Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 2:8

"And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock." — Luke 2:8 (ASV)

There may be several reasons for the special role of the shepherds in the events of this unique night. Among the occupations, shepherding had a lowly place. Shepherds were considered untrustworthy and their work made them ceremonially unclean. Thus the most obvious implication is that the Gospel first came to the social outcasts of Jesus’ day. This would accord with a recurring emphasis in Luke. It may also be significant that the Lord reminded David, who was to become Messiah’s royal ancestor, that he was called from the shepherd’s life (2 Samuel 7:8). Finally, in both OT and NT shepherds symbolize all the ordinary people who have joyfully received the Gospel and have become in various ways pastors to others. As to the time of year of the nativity, Luke provides no clue.