Lucas 2
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 2
Guzik has an interesting comment - We often think that Mary was close to delivery when they made this journey, but this may not have been the case at all. Joseph may have been anxious to get her out of Nazareth to avoid the pressure of scandal. Luke tells us that it was while they were in Bethlehem, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. i. According to the Roman law, Mary didn’t have to go with Joseph for the tax census; but it made sense for her to go with Joseph, especially because she was in the latter stages of a controversial pregnancy – surely the subject of much gossip in Nazareth. “It is possible that he used the emperor’s order as a means of removing Mary from possible gossip and emotional stress in her own village. He had already accepted her as his wife (Matthew 1:24), but apparently continued in betrothal (Luke 2:5), pledged to be married, till after the birth.” (Liefeld) The days were completed (pimplemi) for her to give birth (tikto) - The most profound event in the history of the world other that the crucifixion and resurrection is described by Luke in straightforward even understated manner! We do not know how long the couple had been in Bethlehem or whether they had already registered for the taxation rolls. Obviously, Joseph and Mary knew the time was nigh from the size of her tummy and would realize that it would not be wise to travel back to Nazareth with Jesus' birth so imminent. As
Lucas 2
Guzik - Many have said that a late December date is impossible, because shepherds would not have been out at night at that time of year. Nevertheless, warm winters are not unknown in Judea, which has a climate remarkably similar to Southern California. (Enduring Word Commentary) Leon
Lucas 2
Guzik - The circumcision and purification ceremonies were necessary as a reminder that we are all born in sin (Psalm 51:5). Jesus could have been excused because He was not born in sin. Yet, we see Him even as a baby, identifying with sinners, as He also later did at His baptism and on the cross. Before His circumcision (peritemno) - So He was named and then circumcised. So Luke seems to place emphasis on His naming more so than on His circumcision, although the two are certainly connected. As
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Guzik - The contrast between the angelic glory and the humble Jesus must have seemed extreme. God loves to put His glory in unlikely packages so His glory is more clearly displayed (2 Corinthians 4:7+). Jesus took our place so that we might receive His peace. And on earth peace (eirene) among men with whom He is pleased (eudokía) - NIV is good = "to men on whom his favor rests." It is not the good will of men but the good will of God, God's favor on His people. As John
Lucas 2
Guzik comments that "This was a strange sight, and the specific sign they were told to look for. They no longer heard or saw angels, but they had the abiding encounter with Jesus. Angels may go, but Jesus remains." John
Lucas 2
Guzik comments that "Mary’s reaction was different than either the shepherds or those who heard them. She calmly took it all in and meditated over it in her heart, seeking to understand the deep meaning of it all.“The wonder of the many was a transient emotion (aorist), this recollecting and brooding of Mary was an abiding habit (imperfect).” (Bruce). Mary had good reason to meditate. What brought her to Bethlehem? A Roman emperor’s great decree and perhaps gossiping tongues in Nazareth. God works through all kinds of people and all kinds of events to accomplish His plan. Robert Stein observes that the fact that Mary was pondering these things "along with Luke 2:51 indicates that Mary did not fully understand the implications of all that happened to her." Luke includes more than one reference to Mary's puzzlement and ponderings about these amazing witnesses concerning Jesus (Lk 1:29; 2:48, 50). 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) A T
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Guzik - It was as if Simeon were commanded by God to keep a lonely watch through the night until he saw the sun come up. This now was, for him, God’s sunrise, and because Jesus had come, Simeon could be relieved of his watch. Cambridge Bible - On leaving a dying person the Jews said, ‘Go in peace’ (Be shalôm), Genesis 15:15. Otherwise they said, ‘Go to peace’ (Le shalôm) as Jethro did to Moses. See on Luke 7:50. (Luke 2) Matthew
