#1356 Luke 3 Part 2 Jesus Maternal Lineage

 

23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. Luke 3: 23-38 ESV

Luke 3: 23-38

Was about thirty years of age - He will die at the age of 33, but His ministry as our advocate before the Father continues. Thirty was the age of a certain maturity, when one was pulled from the priestly clan of Levi to the temple service. Jesus fulfills all righteousness here as well in keeping with the law. He is forever our High Priest.

…2“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families, 3men from thirty to fifty years old — everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 4This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things.… Numbers 4: 2-4

…16one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 18So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless… Hebrews 7: 16-18

Being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph - This is actually Jesus lineage through Mary, and both are of the tribe of Judah, but you always do the line through the father. Joseph was not physically Jesus' dad, but he was legally by adoption. I know it's boring to look at a long ancestral list; it looks like roll call at school, but this lineage is important. The Jews kept very good records of family for some very practical reasons:

1. Most important is that God has prophesied about the seed of the woman, and later prophecies show that the Messiah would come from the line of David, who was of the tribe of Judah. 

…9Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? 10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his. 11He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.… Genesis 49: 9-11

…16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open: 17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. 18Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.… Numbers 24: 16-18

More on the Star from Numbers

More from Matthew detailed and cool video

2. Lineage was also important concerning rights to a throne.

3. Lineage was of high importance to Israelites because this is the way their land was allotted. The land stayed with the families. If you sold your land it was only for the time until the next Jubilee, which happened every 50 years, and at that time the land must be returned to the family.

…21You are to divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22 You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who dwell among you and who have children. You are to treat them as native-born Israelites; along with you, they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 23In whatever tribe a foreigner dwells, you are to assign his inheritance there,” declares the Lord GOD.… Ezekiel 47: 21-23

4. Lineage was important in accordance with the priesthood, they had to be sons of Aaron from the tribe of Levi. This tribes portion was not allotted by an assigned area for the clan, but their portion was the Lord. They worked in the temple and were paid from the offering. 

…63And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.… Nehemiah 7: 63-65

5. Lineage was used when the people paid taxes. So God provides a structure to insure the prophecies about His Messiah, Who is to come from the tribe of Judah, a Son of David. So when Jesus later makes the claim to being the Messiah, being a Son of David, being the Son of God, the easiest way to dispel this claim would be to look up His lineage, to look at the tax record. As much as His enemies hated Him I am sure that's what they did, but you never see that claim brought against Him, though they mention that He is supposed to come from the tribe of David, that they know He comes from Nazareth which doesn't seem to fit, and so look at the record. His parents are both of the Davidic line and they went to Bethlehem to pay their taxes at the census. Just like the miracles though, when they couldn't outwardly deny what their eyes saw, they blamed it on the devil, and in their Talmud they concocted a story about His mother being a whore, and Jesus being trained in Egypt to be a magician. Well that explains the miracles. 

