THE BIRTH OF JEUS

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And 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:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And 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.

THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And 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.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21And 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.

JESUS IS DEDICATED IN THE TEMPLE

22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present himto the Lord;

23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name wasSimeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27And 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,

28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34And 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;

35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36And 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;

37And 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.

38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

JESUS SPEAKS WITH THE LEADERS IN THE TEMPLE

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43And 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.

44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46And 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.

47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48And 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.

49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

1 And it came to passe in those dayes, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made whē Cyrenius was gouernor of Syria)

3And all went to bee taxed, euery one into his owne citie.

4And Ioseph also wēt vp frō Galilee, out of the citie of Nazareth, into Iudea, vnto the citie of Dauid, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and linage of Dauid,)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that while they were there, the dayes were accomplished that she should be deliuered.

7And she brought foorth her first borne sonne, and wrapped him in swadling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no roome for them in the Inne.

8And there were in the same countrey shepheards abiding in þe field, keeping watch ouer their flocke by night.

9And loe, the Angel of the Lord came vpon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.

10And the Angel said vnto them, Feare not: For behold, I bring you good tidings of great ioy, which shall be to all people.

11For vnto you is borne this day, in the citie of Dauid, a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a signe vnto you; yee shall find the babe wrapped in swadling clothes lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heauenly hoste praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good wil towards men.

15And it came to passe, as the Angels were gone away from them into heauen, the shepheards said one to another, Let vs now goe euen vnto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to passe, which the Lord hath made knowen vnto vs.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary and Ioseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seene it, they made knowen abroad the saying, which was told them, concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it, wondered at those things, which were tolde them by the shepheards.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepheards returned, glorifying & praising God for all the things that they had heard and seene, as it was told vnto them.

21And when eight dayes were accomplished for the circumcising of the childe, his name was called Iesus, which was so named of the Angel before he was conceiued in the wombe.

22And when the dayes of her purification according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they brought him to Hierusalem, to present him to the Lord,

23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Euery male that openeth the wombe, shalbe called holy to the Lord)

24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the Law of the Lord, a paire of turtle doues, or two yong pigeons.

25And behold, there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon, and the same man was iust and deuout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the holy Ghost was vpon him.

26And it was reuealed vnto him by the holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seene the Lords Christ.

27And hee came by the spirit into the Temple: and when the parents brought in the child Iesus, to doe for him after the custome of the Lawe,

28Then tooke hee him vp in his armes, and blessed God, and said,

29Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace, according to thy word.

30For mine eyes haue seene thy saluation.

31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.

32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33And Ioseph and his mother marueiled at those things which were spoken of him.

34And Simeon blessed them, and said vnto Marie his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising againe of many in Israel: and for a signe which shall be spoken against,

35(Yea a sword shall pearce thorow thy owne soule also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be reuealed.

36And there was one Anna a Prophetesse, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had liued with an husband seuen yeeres from her virginitie.

37And she was a widow of about fourescore and foure yeeres, which departed not from the Temple, but serued God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38And she comming in that instant, gaue thankes likewise vnto the Lord, and spake of him to al them that looked for redemption in Hierusalem.

39And when they had performed all things according to the Lawe of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their owne citie Nazareth.

40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit filled with wisedome, and the grace of God was vpon him.

41Now his parents went to Hierusalem euery yeere, at the feast of the Passeouer.

42And when he was twelue yeeres old, they went vp to Hierusalem, after the custome of the feast.

43And when they had fulfilled the dayes, as they returned, the childe Iesus taried behind in Hierusalem, and Ioseph and his mother knew not of it.

44But they supposing him to haue bene in the company, went a daies iourney, and they sought him among their kinsefolke and acquaintance.

45And when they found him not, they turned backe againe to Hierusalem, seeking him.

46And it came to passe, that after three daies they found him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the Doctours, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47And all that heard him were astonished at his vnderstanding, and answeres.

48And when they sawe him, they were amazed: and his mother said vnto him, Sonne, why hast thou thus dealt with vs? Behold, thy father and I haue sought thee sorrowing.

