Luke 2:10

good tidings the rendering of the verb euangelizomai(see on Luke 1:19).

of great joy See Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 61:1; Romans 5:11; 1 Peter 1:8. The contrast of the condition of despair and sorrow into which the heathen world had sunk and the joy of Christians even in the deepest adversity as when we find "joy" to be the key-note of the letter written to Philippi by the suffering prisoner St Paul is a striking comment on this promise. Even the pictures and epitaphs of the gloomy catacombs are rail of joy and brightness.

to all people Rather, to all the people, i. e. of Israel.