Now there are some differences in the names in the two records (Matthew 1:1-17, Luke 3)....In Matthew's genealogy and in Luke's genealogy we have different names in the records. Now let me... Let me help you to see what I'm saying. Luke traces Jesus' line back to David through Nathan. Look at Lk 3:31, "Son of Nathan, son of David." Now Nathan was David's third son born to Bathsheba. You remember Bathsheba? Okay, Nathan was her third son...David's third son, I should say, born to Bathsheba. So this line in Luke goes back to David through his son, Nathan. But the first son born to Bathsheba was whom? Solomon. And the genealogy in Matthew goes back through Solomon. So in Matthew's genealogy you go back through Solomon to David. In Luke's genealogy you go back through Nathan to David. So you have two different lines. You have one being all the people who came out of Solomon...another, all the people who came out of Nathan. Secondly, Matthew identifies Jesus' grandfather as a man named Jacob (Mt 1:16). It says Jesus' earthly father was Joseph and his (Joseph's) father was Jacob. But Luke 3:23 says that Jesus' grandfather's name is Eli, or Heli....Now this is a difference. So you've got two sons of David. That's different. And you've got two grandfathers of Jesus, one being Jacob in the genealogy of Matthew, one being Eli in the genealogy of Luke. Both are royal lines because both come out of David. Solomon comes out of David, Nathan comes out of David. You have both those royal lines. Interestingly, from David to Abraham the genealogy of Matthew and Luke are identical. From David back to Abraham, the names are the same. But from David down, the names are completely different. When you read the genealogy in Matthew 1 and you go Joseph, Jacob, you go through a list of names back to Solomon. Then you come here, you read Eli, and you go through a list of names back to Nathan. Those lists are completely different names. So what you have then is two genealogies, right? They have two grandfathers, going back to two sons of David with different names. Very simple, you have two genealogies. You'd be amazed how people struggle to try to explain that. I don't know what the struggle is all about. Everybody has two genealogies like that. One is maternal and one is paternal. In Matthew you have the genealogy of Joseph through his father Jacob back to David through Solomon. In Luke you have the gene...genealogy of Mary through her father, Eli. So Jesus, like everybody, had two grandfathers. He had a paternal grandfather through his father named Jacob. He had a grandfather through his mother named Eli. Now it's very important to note this. What you have then in Matthew is the genealogy of Jesus back through Joseph. In Luke is the genealogy of Jesus back through Mary.

Now that is the simplest explanation of the differences in the names. The names are the same once you hit David because all you have to do is go back to David to prove the royal blood. That's where it starts. The names are the same from David to Abraham. They're different because they come through Solomon on Joseph's side, and through Nathan on Mary's side. It's that simple.

Now was this important? Absolutely important because: Anybody who ascended to the throne got the legal right to the throne through his father, through his father. Even if there was an adoption the father still made that son a legal son by adoption. And Jesus could only receive the right to rule through His father. Genealogical records were traced through the males. That's why there are no females listed in Luke's genealogy. There are no females listed in the entire seventy-seven names because they come through the males. Even though it's Mary's genealogy, no female is mentioned, not even Mary is mentioned, and I'll explain that in a moment because that was not the form in a classic genealogy..... Jesus, though He was not the human son of Joseph, received His legal right to the throne from His adopted father, Joseph. Joseph was considered the true father of Jesus when he was the husband of Mary, even though Jesus was not His son physically. Because he married Mary whose son Jesus was, he became the legal father of Jesus. Therefore, from Joseph Jesus receives the legal right to the throne. It's interesting, just as a footnote. In that line from Solomon there's a name of a man, Jeconiah. Jeconiah was cursed and the curse on Jeconiah is in Jeremiah 22:24-30 and it says, "Jeconiah is cursed and no son of his will ever sit on the throne of Israel, ever." That's interesting because that's Joseph's line. Isn't that amazing? No son of his ever did sit on the throne. Jesus was not the son of Joseph. He did receive the legal right but he was not the natural child. So the curse was intact. (See another source - What is the curse of Jeconiah?)

Now, Luke then gives the genealogy of Mary back through Nathan, Solomon's brother. Matthew gives the paternal, Luke the maternal. Matthew goes Joseph, Jacob, Solomon, David and Luke goes Mary, Eli, Nathan, David. And again, the legal right comes from the father but somebody might want to argue that, somebody might want to say, yeah, yeah, that's the way we've done it, yeah we agree, adoption, etc., etc. But in the case of the Messiah, it's got to be the li... It’s got to be the blood of David, he’s got to be a blue blood. He’s got to have the real stuff.

