Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 2:20

"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them." — Luke 2:20 (ASV)

In contrast to the overreaction of the people, Mary meditates on the meaning of it all (cf. v.51). Just as the seventy-two disciples later returned with joy after their preaching mission (10:17), so the shepherds returned “glorifying and praising God” (v.20). It is clear that in Luke this spirit of doxology is the proper response to the mighty words of God (cf. 5:25–26; 7:16; 13:13; et al.).