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Guzik - John Trapp quoted a poet’s expression of Simeon’s heart: “I fear no sin, I dread no death; I have lived long enough, I have my life; I have longed enough, I have my love; I have seen long enough, I have my light; I have served enough, I have my saint; I have sorrowed enough, I have my joy; Sweet babe, let this psalm serve as a lullaby to thee, and for a funeral for me. Oh, sleep in my arms, and let me sleep in they peace.” Lord (Master) (1203)(despotes) means one who possesses undisputed ownership and absolute, unrestricted authority, so that the Greeks refused the title to any but the gods. The despotes was one who has legal control and authority over persons, such as slaves. In the NT despotes and kurios are used interchangeably of God, and of masters of servants. In Greek culture and terminology, servant and despótēs went together. It is notable that three times the saints use despotes when prayerfully entreating their Sovereign (Lk 2:29; Acts 4:24; Rev 6:10). Paul uses this title in his last letter "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master (despotes), prepared for every good work." (2 Ti 2:21+) Releasing...to depart (630)(apoluo from apó = from + lúo = loose) means to free fully, relieve, release, dismiss, set at liberty. As legal term, to grant acquittal, set free, pardon. Apoluo frequently has the sense of to let loose from another's custody as in Acts 17:9 and in all four Gospels describes the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus (Jn 18:39, Mt 27:15, 17, 21, etc, cf Acts 16:35). "The idea is that of loosing a person from a chain, or giving a prisoner release from captivity." (Ryle) "The word is often used of manumitting or setting free on payment of ransom; and as Simeon uses the word for bond-servant, it is evident that his death is conceived by him under the figure of enfranchisement from service." (Marvin Vincent) "The verb apoluō was common for the manumission of slaves and Simeon here calls himself “thy slave." (A T Robertson) Wiersbe mixes the meaning of apoluo and analuo in his comment that "The word depart in the Greek has several meanings (ED: WIERSBE IS NOT COMPLETELY CORRECT FOR HE IS REFERRING TO ANOTHER GREEK WORD VERY CLOSE TO APOLUO, THE GREEK VERB ANALUO ALSO USED TO DESCRIBE ONE'S IMPENDING DEATH - cf use in Php 1:23), and each of them tells us something about the death of a Christian. It means to release a prisoner (APOLUO USED THIS WAY), to untie a ship and set sail (IN CLASSIC GREEK REFERS TO ANALUO), to take down a tent (IN CLASSIC GREEK REFERS TO ANALUO), and to unyoke a beast of burden. God’s people are not afraid of death because it only frees us from the burdens of this life and leads into the blessings of the next life." (Scroll to page 145 in The Bible Exposition Commentary) Here are notes on analuo which apparently was what Wiersbe was thinking primarily about when he wrote this comment - The figure is breaking up a camp or loosening the mooring of a ship, to depart. The ancient Greeks used the word to indicate loosing the anchor of a ship in order to sail from a port. In the NT, to return (Lu12:36); to depart by loosing anchor, as it were, and setting sail to a better and a more blessed world, to die (Php1:23).
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Guzik - Sign is literally “a target that people shoot at.” Jesus would be the target of great evil. Bob
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Guzik - To satisfy this curiosity, men wrote their own so-called “Infancy Gospels.” They contain spectacular and silly miracles like Jesus talking from the manger; healing a man made into a mule by a spell; bringing clay birds to life with a clap of His hands; healing people with a sprinkling with his old bath water, and so forth. Yet, “Where the Scripture hath no tongue, we must have no ears.” (Trapp)\ Child (3813)(paidion diminutive of pais = child) is a little child of either sex, ranging from an infant (Mt 19:13, 14; Mk 10:13-15; Lk 18:16, 17, etc) to children who are older (Mt 11:16; Mt 14:21; 15:38; 18:2-5, etc) Paidion is used repeatedly of Jesus in Matthew (Mt 2:8-9, 11, 13-14, 20-21). Continued to grow (837)(auxano means to cause to grow or cause to become greater in extent, size, state, or quality. Become strong (be strengthened) (2901)(krataioo from krataios = strong <> see root kratos) means to be empowered, to be increased in vigor, to strengthen or in the passive voice (as in this verse) to be strengthened. From where was He strengthened? While it is difficult to fully comprehend, this strengthening is surely the effect of the Holy Spirit . Increasing (4137)(pleroo means to be filled (passive voice =acted on by outside force) to the brim (a net, Mt 13:48, a building, Jn 12:3, Acts 2:2, a city, Acts 5:28, needs Phil 4:19). The idea is to make complete in every particular with the idea that what fills you takes possession of you and controls you. This dynamic is shown in vivid contrast in Eph 5:18-note where you are controlled by wine or by the Spirit! Wisdom (4678)(sophia) is the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding. Grace (favor) (5485)(charis from from chairo = to rejoice. English = charity. Beggars need "charity" even as sinners need grace, for we are all spiritual paupers outside of Christ, but "God gives where he finds empty hands"-Augustine [cp Mt 5:3-note]) is a word which defies a simple definition but at its core conveys the sense of favor or an act of gracious kindness. The English word grace is from the Latin gratia meaning favor, charm or thanks. Gratia in turn is derived from gratus meaning free, ready, quick, willing, prompt. Webster defines grace as the "unmerited love and favor of God which is