Geneva Study Bible And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And {1} it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the {a} world should be {b} taxed.
(1) Christ, the son of God, taking upon himself the form of a servant, and making himself of no reputation, is poorly born in a stable: and by the means of Augustus, the mightiest prince in the world, (thinking nothing of it) has his cradle prepared in Bethlehem, as the prophets foretold. (a) As far as the empire of the Romans stretched. (b) That is, the inhabitants of every city should have their names recorded, and their goods rated at a certain value, that the emperor might understand how rich every country, city, family, and house was. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
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:) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the {c} city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
(c) Which David was born and brought up in. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
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. 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.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. {2} And there were in the same country shepherds {d} abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
(2) The angels themselves declare to poor shepherds (not at all regarding the pride of the mighty) the Godhead and office of the child lying in the crib. (d) Living outside, and in the open air. 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. And, lo, the angel of the Lord {e} came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
(e) Came suddenly upon them, when they were not at all thinking about such a matter. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, And suddenly there was with the angel {f} a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
(f) Whole armies of angels, who compass the majesty of God round about, just as soldiers, as it were. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, {g} good will toward men.
(g) God's ready, good, infinite, and gracious favour towards men. 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. 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.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
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. {3} 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.
(3) Christ, the head of the Church, made subject to the law in order to deliver us from the curse of the law (as the name of Jesus well declares) being circumcised, ratifies and seals in his own flesh the circumcision of the flesh. 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; {4} And when the days of {h} her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
(4) Christ, upon whom all our sins were laid, being offered to God according to the law purifies both Mary and us all in himself. (h) This is meant for the fulfilling of the law: for otherwise the virgin was not defiled, nor unclean, by the birth of this child. (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
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. 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.
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. {5} 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 {i} Holy Ghost was upon him.
(5) Simeon openly in the temple foretells the death of the coming of Messiah, of the casting out of the greatest part of Israel, and of the calling of the Gentiles. (i) He was endued with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and this is said using the figure of speech metonymy. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
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, And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the {k} parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
(k) Joseph and Mary: and he says parents because that is what most of the people then thought. Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: Lord, now {l} lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy {m} word:
(l) Let me depart out of this life, to be joined to my Father. (m) As you promised me. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, For {n} mine eyes have seen thy {o} salvation,
(n) That is, for I have seen with my very eyes: for he saw before in mind, as it is said of Abraham, He saw my day and rejoiced. (o) That in which your salvation is contained. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; Which thou hast prepared {p} before the face of all people;
(p) As a sign set up in a high place for all men to look upon. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
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; And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is {q} set for the {r} fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a {s} sign which shall be spoken against;
(q) Is appointed and set by God for a mark. (r) Fall of the reprobate who perishes because of their own fault: and for the rising of the elect, unto whom God will give faith to believe. (s) That is, a mark, which all men will strive earnestly to hit. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Yea, a sword shall {t} pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
(t) Will most keenly wound and grieve. 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; {6} 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;
(6) Another witness besides Simeon, against whom no objection may be brought, inviting all men to the receiving of the Messiah. 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. 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.
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. 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.
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, {u} filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
(u) As Christ grew up in age, so the virtue of his Godhead showed itself more and more. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. {7} Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
(7) The scribes and Pharisees are aroused to hear the wisdom of Christ in his time by an extraordinary deed. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
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. 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.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
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. 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.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
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. {8} 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.
(8) All duties which we owe to men, even though they are not to be neglected, so are they (according to the position in life which God has set us) not to be preferred before the glory of God. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
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. {9} 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.
(9) Christ, very man, is made like us in every way except sin. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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