49And he said vnto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist yee not that I must bee about my fathers businesse?

50And they vnderstood not the saying which he spake vnto them.

51And he went downe with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subiect vnto them: But his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52And Iesus increased in wisedom and stature, and in fauour with God and man.

II == Acts 5:37

IV == 1st Sam 16:1 , 4 ; Matt 1:16 ; Luke 1:27 ; John 7:42

V == Matt 1:18 ; Luke 1:27

VII == Matt 1:25

X == Matt 28:19 ; Mark 1:15 ; Luke 2:31-32

XI == Isa 9:6 ; Matt 1:16 , 21 ; Luke 1:43

XIII == Gen 28:12 ; Dan 7:10 ; Rev 5:11

XIV == Isa 57:19 ; Luke 1:79 ; John 3:16 ; Eph 1:6 ; 2:4 ; 2nd Thess 2:16 ; 1st John 4:9-10 ; Rev 5:13

XIX == Gen 37:11 ; Luke 1:66 ; 2:51

XXI == Gen 17:12 ; Lev 12:3 ; Matt 1:21 , 25 ; Luke 1:31 , 59

XXII == Lev 12:2-4 , 6

XXIII == Ex 13:2 ; 22:29 ; 34:19 ; Num 3:13 ; 8:17 ; 18:15

XXIV == Lev 12:2 , 6 , 8

XXV == Isa 40:1 ; Mark 15:43 ; Luke 2:38

XXVI == Ps 89:48 ; Heb 11:5

XXVII == Matt 4:1

XXIX == Gen 46:30 ; Phil 1:23

XXX == 52:10 ; Luke 3:6

XXXII == Isa 9:2 ; 42:6 ; 49:6 ; 60:1-3 ; Matt 4:16

XXXIV == Isa 8:14 ; Matt 21:44 ; Rom 9:32-33 ; 1st Peter 2:7

XXXV == Ps 42:10 ; John 19:25

XXXVIII == Mark 15:43 ; Luke 1:25 ; 24:21

LX == Luke 1:80 ; 2:52

XLI == Ex 23:15 , 17 ; 34:23 ; Deut 16:1 , 16

XLVII == Matt 7:28 ; Mark 1:22 ; Luke 4:22 , 32 ; John 7:15 , 46

LXIX == John 2:16

L == Luke 9:45 ; 18:34

LI == Dan 7:28 ; Luke 2:19

LII == 1st Sam 2:26 ; Luke 2:40

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. 9 The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. 10 The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." 15 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." 16 So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18 All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 19 And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 21 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord," 24 and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 28 he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: 29 "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." 33 The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. 41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, 42 and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. 43 After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, 47 and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." 49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced (in) wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

v 3-5. The registration was in the ancestral town where the family records were kept and included the names of the family and the declared value of their property on which they would pay tax. Jesus was from the “espoused” wife. Later children would be from the wife.
“Women had to be enrolled also and were subject to the poll tax. Mary was of the line of David, and hence would also have to go to Bethlehem.” Jesus was thus enrolled on Roman records as one of their servants.

Why Christ born four years before Christ?

When Christ was born it was recorded in the Roman Empire from the founding of the time of Rome. After Christianity became the universal religion a monk named Dionysius Exiguus by the request of the emperor Justinian made the Christian Calendar. From A. D. 526 reckoning time from the birth of Christ to supersede the Roman Calendar. Long, Long time after the Christian Calendar had replaced the Roman Calendar a mistake was found placing Christ birth in 753 from the founding of Rome. The date should of been 749.

