Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” New Living Translation When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” English Standard Version When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Berean Standard Bible When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass, as the angels went away from them into heaven, that the shepherds were saying to one another, “Let us go through indeed as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this saying that has come to pass, which the Lord made known to us.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” New American Standard Bible When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” NASB 1995 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” NASB 1977 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” Legacy Standard Bible And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” Amplified Bible When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying one to another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem, and see this [wonderful] thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” Berean Annotated Bible When the angels (messengers) had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem (house of bread) and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord {Kyrios} has made known to us. Christian Standard Bible When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Holman Christian Standard Bible When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” American Standard Version And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Contemporary English Version After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about." English Revised Version And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. GOD'S WORD® Translation The angels left them and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about." Good News Translation When the angels went away from them back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us." International Standard Version When the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds told one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what has taken place that the Lord has told us about." NET Bible When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us." New Heart English Bible And it happened that when the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." Webster's Bible Translation And it came to pass, when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us. Weymouth New Testament Then, as soon as the angels had left them and returned to Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go over as far as Bethlehem and see this that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” World English Bible When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it came to pass, when the messengers were gone away from them to the heavens, that the men, the shepherds, said to one another, “We may indeed go over to Beth-Lehem and see this thing that has come to pass, that the LORD made known to us!” Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass, as the angels went away from them into heaven, that the shepherds were saying to one another, “Let us go through indeed as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this saying that has come to pass, which the Lord made known to us.” Young's Literal Translation And it came to pass, when the messengers were gone away from them to the heavens, that the men, the shepherds, said unto one another, 'We may go over indeed unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that hath come to pass, that the Lord did make known to us.' Smith's Literal Translation And it was when the messenger departed from them into heaven, and the men, the shepherds, said to one another, Let us pass through now to Bethlehem, and see this word done, which the Lord made known to us. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us. Catholic Public Domain Version And it happened that, when the Angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us cross over to Bethlehem and see this word, which has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us.” New American Bible When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” New Revised Standard Version When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd it happened, when the angels departed from them and went to heaven, the shepherds spoke to one another, saying, Let us go to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, as the Lord has shown to us. Aramaic Bible in Plain English It was that as the Angels went from them into Heaven, the shepherds spoke one with another and they were saying, “Let us go as far as Bethlehem, and we shall see this event that has occurred as THE LORD JEHOVAH has revealed to us.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd it came to pass, that, after the angels had gone away into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. Godbey New Testament And it came to pass, when the angels departed from them into heaven, indeed, the shepherds said to one another; Now let us go unto Bethlehem and see this word which has taken place, which the Lord made known to us. Haweis New Testament And it came to pass, as the angels went from them into heaven, the men, the shepherds, said also to each other, Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this thing which hath happened, which the Lord hath made known to us. Mace New Testament As soon as the angels retired back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, let us go to Bethlehem, to see the fact, of which the Lord inform'd us. Weymouth New Testament Then, as soon as the angels had left them and returned to Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go over as far as Bethlehem and see this that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." Worrell New Testament And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into Heaven, that the shepherds were saying one to another, "Let us go over at once to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord made known to us." Worsley New Testament And when the angels went from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go to Bethlehem, and see this which hath been told us, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Shepherds and the Angels…14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.… Cross References When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, Acts 1:9-11 After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. / They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. / “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” Judges 13:20 When the flame went up from the altar to the sky, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell facedown to the ground. Genesis 28:12 And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder. the shepherds said to one another, 2 Kings 7:9 Finally, they said to one another, “We are not doing what is right. Today is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, our sin will overtake us. Now, therefore, let us go and tell the king’s household.” Genesis 37:19-20 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!” Malachi 3:16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name. “Let us go to Bethlehem Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. Matthew 2:1-6 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” / When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. … 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” / “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ / Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.” … and see this thing that has happened, John 1:39 “Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour. Matthew 28:6 He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. John 4:29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” which the Lord has made known to us.” Psalm 98:2 The LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. Ephesians 3:5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. Matthew 2:13-15 When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Treasury of Scripture 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 to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. into. Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 2 Kings 2:1,11 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal… 1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. shepherds. Exodus 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. Psalm 111:2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. Matthew 2:1,2,9-11 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, … Jump to Previous Angels Bethlehem Departed Heaven Let's Shepherds Sky SoonJump to Next Angels Bethlehem Departed Heaven Let's Shepherds Sky SoonLuke 2 1. Augustus taxes all the Roman empire.6. The nativity of Jesus. 8. An angel relates it to the shepherds, and many sing praises to God for it. 15. The shepherds glorify God. 21. Jesus is circumcised. 22. Mary purified. 25. Simeon and Anna prophesy of Jesus, 39. who increases in wisdom, 41. questions in the temple with the teachers, 51. and is obedient to his parents. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven The departure of the angels signifies the end of a divine revelation. Angels are often messengers of God, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Daniel 9:21-23 and Matthew 1:20. Their return to heaven indicates the completion of their earthly mission. Heaven is depicted as the dwelling place of God and His angels, reinforcing the divine origin of the message delivered to the shepherds. the shepherds said to one another “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” Persons / Places / Events 1. AngelsHeavenly messengers who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Their departure signifies the end of the divine revelation and the beginning of human response. 2. Shepherds Humble, everyday workers who were chosen to receive the angelic announcement. Their response to the message is immediate and faithful. 3. Bethlehem The prophesied birthplace of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2. It is significant as the City of David, linking Jesus to the Davidic line. 4. Heaven The realm from which the angels came and to which they returned, symbolizing the divine origin of the message. 5. The Lord Refers to God, who orchestrated the events and made the revelation known to the shepherds, emphasizing divine initiative in the incarnation. Teaching Points Immediate ObedienceThe shepherds' response to the angelic message was immediate. We should also respond promptly to God's revelations and guidance in our lives. Faith in Action The shepherds acted on faith, going to see what the Lord had made known. Our faith should lead us to action, not just contemplation. God's Revelation to the Humble God chose humble shepherds to receive the first announcement of Jesus' birth, reminding us that God often reveals Himself to the humble and lowly. Seeking Jesus Like the shepherds, we are called to seek Jesus actively. Our spiritual journey should be one of continual seeking and finding Christ in our lives. Witnessing to Others After seeing Jesus, the shepherds spread the word. We are also called to share the good news of Jesus with others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 2:15?2. How can we emulate the shepherds' immediate response to God's message in Luke 2:15? 3. What does the shepherds' journey teach about seeking Jesus in our daily lives? 4. How does Luke 2:15 connect with other instances of obedience in the Bible? 5. Why is it important to act promptly when God reveals His will to us? 6. How can we encourage others to "go to Bethlehem" and seek Christ today? 7. How does Luke 2:15 support the historical accuracy of the nativity story? 8. What theological significance does the shepherds' response in Luke 2:15 hold? 9. Why were shepherds chosen to receive the angelic message in Luke 2:15? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 2? 11. Why do Matthew and Luke give different accounts of Jesus' birth (e.g., one has shepherds, the other has wise men)? 