the spring and source of all benefits men receive from Him, including especially His assistance given man for his regeneration or sanctification. (Grace is) a virtue from God influencing man, renewing his heart and restraining him from sin. (Compare this more "modern Webster" with Noah Webster's original definition of grace) POSB has an interesting summary of Jesus' Infancy and Childhood - Jesus grew as a child—physically, spiritually, and mentally. The idea is that Jesus grew as a normal child. But note the added words: “waxed strong [ekrataiouto] in spirit” (a vigorous growth). He did not just grow in wisdom, He was “filled with wisdom” (pleroumenon sophiai). Simply stated, Jesus grew perfectly at every stage of life. ⇒ He grew physically as well as the human body could grow (perfectly well and healthy). ⇒ He “waxed strong in spirit,” as strong as a child could grow. ⇒ He was “filled with wisdom,” as much as a child could be filled. No other child had ever been or ever will be perfect in growth at the various stages of childhood, but the Christ-child was. He grew as well as a child can grow: filled perfectly with all the qualities that fill a child. b. Why did Christ come into the world as a child and not as a full-grown man? The first man, Adam, stood at the head of the human race as the natural representative of man, and he had been created as a full-grown man. Why not Jesus Christ, the second Adam? He, too, was sent into the world to stand at the head of the human race as the spiritual representative of man. Going through the stages of growth as a baby, then as a child, and then as a teenager is a humbling experience. Why did God subject His Son to such humiliation? There are at least two reasons. 1) Christ needed to set a striking example for every person, no matter the age, even for children. In lowliness of mind, He went through the experience of a helpless babe, then a dependent child, and then an independent and responsible man. The very fact that the Son of God stooped so low is shocking to any thoughtful person. It sets a striking example of humility and lowliness of mind for every man. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Ph. 2:3–8). 2) Christ needed to demonstrate a striking truth to all men: no person can enter heaven unless they first become as a little child. There was no better way to demonstrate the lesson than for the Son of God Himself to go through the humbling experience of becoming a child before becoming a man. “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 18:3–4). 3) Christ needed to experience every situation, condition, and trial of man in order to become the Perfect Sympathizer or Savior. For this reason, He experienced the most humiliating experiences possible. He experienced … • being born to an unwed mother (Mt. 1:18–19). • being born in a stable, the worst of conditions (Lu. 2:7). • being born to poor parents (Lu. 2:24). • having his life threatened as a baby (Mt. 2:13f). • being the cause of unimaginable sorrow (Mt. 2:16f). • having to be moved and shifted as a baby (Mt. 2:13f). • being reared in a despicable place, Nazareth (Lu. 2:39). • having His father die during His youth (see note, pt. 3—Mt. 13:53–58). • having to support His mother and brothers and sisters (see note, pt. 3—Mt. 13:53–58). • having no home, not even a place to lay His head (Mt. 8:20; Lu. 9:58). • being hated and opposed by religionists (Mk. 14:1–2). • being charged with insanity (Mk. 3:21). • being charged with demon possession (Mk. 3:22). • being opposed by His own family (Mk. 3:31–32). • being rejected, hated, and opposed by listeners (Mt. 13:53–58; Lu. 4:28–29). • being betrayed by a close friend (Mk. 14:10–11, 18). • being left alone, rejected, and forsaken by all of His friends (Mk. 14:50). • being tried before the high court of the land on the charge of treason (Jn. 18:33). • being executed by crucifixion, the worst possible death (Jn. 19:16f). Note that each of these experiences reaches the depth of humiliation. Christ stooped to the lowest point of human experience in every condition in order to become the Perfect Sympathizer (Savior). He can now identify with and feel for any person’s circumstances. (See context Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible-Luke) Luke 2:41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. went (KJV): Ex 23:14-17 34:23 De 12:5-7,11,18 16:1-8,16 1Sa 1:3,21 the (KJV): Ex 12:14 Lev 23:5 Nu 28:16 Joh 2:13 6:4 11:55 13:1 Luke 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ATTENDING THE FEAST OF PASSOVER It is fascinating to contemplate that the One Who is the fulfillment of the shadow of Passover was Himself taken to the Passover feast that pointed to Him! (1 Cor 5:7 = "Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.")! As Paul wrote several years later Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day– things (LIKE PASSOVER) which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.(Col 2:16, 17+) Every year at the Feast of the Passover - The Passover was a one-day feast and was followed immediately by the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread.