And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Ver. 1. _A decree from Caesar Augustus_] By a sweet providence of God, that Christ might be born at Bethlehem, according to the Scriptures. Howbeit Augustus thought not so (as i... [ Continue Reading ]
(_And_ this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) Ver. 2. _When Cyrenius, &c._] Quirinus, the Latin writers call him. Now that the sceptre was departed, Shiloh came.... [ Continue Reading ]
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Ver. 3. _And all went to be taxed_] To pay a certain small sum of money in token of fidelity. I was once at a court sermon (saith Melancthon) on the Nativity day, and this was the text: but the preacher, instead of discoursing on Christ's incar... [ Continue Reading ]
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:) Ver. 4. _And Joseph also went up_] By a special providence of God, as is above noted, Luke 2:1, and not only so, but... [ Continue Reading ]
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Ver. 5. _Being great with child_] Yet could not be excused. This was a cruelty in Augustus (not to spare great-bellied women), but a mercy of God to mankind; for what the better had it been for us, if Joseph had gone to Bethlehem, and... [ Continue Reading ]
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. Ver. 6. _The days were accomplished_] Her delivery might well be hastened, or at least facilitated, by her long journey; for it was no less than four days' journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Some s... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 7. _And she brought forth her firstborn_] Whether she were Deipara, the mother of God, was a great controversy, and raised a great storm in th... [ Continue Reading ]
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Ver. 8. _Keeping watch over their flock_] At the tower of Edar, say some, between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, where Jacob, returning from Mesopotamia, stayed with his flock, after he had buried... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 9. _And, lo, the angel of the Lord_] Gabriel, likely, was sent, not to Zacharias or Simeon, &c., but to certain shepherds. God goes a way by himself, Had the sages of the... [ Continue Reading ]
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Ver. 10. _I bring you good tidings_] The first preacher of the gospel was an angel. God hath now taken this honour from the angels, and put it upon the ministers, who are in Scr... [ Continue Reading ]
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Ver. 11. _A Saviour_] The Greek word is so emphatic (as Cicero witnesseth) that other tongues can hardly find a fit word to express it. The Grecians delivered by Flaminius, rang out Σωτηρ, Σωτηρ, with such a cou... [ Continue Reading ]
And this _shall be_ a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Ver. 12. _Wrapped in swaddling clothes_] _In vilibus et veteribus indumentis, _ saith Ludolphus. _See Trapp on "_ Luk 2:7 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Ver. 13. _Praising God_] Angels who have neither so much interest in Christ nor benefit by him as we, sing him into the world. And shall we be dumb? They sang when the world was created, Job 38:7. So no... [ Continue Reading ]
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Ver. 14. _Glory be to God on high_] Let God have all the glory, so we may have the peace and grace or good will (for of these angels, Saint Paul learned to salute with grace and peace). _Mihi placet distributio angelica, _ saith... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 15. _Let us now go even unto Bethlehem_] They did not reason nor deba... [ Continue Reading ]
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Ver. 16. _Found Mary and Joseph, &c._] They, though of the royal blood, yet lay obscured, not thrusting themselves into observation, but well content with a low condition. _Beata Virgo in vili stabulo sedet, et ia... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had seen _it_, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Ver. 17. _They made known abroad_] True goodness is communicative; there is no envy in spiritual things; because they may be divided _in solidum:_ one may have as much as another, and all alike... [ Continue Reading ]
And all they that heard _it_ wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Ver. 18. _Wondered at those things_] Yet made little benefit of what they heard. "All the world wondered after the beast," Revelation 13:3. And it was a wonder there was no more wondering at the birth of ou... [ Continue Reading ]
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered _them_ in her heart. Ver. 19. _Mary kept all these things_] Her soul was a holy ark; her memory like the pot of manna, preserving holy truths and remarkable occurrences.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Ver. 20. _As it was told unto them_] God, to show that he respected not persons, revealed this grand mystery to shepherds and wise men; the one poor, the other rich; th... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 21. _For the circumcising of the child_] Christ would be circumcised, and so become bound to fulfil the law, that he might fr... [ Continue Reading ]
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; Ver. 22. _And when the days of her purification_] She was rather sanctified than polluted by bearing Christ, yet wrangleth not with the law, nor claime... [ Continue Reading ]
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) Ver. 23. _That openeth the womb_] This proves that Mary brought forth Christ in a natural way, and not _utero clauso, _ by a closed womb, by a miracle, as Papists would have it, to prove th... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 24. _A pair of turtledoves_] Christ's mother was not rich enough to bring a lamb. Let this comfort poor Christians. I know thy poverty, saith Christ, but that is nothin... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 25. _Just and devout_] Or wary and cautious, ευλαβης; one that takes heed and is fearful of being deceived in that... [ Continue Reading ]
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Ver. 26. _It was revealed unto him_] By an immediate oracle, κεχρηματισμενον. The idolatrous, heathen made use of this word to signify their impious and diabolical oracles. The abuse... [ Continue Reading ]
