The birth of Christ has been placed in every month of the year. The Egyptians placed it in January- | their own actual transgressions; in other words, Wagenseil, in February-Bochart, in March-some || from sin, and all its consequences: 2d, A Restorer mentioned by Clement of Alexandria, in April- (so σωτηρ also means) to the favour and image of others, in May-Epiphanius speaks of some who God, and communion with him, lost by the same placed it in June-and others who supposed it to fall: and, 3d, A Preserver, (as the same word also have been in July-Wagenseil, who was not sure implies,) namely, unto eternal life; one as willing of February, fixed it probably in August-Lightfoot, as able to keep such as perseveringly believe in him, on the 15th of September-Scaliger, Casaubon, and through faith, unto final salvation; to keep them Calvisius, in October-others, in November. But from falling, and to present them faultless before the Latin Church, being infallible in judgment, and || the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Who supreme in power, has settled the matter by de- is Christ-The Messiah, the divinely-appointed Proclaring that he was born on the 25th of December. | phet, Priest, and King of his people; their wisdom, See Labbæi, Concil. Fabricii, Bibliot. Antiq., cap. x. || righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; and (23*) 354 a A heavenly host attend the birth CHAPTER II. of Christ, with song's of praise Α. Μ. 3999. 12 And this shall be a sign || herds said one to another, Let us now A. M. 3999 unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger. 13 1 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, || and saying, 14 m Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were go even unto Bethlehem, and see this || 16 And they came with haste, and found 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. gone away from them into heaven, 3 the shep- || 18 And all they that heard it wondered at 1 Gen. xxviii. 12; xxxii. 1, 2; Psa. ciii. 20, 21; cxlviii. 2; Dan. vii. 10; Heb. i. 14; Rev. v. 11. -m Chap. xix. 38; Eph. i. 6; iii. 10, 21; Rev. v. 13. n Isa. lvii. 19; Chap. i. 79; Rom. v. 1; Eph. ii. 17; Col. i. 20. • John iii. 16; Eph. ii. 4,7; 2 Thess. ii. 16; 1 John iv. 9, 10. 3 Gr. the men, the shepherds. who is sufficiently qualified to sustain these un- serves, "The most common interpretation of the speakably important offices and characters, because passage is the most probable." The words are he is the Lord, God as well as man, God manifest || doubtless to be considered as expressions of rejoicing in the flesh, the Lord that in the beginning laid the || exclamation, strongly representing the piety and foundations of the earth, &c., Heb. i. 10; and with- || benevolence of these heavenly spirits, and their afout whom was not any thing made that was made, || fectionate good wishes for the prosperity of the John i. 3; Col. i. 16. The message refers to Isa. ix. 6, Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. || And this shall be a sign unto you-The angel gives them a sign for the confirmation of their faith in this important matter. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, &c.-Doubtless they would || overflowings of divine benevolence and favour are expect to be told that they should find him, though Messiah's kingdom; as if they had said, "Glory be to God in the highest heavens, and let all the angelic legions resound his praises in the most exalted strains, for, with the Redeemer's birth, peace and all happiness come down to dwell on earth; yea, the now exercised toward sinful men, who through this a babe, dressed up in fine robes, and lying in state, || Saviour become the objects of his complacential de in the best house of the town, with a numerous train light." The words, considered in a doctrinal point of attendants: no, you will find him lying in a man- of view, teach us, what it is of great importance to ger. And surely they might know him by this token, know, 1st, That the birth of Christ is an event for what other babe could be found in so mean a which, above all others, brings glory to God, giving condition? For the shepherds to have found the such a display of several of his perfections as had Messiah lying in a manger, might have scandalized never been made before, particularly of his holiness them. It was therefore very proper that the angel and justice, in requiring such a sacrifice as was should forewarn them of this circumstance, and hereby to be prepared for the expiation of human make it the signal whereby they should distinguish || guilt, and his mercy, in providing and accepting it; him. When Christ was here on earth, he distin- his wisdom, in devising such a plan for the redempguished himself, and made himself remarkable, by || tion of lost man, and his power, in executing it. nothing so much as the instances of his humiliation. 2d, It brings peace on earth, that is, peace to man, Verses 13, 14. And suddenly there was with the peace with God, through the atonement and mediangel, &c.-The welcome news was no sooner pub-ation of Christ; peace of conscience, as the conselished, than a multitude of heavenly beings were heard celebrating, in songs and hymns divine, the praises of God, on account of his unspeakable mercy || and love to men; and saying, Glory to God in the highest, &c.-The shouts of a multitude are gene- || rally broken into short sentences, and are commonly elliptic; which is the cause of some ambiguity in quence of knowing that we have peace with God, and peace one with another. 3d, It displays the good-will, the benevolence, the love of God to man, as no other of his works or dispensations ever did, or could do. See 1 John iv. 7, &c.; John iii. 16. Verses 15-20. As the angels were gone awayProbably they saw them ascend; the shepherds senses. Some read them thus: Glory to God in the highest, that is, in heaven, and on earth peace, yea, favour, toward men. Others understand them as signifying, That the good-will, or favour, which thing-This wonderful and important event; which is come to pass: and they came and found Mary and Joseph, &c. -Though it is not mentioned, it seems the angel had described to them the particu these words, which may be understood in different || said, Let us now go; without delay; and see this was now shown to men, is the Glory of God in the || lar place in Bethlehem where Christ was born. And, highest, and is the peace and happiness of those having found the child lying where the angel had who dwell on earth. This is doubtless an important said, they were by that sign fully confirmed in their sense, and what the original will very well bear, but belief, and with boldness declared both the vision it changes the doxology into a kind of proverb, and || which they had seen, and the things which they had destroys much of its beauty. As Dr. Campbell ob- heard pronounced by the angel, and the heavenly Jesus is brought to Jerusalem, ST. LUKE. to be presented to the Lord. A. M 3999. those things which were told them || named of the angel before he was A. M. 4000. conceived in the womb. by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and 22† And when the days of her purificapondered them in her heart. tion according to the law of Moses were ac2^ And the shepherds returned, glorifying |complished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to and praising God for all the things that they || present him to the Lord; had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, 21 4* And when eight days were accom-Every male that openeth the womb shall be plished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so P Gen. xxxvii. 11; Chapter i. 66; Verse 51.-q Gen. xvii. 12; Lev. xii. 3; Chapter 1. 59. * Before the account called Anno Domini, the fourth year. Matt. i. 21, 25; Chap. i. 31. host with him. And all they that heard wondered at those things, &c.-Joseph and Mary, with the people of the inn who attended them, and such of their relations as were come up to Bethlehem to be enrolled, and happened to be with them on this occasion, were exceedingly astonished at the things which the shepherds openly declared; and the rather, because they could not understand how one born of such mean parents could be the Messiah. But Mary kept all these things, &c.-Mary was greatly affected with, and thought upon, the shepherds' words, the import of which she was enabled to understand, in consequence of what had been revealed to herself. She said nothing, however, being more disposed to think than to speak: which was an excellent instance of modesty and humility in so great a conjuncture. And the shepherds returned, glorifying God, &c. -They returned to their flocks, and by the way praised God for having condescended, by a particular revelation, to inform them of so great an event as the birth of the Messiah, and be- | called holy to the Lord ;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that † Purification B. V. Mary, gospel, verse 22 to verse 24.s Lev. xii. 2-4, 6.-t Ex. xiii. 2; xxii. 29; xxxiv. 19; Num. iii. 13; viii. 17; xviii. 15. -u Lev. xii. 2, 6, 8. might put an honour on the solemn dedication of children to God. Verses 22-24. When the days of her purification were accomplished "It appears, from Lev. xii. 1–6, that for the first seven days, every woman who had borne a child, was considered as unclean in so great a degree, that whoever touched or conversed with her was polluted. For thirty-three days more, she was still, though in an inferior degree, unclean, because she could not all that time partake in the solemnities of public worship. At the conclusion of this term, she was commanded to bring certain sacrifices to the temple, by the offering of which the stain laid on her by the law was wiped off, and she restored to all the purity and cleanness she had be fore. This was the law of the purification after bearing a son. But for a daughter, the time of separation was double; the first term being fourteen days, and the second sixty-six; in all eighty days before she could approach the sanctuary. Now as Jesus was circumcised, though perfectly free from cause they had seen the signs by which the angelsin, so his mother submitted to the purifications prein the vision pointed him out to them. To this wescribed by the law, notwithstanding she was free may add, that, "besides what they had heard from from the pollutions common in other births. It was the angel and seen at Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary evident, indeed, that she was a mother, but her would doubtless give them an account of those par- || miraculous conception was not generally known." ticulars which the sacred historian has related above, respecting the conception of this divine infant; and this interview must have greatly confirmed and comforted the minds of all concerned." -Doddridge. They brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord-Because the law required that he should be presented in the temple at the end of forty days from his birth, and that the usual offerings should Verse 21. And when eight days were accomplish- || be made, his parents would find it more convenient ed-That is, not when the eighth day was ended, but when it was come: for the circumcising of the child-A ceremony which the law of Moses required || to be performed on every male child at that age, and to which Christ was made subject, that he might wear the badge of a child of Abraham, and that he might visibly be made under the law by a sacred to go up with him from Bethlehem, where he was born, at the distance of six miles only, than, after Mary's recovery, to carry him first to Nazareth, which was a great way from Jerusalem. We may, therefore, reasonably enough