And so, here is the genealogy of Mary which Luke gives under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to prove not only does He have the legal right to rule through His father, but He has the blood of David in his veins because of His mother. So either way, He is a descendant of David. He can be King legally through Joseph. He can be King naturally through Mary. The credentials are clear, they are detailed and they are irrefutable..... - Precept Austin

#1355 Luke 3 Part 1 The Voice

 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled,

and every mountain and hill shall be made low,

and the crooked shall become straight,

and the rough places shall become level ways,

6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3: 1-22 ESV

Luke 3: 1-22

In the fifteenth year - At this point in history in this particular geographical area. The Israelites have been under gentile rule since the Babylonian captivity. The northern kingdom since before that, the time of the Assyrians. Assyria was broken by Babylon, Babylon took the southern kingdom of Judah, then the Persians took Babylon, the Greeks took Persia, and now during Jesus time Israel is under Roman rule. 

John the son of Zechariah - This is John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, the herald of good news. Like the prophets of old, the word of the Lord comes to John, or upon him; it is his calling. Jeremiah paints a very powerful picture of what this looks like, and it requires the power of God or the speaker will crumble. It is an artesian well of sorts.

In the high priesthood of Annas (hannas) and Caiaphas (Kaiaphas) (See gotquestions on Annas and Caiaphas). While Caiaphas (18-36 AD) was the ruling high priest at the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry, his predecessor Annas (6-16 AD) still exerted considerable influence as we see from passages like John 18:13; Acts 4:6. NET Note says that "Use of the singular high priesthood to mention two figures is unusual but accurate, since Annas was the key priest from A.D. 6–15 and then his relatives were chosen for many of the next several years. After two brief tenures by others, his son-in-law Caiaphas came to power and stayed there until A.D. 36."

The Word (rhema) of God came to John the son of Zacharias - Click here for detailed summary of John. This description of the inception of John's ministry is unique to Luke's Gospel and only Luke tells us his father's name was Zacharias (cf Lk 1:5, 8-20+) which is given to differentiate him from other Jews who were named John. - Precept Austin

Notice also that the phrase the Word (rhema) of God came to John literally reads the word of God came upon John! G. Campbell Morgan observes, “The force of the preposition (upon, Greek epi) is that of pressure from above. The word of the Lord came UPON him, pressed down UPON him from above! Here is the qualification for preaching. The message of God comes UPON a man.” - Precept Austin

More on the Baptist

…8For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long. 9If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail. 10For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”… Jeremiah 20: 8-10

Proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins - This will be the message associated with the Lamb of God. It is the best news ever, but men won't receive it for they are more inclined towards their sins, more drunken with their own ideals of goodness. Jesus will call for us to repent and believe, for the Kingdom is at hand, He is our entry, and what good is it to hold on to that which will be eternally hated by God. I ask that you change your mind, that you realize your state, that you accept what God says of you, and I plead with Him that He gives you a new heart and mind to do so. 

…18But in this way God has fulfilled what He foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer. 19Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, 20that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you.… Acts 3: 18-20

The voice of one crying in the wilderness - This is from Isaiah, telling of one who would come preaching repentance, clearing the way for the Lord. He is like the heralds of old that went before the kings, repairing the roads and bridges so there was nothing to slow their progression.

…2“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed; her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.” 3A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.… Isaiah 40: 2-4

You brood of vipers - John had not yet learned how to suck up, and his message is good news to those that receive it, but it is judgment to hypocrites. Being called a viper was far from a compliment, especially to a people who saw serpents as unclean and representative of the devil. Jesus teaches the Pharisees and Sadducees in the same way.

John MacArthur notes that "John’s message stands in sharp contrast to the “cheap grace” and “easy-believism” that characterizes much watered-down contemporary preaching. Such deficient preaching strips the gospel of its warning that sinners have violated God’s law and face His wrath and judgment in eternal hell unless they repent. The predictable result of a shallow, superficial gospel presentation devoid of a biblical call to repentance is a shallow, superficial, non-saving response. As a result, churches are filled with many who profess to know Jesus Christ, but since they have never repented the Lord will say to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23). Although they imagine themselves to be on the narrow way that leads to eternal life, they are in reality on the broad way that leads to eternal destruction (Mt 7:13–14; cf. 25:12; Acts 8:13, 18–23; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:16)." (See Luke Commentary) - J Mac from Precept Austin