12. What are the key teachings and events in Luke? 13. Can I play my drum for the newborn king? 14. (Luke 2:8-14) Is there any external historical or archaeological support that an angelic event occurred, as reported to the shepherds? What Does Luke 2:15 Mean When the angels had left them• The heavenly messengers finish their proclamation, then depart. Just as Gabriel left Mary once his assignment was complete (Luke 1:38), these angels withdraw the moment their task is done, underlining that every angelic appearance is purposeful and timed by God (Psalm 103:20; Hebrews 1:14). • Their exit signals a shift from supernatural announcement to human response. God often allows a holy silence after revelation so that people can choose faith-filled action—think of Elijah after the fire and earthquake, listening for the still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13). And gone into heaven • Scripture treats heaven as a real locale, not myth. The angels “went into heaven,” the same direction the risen Christ would later ascend (Acts 1:10-11). • By returning there, the angels show they are servants dispatched from God’s throne (Job 1:6). Their departure reminds us that every revelation ultimately points back to the glory of God in heaven (Revelation 5:13). The shepherds said to one another • Notice the immediate peer-to-peer conversation. Faith stirs community; they don’t keep the news private. The early church mirrored this pattern when believers “spoke the word of God boldly” together after fresh revelation (Acts 4:31-32). • Shepherds—ordinary laborers—illustrate God’s delight in using humble people (1 Corinthians 1:27). Their dialogue models how spiritual truth is meant to be shared and confirmed in fellowship (Malachi 3:16). Let us go to Bethlehem • Their response is active, not theoretical. Like Abraham who, upon hearing God’s word, “went as the Lord had told him” (Genesis 12:4), the shepherds move without delay. • Bethlehem matters: Micah 5:2 foretold Messiah’s birthplace, and the shepherds step right into that fulfilled prophecy. Obedience aligns believers with God’s redemptive timetable (John 7:42). And see this thing that has happened • They expect to witness something already accomplished. Faith treats God’s word as fact before evidence is in hand (Hebrews 11:1). • Their desire to “see” echoes John’s later testimony: “What we have seen with our eyes… we proclaim to you” (1 John 1:1-3). Encounter precedes proclamation. Which the Lord has made known to us • The shepherds credit God, not angels, as the source of revelation. True messengers always point away from themselves to the Lord (Revelation 22:8-9). • God chooses to reveal the advent of His Son to shepherds rather than kings, fulfilling Jesus’ later prayer: “You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children” (Luke 10:21-22). This underscores divine grace toward the lowly (James 4:6). summary Luke 2:15 shows a seamless flow: divine revelation, angelic withdrawal, human conversation, immediate obedience, personal encounter, and grateful acknowledgment of God’s initiative. The shepherds’ simple, eager faith invites us to treat God’s word as certain, act on it promptly, and give Him all the glory for what He makes known. (15) The shepherds.--Some, but not the best, MSS. give, as in the margin, "the men the shepherds," as if to emphasise the contrast between the "angels" who departed and the "men" who remained.This thing. . . . which the Lord hath made known.--Literally, this word, or spoken thing. The choice of the Greek word seems to indicate that St. Luke was translating from the Aramaic. Greek Whenἐγένετο (egeneto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. angels ἄγγελοι (angeloi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor. had left ἀπῆλθον (apēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively. them αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. [and gone] into εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. heaven, οὐρανὸν (ouranon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. shepherds ποιμένες (poimenes) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 4166: A shepherd; hence met: of the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd. said ἐλάλουν (elaloun) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. one another, ἀλλήλους (allēlous) Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another. “Let us go Διέλθωμεν (Dielthōmen) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural Strong's 1330: To pass through, spread (as a report). From dia and erchomai; to traverse. to ἕως (heōs) Preposition Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until. Bethlehem Βηθλεὲμ (Bēthleem) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 965: Bethlehem, a town of Judea. Of Hebrew origin; Bethleem, a place in Palestine. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. see ἴδωμεν (idōmen) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. this τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. [thing] ῥῆμα (rhēma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 4487: From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever. that τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. has happened, γεγονὸς (gegonos) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. which ὃ (ho) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Lord Κύριος (Kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. has made known ἐγνώρισεν (egnōrisen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1107: To make known, declare, know, discover. From a derivative of ginosko; to make known; subjectively, to know. to us.” ἡμῖν (hēmin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. Links Luke 2:15 NIVLuke 2:15 NLT Luke 2:15 ESV Luke 2:15 NASB Luke 2:15 KJV Luke 2:15 BibleApps.com Luke 2:15 Biblia Paralela Luke 2:15 Chinese Bible Luke 2:15 French Bible Luke 2:15 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Luke 2:15 It happened when the angels went away (Luke Lu Lk) |
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