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, Ver. 27. _And he came by the spirit, &c._] So still, "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord," Psalms 37:23. He sets his Spirit as tutor, to direct and con... [ Continue Reading ]
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Ver. 28. _Then took he him up in his arms_] The blessedest armful that ever the old man had in his life. The patriarchs saluted him ασπασαμενοι; but afar off, Hebrews 11:13 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: Ver. 29. _Lord, now lettest thou thy servant_] In the Syriac it is, "Now thou openest the prison door;" the prisoner must not, till then, go out; nor we out of life till fairly dismissed. Simeon having laid in his heart (sai... [ Continue Reading ]
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Ver. 30. _For mine eyes have seen, &c._] A great satisfaction. So it was to Job,Job 42:5, when he could say, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee." What shall it be to us when we shall see God face to face, &c.,1 Corinth... [ Continue Reading ]
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; Ver. 31. _Before the face of all the people_] As a banner displayed, as a beacon on a hill, or as the sun in heaven, to be beheld of all; as the brazen serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, &c.,John 3:15, εφανη, Titus 2:11 .... [ Continue Reading ]
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Ver. 32. _The glory of thy people Israel_] Oh! pity their perverseness, and pray their conversion, that the Jews may call God Abba, the Gentiles Father,Daniel 12:11. There is a prophecy of the Jews' final restoration (saith Mr Cas... [ Continue Reading ]
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. Ver. 33. _Marvelled at those things_] Saints, the more they see into the mystery of Christ, the more are they transported with admiration. But most of all at the last day, 2 Thessalonians 1:10 .... [ Continue Reading ]
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; Ver. 34. _For the fall, &c._] Being _reorum scopulus, piorum rupes._ And for a sign, &c.] For a butt mark, against whom... [ Continue Reading ]
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Ver. 35. _Yea, a sword shall pierce, &c._] This confutes that of Plautus: _Mulier nulla cordicitis dolet ex animo._ The word here rendered sword properly signifies a long Thracian dart, entering... [ Continue Reading ]
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; Ver. 36. _From her virginity_] _i.e._ She was a pure virgin when married to her husband. All are not virgins that pass for such;... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 37. _A widow of about eighty-four years_] She was now ripe, and ready, even of her own accord, to fall into God's hand, as ripe fruits do into... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 38. _Gave thanks likewise_] _Succinuit Simeoni, _ seconded Simeon, and sang the same song. This was somewhat extraordinary, as being against that, 1 Timothy... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. Ver. 39. _According to the law of the Lord_] This is often recorded of them in this chapter, that they observed the law exactly, to their singular commendation. The law i... [ Continue Reading ]
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Ver. 40. _And the grace of God was upon him_] Without measure: so that of his overflow we have all received "grace for grace," John 1:16. He had a fulness, not repletive only, but diffusive too; n... [ Continue Reading ]
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. Ver. 41. _Now his parents went, &c._] Every male was to appear thrice a year before the Lord. In the females it was a freewill offering, and well accepted.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. Ver. 42. _And when he was twelve years old_] What he did from his infancy hitherto, the Scripture is silent; Papists feign many idle relations, and thereby expose us to the jeers of Jewish and Turkish miscrea... [ Continue Reading ]
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_. Ver. 43. _Joseph and his mother knew not_] One would wonder they should be so careless of so peerless a pearl; they might well think there were enough at... [ Continue Reading ]
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among _their_ kinsfolk and acquaintance. Ver. 44. _Sought him among their kinsfolk_] They knew him to be of a disposition not strange and stoic, but sweet and sociable. Let not us stye up ourselves in a s... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. Ver. 45. _And when they found him not_] The best are sometimes at a loss, and hard put to it for three days, or so. And this, mostly, for their security, as the Church in the Canticles.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 46. _Sitting in the midst of the doctors_] _Christus prius sedet in medio doctorum (ut recte distin._ 36, _Gratian) quam publice coepit mu... [ Continue Reading ]
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. Ver. 47. _At his understanding_] Which was so large, even as man, that some have affirmed it to be infinite, and uncreated; but of this, his manhood being a creature, was incapable. Howbeit here our Saviour put forth a beam of... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 48. _Have sought thee sorrowing_] _Animo tristissimo, et afflictissimo._ God often cures a lethargy of security, by a fever of perp... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? Ver. 49. _Wist ye not_] Men, be they pleased or displeased, God must be obeyed.... [ Continue Reading ]
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. Ver. 50. _They understood not_] Yet were well versed in the Scriptures. If God give us not night as well as light, we are still to seek.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 51. _And was subject unto them_] Labouring with his hands, &c.,Mark 6:5 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. Ver. 52. _Increased in wisdom_] Being παιδαριογερων, as Macarius was called, while a child, for his extraordinary grace and gravity. The exercise of his wisdom, as it was more enlarged, became more lovely in the sight of God... [ Continue Reading ]