…43Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!… John 8: 43-45

Who warned you to flee (pheugo) from the wrath to come - These men did not want the Messiah. They wanted a "fire insurance policy" or a "free ticket" (instead of an "all day pass" they wanted an "all eternity pass!") granting entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven! What a picture John presents -- what happens when there is a fire in the desert? The snakes flee from the heat of the fire. God's coming wrath would be far worse, beginning being cast into Hades (a "place of torment" Lk 16:28+), and ending with Hades being thrown into the Lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 20:15+), where "they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Rev 20:10+), Whether this is literal or figurative fire, the effect is to produce eternal torment. John emphasizes this coming wrath of God, a truth which should stir a fear in every human heart and in turn motivate a desire for genuine repentance.

The wrath (orge) to come - Literally "the (present tense - continually) coming wrath." This is God's righteous judgment coming upon this sinful orb and described in vivid detail in Revelation 6-19+ and the Great White Throne judgment in Rev 20:11-15+. Ps 2:12 says "His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!" (Have you hidden with Christ in God by grace through faith? Col 3:3+) The present tense is used in a proleptic sense for so certain is the wrath of God to come to pass in the future. This phrase is reminiscent of Romans 1:18+ where Paul writes that "For the wrath (orge) of God is (present tense - continually being) revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who (CONTINUALLY, ACTIVELY, WILLFULLY) suppress the truth in unrighteousness." - Precept Austin

We have Abraham as our father - John was letting them know that this was no trinket religion of outer form or birthright. God could raise up stones to Abraham, after all, He created man from the dust. People are prone to this even today, "I am related to this famous person', or 'I traced my ancestry back to an inventor, a ruler, a warrior, a philanthropist." So what, they are all sinners in need of a Savior just like you. God is looking for obedience that comes from a changed heart. What does He tell "the teacher of Israel", Nicodemus, "you must be born again." You won't go to heaven because you're a good person or because you are related to someone who you think is a good person, there's none righteous and so you will need a righteousness that comes from somewhere else, from Christ, the only good person. 

…26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. 28Then you will live in the land that I gave your forefathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God.… Ezekiel 36: 26-28

Whoever has two tunics - Israel had turned away from the idolatry of carved images, but not from greed. Jesus is going to correct them of their breaking the law regarding their parents, of stealing widows houses and not protecting the fatherless. It has been said that a nations moral well being can be best seen in how it treats it's old and it's young. In my time I have seen respect for elders decline and men of power be protected who have gone after the young. We also sanction the killing of human beings that we consider to be a burden, using words like "clump of cells and viability", we deem them less than human, not as valuable as our freedom to sin and live with neither repercussion or responsibility. A sign of true repentance from this is the desire to give and help others, to not want to see your brother left needy. Jesus extends this even to our enemies and this is also what the apostles taught. 

…19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.… Romans 12: 19-21

Tax collectors - These were considered by all to be the dregs of that society, and good for them because many of them could see it. Matthew was a tax collector who became a disciple. It's the "good" people who find it so difficult to accept the need; they are the most delusional about their state, and everyone confirms to them what they already believe about themselves. If the tax collector believes that he is a sinner, and trusts in God to save him then the fruit of it will be that he no longer rips people off.

Soldiers asked Him - Now this is a problem everywhere as far as I can see. The ones with the guns that don't allow others to have them become tyrants, and might makes right. When people sent food overseas for the people of Africa, everyone had a feel good "We are the world" moment, but a lot of food rots on docks because of bad governance, and those that have the guns then keep the food for power. There are also bad police that use their badges to extort money, or hold back drugs from a bust and then filter it through a criminal they allow to do the very thing they arrest someone else for. John the Baptist tells them to be satisfied with their wages, and we should all ponder this no matter what our vocation.