 

v 6,7. All Jewish babies were washed, then washed in salt water, salt rubbed into the naval and then wrapped in the strips of swaddling cloths, Ezek. 16:4. The sign to the shepherds was His lying in a manger, and swaddling cloth proved to them that He was newborn

v 8-14. All Passover lambs are bred and groomed at Bethlehem. They are not kept in folds where they might become soiled, but are always kept on clean grass in the pasture. That is why shepherds were said to be in the fields watching their flocks that night.
One angel was spokesman, followed by a heavenly host praising God. The shepherds were terrified but were told not to fear, they had a message of peace.
v 15-20. Leaving the sheep in the hands of God, just as men did when they went to the feasts, Ex 34:24, the shepherds found everything as stated. They were the first to proclaim His birth, but most people were merely amazed. Religious leaders did not bother to check it out.
v 21. On the 8th day Jesus was taken to the synagogue in Bethlehem to be circumcised, and was given the name, Jesus, as commanded. Since Joseph had accepted him as his own to protect Mary, he was the legal son of Joseph, and in line eligible to be king. His registry would read, Jesus, son of Joseph son of Jacob, son of Matthan, etc. as in Matt. 1 If he had been born from Joseph’s line he could not have been king because of the curse on Coniah, Jer. 22:30. 
v 22-24. Thirty three days later they went the five miles to Jerusalem to present Jesus to the Lord. After the priest questioned Mary if this was truly her first born Joseph would pay the five shekel redemption fee, Num, 18:16. The priest probably refunded a portion since they were poor, Lev. 27;8. Mary, being poor, took only two pigeons or two turtledoves instead of a lamb for her purification, Lev. 12:1-8. Not until after this could their marriage finally be consummated.
v 25-32. Simeon had been kept alive by the Lord until he would see the Messiah. When he saw the baby Jesus, the Holy Spirit revealed it to him. He took him in his arms and blessed him. He recognized Him as the Savior of the world and the light to the Gentiles.
v 33. Joseph and Mary were thinking mainly of the Messiah setting up His kingdom, so being a light to the Gentiles was amazing to them.
v 34,35. Simeon declared that Jesus would have opposition, (sign spoken against) and Mary’s own grief would be like a sword thrust. Only those who followed Jesus would find salvation. Others would fall.
v 36-38. Anna, a prophetess, was a young virgin when she married, but her husband had died in seven years. Now she was about eighty four years old, and because of her great piety, she was permitted to live in one of the chambers of the women’s court. She remained in the temple serving God with fasting and prayers at any time of the night or day. She not only thanked the Lord on seeing Messiah, but told others of similar faith. 
v 39-41. Luke completely omits the account of the Wise Men and the exile in Egypt, since his main purpose was not to show the rejection of Messiah. He jumps the 65 miles to Nazareth mentions Jesus’ favorable growth, and annual trips to the Passover.
v 42-50. By the age of 12 he would of visited Jerusalem regularly at least three times a year at the great festivals. Parents and schools connected with the Synagogues would of taught him the Old Testament and precepts. Luke picks up again at the trip to Passover when Jesus was twelve.

HIS VISIT TO JERUSALEM

The great Theologian of the Temple were astounded that a boy of 12 would have so a great knowledge and familiarity with the Old Testament. Jesus used it to resist tempter (Matthew 4:4,7,10) Went to the cross to fulfill it (Matthew 27:54) Uttered his dying ago-nus in quotation from it. (Matthew 46)

THE LANUAGE OF GALELEE

In Jesus time Aramaic was the common language which he used. He was also instructed in Hebrew because the Old Testament Scriptures were written in. He would of had knowledge in Greek which was also used by a large part of the population and a universal language of the time. Jesus would ob been familiar with the Hebrew and Septuagint Old Testaments.

Jesus was so dependable that they could reasonably assume He had gone on with relatives to be ahead of the dust that would be stirred up by thousands leaving. They traveled out a day, back a day, and found Jesus the following day. They no doubt consulted all relatives and friends before considering the temple. This of course was not the temple itself, but probably the room at the east end of the south portico where the Sanhedrin sat in a semicircle. It was sometimes used in this manner. The teachers and parents were both amazed. Mary and Joseph may have understood the reference to the heavenly Father, but the others were still perplexed. 
v 51,52. Jesus returned in subjection to His parents. When Joseph died, Jesus would have taken over the business, Mk. 6:3, and head of the home, being eldest son. He would begin His ministry at age 30, the age at which priests took office.