suppose that they tarried in Bethlehem all the days of her purification, and that from Bethlehem they went straightway to rite, which obliged him to keep the whole law. It | Jerusalem. Here, entering the temple, the sacriis true, he had not any corruptions of nature to mor- fices prescribed for the purification of women, after tity, which was in part represented by that institu- || child-bearing, were offered for Mary, who, accordtion, but nevertheless it was necessary that he shoulding to custom, waited in the outer court till the be thus initiated into the Jewish Church, and thereby service respecting her was performed. As it is be engaged to the duties, and entitled to the privileges, written, Every male that openeth the womb, &c.of a son of Abraham, according to God's covenant || See this explained in the note on Exod. xii. 2. And with that patriarch and his seed; as also that hell to offer a sacrifice, a pair of turtle doves, &c.-Simeon prophesies of Christ, and pigeons. CHAPTER II. A pair of turtle-doves, or two young acknowledges him as the Messiah. A. M. 4000 which is said in the law of the Lord, || 28 Then took he him up in his A. M. 4000. arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, a 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; 25 And behold, there was a man in Jeru- || salem, 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, 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; * Isa. xl. 1; Mark xv. 43; Verse 38. -y Psa. lxxxix. 48; Heb. Matt. iv. 16; Acts xiii. 47; xxviii. 28. d Isa. viii. 14; Hcs. xi. 5.-- Matt. iv. i. a Gen. xlvi. 30; Phil. i. 23. b Isa. || xiv. 9; Matt. xxi. 44; Rom. ix. 32, 33; 1 Cor. i. 23, 24; 2 Cor. lii. 10; Chap. iii. 6. Isa. ix. 2; xli. 6; xlix. 6; lx. 1-3; ii. 16; 1 Pet. ii. 7, 8. Acts xxviii. 22. This was the offering required from the poor, Lev. had long been his highest wish, the happiness of xii. 6, 8. Those in better circumstances were com-seeing God's Messiah, and having no further use for manded to bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt-life, desired immediate death. Yet he would not offering, and a turtle-dove, or a young pigeon, for a depart of himself, knowing that man cannot lawfully sin-offering. It is evident, from the offering they desert his station till God, who placed him therein, made, that although Joseph and Mary were of the || calls him off. For mine eyes have seen thy salvaseed royal, they were in very mean circumstances. || tion-Thy Christ, the Saviour. Simeon, being well The evangelist mentions the presentation of the acquainted with the prophetic writings, knew from child to the Lord before the offering of the sacrifice them that the Messiah was to be the author of a for the mother's purification; but in fact this pre- | great salvation, which, because it had its origin in ceded the presentation, because, till it was performed, the mother could not enter the temple; accordingly Luke himself introduces both the parents as presenting Jesus. Verses 25-33. Behold there was a man, &c. - || There was now in Jerusalem one Simeon, venerable on account of his age, piety, and virtue. For, he the wisdom, power, and love of God, he refers to him; and, putting the abstract for the concrete, or the effect for the cause, he terms the Messiah God's salvation. Thus, God is called, our defence, our song, our hope; that is, our defender, the subject of our song, the object of our hope. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people-Here it ap was just and devout-Righteous toward his fellow-pears that Simeon knew that this salvation was not creatures, and holy toward God; waiting for the consolation of Israel-A common phrase for the Messiah, who was to be the everlasting consolation || of the Israel of God. And the Holy Ghost was upon him-That is, as the word here signifies, he || was a prophet. And it was revealed unto him, &c. -God, in reward of his piety, had favoured him so highly as to assure him by a particular revelation, that he should not die till he had seen the Messiah. And he came by the Spirit into the temple-That is, by a secret but powerful direction and impulse of the Holy Spirit; when the parents brought in the child Jesus-Just at that very juncture of time when they brought him into the court of Israel there. Then took he him up in his arms-Having dis confined to the Jews, but was designed for all mankind. A light to lighten the Gentiles-Who then sat in darkness, and who were to receive the knowledge of God, of true religion, and of divine things in general, especially of a future state, through him; and the glory of thy people Israel-It was an honour to the Jewish nation, that the Messiah sprung from one of their tribes, and was born, lived, and died among them. And of those who were Israelites indeed, of the spiritual Israel, he was indeed the glory, and will be so to all eternity, Isa. lx. 19. For in him shall the seed of Israel be justified and shall glory, Isa. xlv. 25. And Joseph and his (Jesus's) mother marvelled at those things which were spoken-For they did not yet thoroughly undercovered him by the supernatural illumination withstand them; or they marvelled how Simeon, a stranger, came to the knowledge of the child. which he was favoured; and blessed God, and said -Aloud, it seems, in the hearing of all the people Verses 34, 35. And Simeon blessed them-Namethen present; Lord, now lettest thou thy servant ly, Joseph and Mary. He pronounced them blessed depart in peace, &c. -Let me depart hence with the who had the honour to be related to this child, and satisfaction of having seen the Messiah, according || were intrusted with the bringing him up. He prayed to the gracious promise thou wast pleased to make for them, that God would bless them, and, doubtless, This good old man, having attained that which || wished others to do the same. Behold, this child is me. |