He Who is mightier than I is coming - John did not want them to think that He was the Messiah, that was not His job, his honor was that Jesus was glorified, that he prepared the way before Him and pointed to Him. 

The chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire - Don't hear a lot of preaching like that these days. Most that get into the pulpit are not true shepherds, they don't warn because they look to fill the seats, and they can't stand the thought of someone not liking them.

That he locked up John in prison - You locked up your watchman for sounding the warning, for saying what God would have us to say. You are a fornicator, an idolater, an adulterer, and an incestuous buffoon, lacking any of God's qualities for a leader, and now you top it off by locking up the most righteous example among you. Herod locked up the one who was honest with him, and honest even knowing that it could cost him his life. That's the guy that loves you. He's the one telling you of the spiritual and things of eternal consequence. Herod wanted Joel Osteen but got stuck with John the Baptist. 

You are My beloved Son - This is the greatest testimony to the person of Jesus, the Father and the Spirit bearing witness. All three together at the same time, and for those that think God changes from one person to another like you neve see Clark Kent and Superman at the same time, well, I'm sorry, this dispels that.

#1354 Luke 2 Part 2 Two Pigeons

 

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

according to your word;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation

31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 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 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Luke 2: 22-52 ESV

Luke 2: 22-52 Childhood Glimpses

Every male who first opens the womb - The first born, as the blood on the door protected the firstborn of the tribes of Jacob when the Angel of Death came during the first Passover night. Every male was to be circumcised, and the first born ransomed. Jesus is getting circumcised as a part of fulfilling all righteousness, in perfect keeping of the law. The whole tribe of Levi was set apart as a tithe unto the Lord, a ransom for the rest of Israel, as Jesus will be the High Priest for all who are set free from the bonds of sin.

…2“Say to the Israelites, ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be unclean for seven days, as she is during the days of her menstruation. 3And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised. Leviticus 12: 2-3

“Let us now speak first of the purification. Luke makes it apply both to Mary and to Christ: for the pronoun of them, can have no reference whatever to Joseph.” (Calvin)

iii. “For He who knew no sin, and who never was to know sin, was already in His circumcision made sin for us. He was not so much as eight days in this world till he began to be numbered with the transgressors. Mary’s firstborn son was a lamb without blemish and without spot, but before He was a week old, He began to bear the sins of many…And as He began in the temple that day, so He continued every day to lead a life of pain, and shame, and bloodshedding, for us for our children, till He finished on the cross the sin-atoning work His Father had given Him to do. And ever after that first day of His wounding of our transgressions, that Holy Thing bore in His body the marks of our redemption.” (Whyte) - Enduring Word

A pair of turtle doves - This was the offering of the poor. Jesus was not born into a wealthy family.

…7And the priest will present them before the LORD and make atonement for her; and she shall be ceremonially cleansed from her flow of blood. This is the law for a woman giving birth, whether to a male or to a female. 8But if she cannot afford a lamb, she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’” Leviticus 12: 7-8

Simeon, righteous and devout, waiting on the consolation of Israel - He was familiar with the prophets, so he is waiting on the One Who will bring lasting peace to Israel. It is interesting, the watchmen, the faithful there are not the high priests, the Pharisees (apostate conservatives) and the Sadducees (apostate liberals), but these believers who continue in prayer and hope. There is always but a small remnant, and the Kingdom is so much in reverse to what men would consider influential. Simon's name means "to be heard".

For my eyes have seen Your salvation - Everyone that God has moved to bare testimony to Who Jesus is were devout, humble people, much like His earthly parents. Simeon seas the Messiah and is happy to die blessed for here is Salvation. 

For the fall and rising of many: This would be shown in the way that Peter repented, but Judas despaired; in that one thief blasphemed, the other believed. Jesus is like a magnet that is attractive to some, but others are repelled from Him. - E Word

A light for revelation to the Gentiles - We who were a far off. This was the mission of Israel, and this was unfulfilled and so Christ continues to fulfill all righteousness. He is the light of the world, and His name has spread throughout the earth, revealing to men their falleness and God's holiness. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one will ever be right with God except through Jesus. 

A sword will pierce through your own soul also - Being Christ mother meant being the mother of the Lamb that was intended for slaughter. Regardless of what one does or does not comprehend intellectually, in that we know Christ must die, yet to be so close as to watch your child suffer this, most parents can appreciate it being the sort of thought you keep back from your own mind. 

A prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher - Anna's name means "favor, grace". Asher was one of the 10 northern tribes, and many think from a narrow reading of God's word, not taking the whole of it, that those tribes lost their representation when Assyria took them into captivity. The northern tribes had a long lineage of evil and corrupt kings who didn't want people to go down to Jerusalem to worship. There was a remnant even there, in each of these tribes, that remained loyal to the true God and His word, and so there were many migrations of these dear people into the southern kingdom of Judah and Benjamin. 

Lenski notes that in regard to her gift "she resembled Philip’s daughters (Acts 21:9), and she used her gift in a similarly quiet way. The title does not mean that she constantly foretold the future, or that she put herself forward publicly, but that she knew and interpreted the Word and the will of God for edification as 1 Cor. 14 describes this so valuable charisma." (See context in The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel)

And what a dramatic contrast godly Anna was with the only other NT use of the word prophetess (prophetis) describing ungodly Jezebeel. John records the words of the risen, glorified Lord Jesus...

‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.(Rev 2:20+) - Precept Austin

…10And the couriers traveled from city to city through the land of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun; but the people scorned and mocked them. 11Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12Moreover, the power of God was on the people in Judah to give them one heart to obey the command of the king and his officials according to the word of the LORD.… 2 Chronicles 30: 10-12

…10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal. 12The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates.… Revelation 21: 10-12

Worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day - Hers is the most powerful of ministries, that of a prayer warrior. She knows exactly Who to go to, Who will get it right, Who has the power to bring about change. I have known a couple of women like this in my life, and for them the answer is always Jesus and they don't just fast so as not to eat food, not like a hunger strike, but to search the word and pray. They say in essence, this is more important than food. It is also interesting that she did not remarry and remained at the temple for probably some 60 or more years. She has the gift of celibacy, and I knew a woman like this who was always sincere in her faith, always about the word and prayer. It gave her great wisdom and discernment, which she used to look right through me, and very directly tell me, "you have a lot of the world in you." That stuck with me over the years, and when I finally broke I learned to look for that myself, to set different priorities, to read what God has to say, and profess it to my children. I cannot give them anything better than the knowledge of God, and I cannot teach them better than living this walk before them. 

After three days they found Him in the temple - Luke gives us a wonderful look into Jesus' early years. He is twelve, the time at which young Jewish boys are at a turning point, for at 13 you will enter into the start of manhood, apprenticeships and keeping the law. His parents were traveling back home when they realized they had lost the Son of God.

And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom (ethos) of the Feast The Jewish father was required to acquaint the children with the Law, and when the child turned 13 he was required to fulfill the Law. Jesus’ parents were perhaps getting him accustomed to the Law by taking him at age 12 to the Feast, which refers to the Feast of the Passover. The irony is that one day when He grew up Jesus would again go up to the Feast, but would go to present Himself as the Passover Lamb! (Jn 1:29+, Isa 53:7+)

Robert Stein - At the age of thirteen a Jewish boy became obligated to observe the law (Nid. 5:6; Nazir 29b) and in more recent years has begun to be called a “son of the covenant—Bar-Mitzvah.” (See Luke: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition) - Precept Austin

All who heard Him were amazed at His understanding - The theories put forth by the religious elite, that Jesus was taught by magicians in Egypt, to explain His later miracles, are astounding testaments to Who He really is. It could even be seen in His youth, that and the fact that all of Scripture points to Him. This is God the Son, become man to walk in the Spirit of God, obeying the law and even submitting to earthly parents. He wears humility in a way that baffles us, for we all fall upon some idea of being entitled. He is already teaching here, and this will be a major thrust of His ministry. 

Did you not know that I must be in My Father's house - This house told the redemption story, and it is a house where true worshipers also show up among the ritualist. It was to be a house of prayer, and though He is quite calm here, later He will drive people out of the temple. This is God's house, and He is the Son of God, so a good place to start.

12Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. 13And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 14The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.… Matthew 21: 12-14

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man - He grew up, and He continued to do as we were meant to, glorifying God in the everyday. Let it be that no ill can honestly be said of God's children. 

#1353 Luke 2 Part 1 Birth of Jesus

 

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 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.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2: 1-21 ESV

Luke 2: 1-21

Steven Cole has interesting introduction - A few years ago, newscaster Andy Rooney responded to the charge that his profession only covered the negative side of everything. He imagined a newscast in which it was reported that planes took off and landed safely. In Florida, the orange crop was hit by another night of average weather. The oranges just hung in there and grew. In Detroit, General Motors announced that 174,000 Chevrolets would not be recalled because they were all perfect. Rooney’s point was that good news isn’t always appreciated unless it’s against the backdrop of bad news. Our text tells us the best news in the world, but two factors make it difficult for people to appreciate it. First, the Christmas story is perhaps the most widely known story in history. As a result, many people, even Christians, shrug it off as not being especially exciting or relevant to the problems they are facing. Second, many people do not realize what dire straits they are in regarding their standing before God and their eternal destiny. So when they read the familiar story that a Savior has been born in the city of Bethlehem, they yawn and say, “That’s nice. What’s for dinner?” Not seeing their desperate need for salvation, they fail to appreciate the fact that this story is the best news in all of history. The best news in the world is that a Savior was born for you, who is Christ the Lord. A couple of years ago, Moody Magazine (Jan./Feb., 1996) reported that 49 percent of professing Christians agree that “all good people, whether they consider Jesus Christ to be Savior or not, will live in heaven after they die.” (ED: Compare this August, 2021 Barna report which notes that of Americans who claim to be born again "60% believe that if a person is good enough, or does enough good things, they can earn their way into Heaven." Woe! Jesus' words in Mt 7:21-23+) If that opinion is true, then the story of the birth of Jesus may warm your heart and make you feel good. But it won’t be the best news in the world, news that you cannot live without. However, if the Bible is correct in stating that all people have sinned and apart from Christ they are under God’s condemnation (ED: cf Ro 3:10, Ro 3:20, Ro 3:23, Ro 6:23), then the news that the Savior has been born is hardly just nice! It is the best news in the world and it is absolutely crucial! (The Best News in the World Luke 2:1-20) - Precept Austin

A decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered - Rome is the major world ruler at this time, and they are taking a census in order to tax the people. 

Which is called Bethlehem - It is of utmost importance that the mother of Jesus be taken from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town where David grew up. This is to insure that the word of God is kept and true, for Bethlehem is the prophesied place for the One to be ruler over Israel to come forth. The census of Caesar gives Joseph reason to take Mary to Bethlehem.

1Now, O daughter of troops, mobilize your troops; for a siege is laid against us! With a rod they will strike the cheek of the judge of Israel. 2But 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. 3Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the children of Israel.… Micah 5: 1-3

 

Laid Him in a manger - What humble beginnings for the King of all to put on. There was not even a place for Him at the inn. Many say, "well if I would have known Who it was, if I would have known He was of royalty", but Jesus says, "when you have done it unto the least of these My brethren you have done it unto Me." Do you recognize Him now, are you still too busy, is He still so unappealing? Will you not make room?

1Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him. Isaiah 53: 1-2

Jesus birth from Matthew

There were shepherds out in the field - Luke will be giving this to someone most likely of great political stature, Most Excellent Theophilus, but he is doing a sort of divinely inspired documentary, so he must give all that the Spirit wants, no more, no less. I say this because shepherds were of very low esteem, many were like our carnies today, outliers, poor men, hirelings. They would not have held much in the way of influence, and their testimonies would mean little to most. These, like the fishermen, would be men of low education that the world would easily overlook.

Kostenberger comments - Paul’s words are a fitting commentary on the way God works in general, including the circumstances of the Messiah’s birth. What is more, just as the worship of the magi pointed forward to Jesus’s ethnically universal rule (encompassing both Jew and Gentile), the message to the shepherds points forward to an accessibility that depends not upon one’s status (religious or socioeconomic), position, wealth, or prestige. The birth of this child was good news for all! (The First Days of Jesus: The Story of the Incarnation) - Precept Austin

And they were filled with great fear - Here we go again, and again an angel has to tell them, fear not.

I bring you good news of great joy - The gospel is the best news, it is news that carries eternal weight, unfathomable glory. The gospel starts with telling the bad news, the truth of men's current state as creatures fallen from communion with God and deserving of His just wrath. 

…22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6: 22-23

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior Who is Christ the Lord - This is the good news, that God is just and unchanging, yet He has given of Himself, His Son, the One Who is of the same essence yet another Person. He has given Him as a Savior, a conqueror of  sin in life, and a payment for my sin in His death. This is extraordinary news, and yet we are not born aware of it, and men take it as such a light thing, but there is no greater gift.

15that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.… John 3: 15-17

Glory to God in the highest - This must have been quite a spectacle for these poor shepherds. Kings and Pharisees would almost expect the delights of such a visitation. The self righteous will always wonder why God reaches out to the wretched.

And on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased - Jesus is the peace offering that brings us back into fellowship with God, forever tearing the shroud to the Most Holy.

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3: 4-7

Peace (1515)(eirene from verb eiro = to join or bind together that which has been separated) literally pictures the binding or joining together again of that which had been separated or divided and thus setting at one again, a meaning convey by the common expression of one “having it all together”. It follows that peace is the opposite of division or dissension.

Wiersbe adds "The Jewish word shalom (peace) means much more than a truce in the battles of life. It means well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. It has to do more with character than circumstances. Life was difficult at that time just as it is today. Taxes were high, unemployment was high, morals were slipping lower, and the military state was in control. Roman law, Greek philosophy, and even Jewish religion could not meet the needs of men’s hearts. Then, God sent His Son!" (Scroll to page 144 in The Bible Exposition Commentary) - Precept Austin

When the angels went away from them into heaven - The shepherds can't wait to look into the pronouncement of the angels.

When the angels (aggelos/angelos) had gone away from them into heaven - While they had departed visibly into a very real place called Heaven, a place all followers of Christ will also one day enter. When we die we will be absent from our body and present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:6-8+, Php 1:21-24+). No delays! No limbo! No purgatory. No soul sleep. Instant entrance into the same Heaven to which these angels returned, into the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We may not have visible angels today but we can be certain they also "appear" for our aid. The writer of Hebrews says (referring to angels) asks a rhetorical question - "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?" (Heb 1:14+). - Precept Austin

Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart - The shepherds repeated to her what was in the same vane and context that the angel Gabriel had explained. To hold one's child is a meditation, but to hold the Son of God is difficult to conceive. She is a little girl, but yet so wise, quietly taking it all in, but also securing it in her mind. 

Spurgeon on pondering them in her heart - (Mary) Weighed them, estimated them at their right value. Mary laid these things up in store, and pondered them, giving them their due weight and value. Oh, that we did the same with every truth that we learn! The best of coffers to lay up anything in is the heart. Happy are those who, like Mary, store up the things of Christ, not in their brain though that would make them orthodox; but in their heart, for that will bring them salvation. (Luke Exposition) - Precept Austin

He was called Jesus - Savior