Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Luke 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Luke 2
"Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." — Luke 2:1-7 (ASV)
The fullness of time had now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law. The circumstances of his birth were very humble. Christ was born at an inn; he came into the world to sojourn here for a while, as at an inn, and to teach us to do likewise.
We have become by sin like an outcast infant, helpless and forlorn; and Christ was such a one. He well knew how unwilling we are to be humbly lodged, clothed, or fed; how we desire to have our children decorated and indulged; how inclined the poor are to envy the rich, and how prone the rich are to disdain the poor.
But when we by faith view the Son of God being made man and lying in a manger, our vanity, ambition, and envy are checked. We cannot, with this sight rightly before us, seek great things for ourselves or our children.
"And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this [is] the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased. And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 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 2:8-20 (ASV)
Angels were heralds of the newborn Savior, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who were attending to their duties, keeping watch over their flock. We remain in the path of divine visits when we are engaged in honest work and remain with God in it. Let God have the honor of this work: Glory to God in the highest. God's goodwill to men, manifested in sending the Messiah, contributes to His praise.
Other works of God are for His glory, but the redemption of the world is for His glory in the highest. God's goodwill in sending the Messiah brought peace into this lower world. Peace here represents all the good that flows to us from Christ's taking our nature upon Himself. This is a faithful saying, attested by an innumerable company of angels and fully worthy of all acceptance: that the goodwill of God toward men is glory to God in the highest, and peace on the earth.
The shepherds lost no time but came with haste to the place. They were satisfied and proclaimed widely concerning this child: that He was the Savior, even Christ the Lord. Mary carefully observed and pondered all these things, which were so suited to enliven her holy affections. We would be more delivered from errors in judgment and practice if we pondered these things more fully in our hearts.
It is still proclaimed in our ears that to us is born a Savior, Christ the Lord. This should be good news to all.
"And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." — Luke 2:21-24 (ASV)
Our Lord Jesus was not born in sin, and did not need that mortification of a corrupt nature or that renewal to holiness, which were signified by circumcision. This ordinance was, in his case, a pledge of his future perfect obedience to the whole law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even to death for us.
At the end of forty days, Mary went up to the temple to offer the appointed sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also presented the holy child Jesus, because, as a first-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord, and redeemed according to the law.
Let us present our children to the Lord who gave them to us, beseeching him to redeem them from sin and death, and make them holy to himself.
"And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord`s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace; For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel. And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." — Luke 2:25-35 (ASV)
The same Spirit who provided for the support of Simeon's hope also provided for his joy. Those who want to see Christ must go to the temple. Here is a confession of his faith, that this Child in his arms was the Savior, salvation itself, the salvation appointed by God. He says farewell to this world.
How poor this world looks to one who has Christ in his arms and salvation in his view! See here, how comfortable is the death of a good man; he departs in peace with God, peace with his own conscience, peace with death. Those who have welcomed Christ may welcome death.
Joseph and Mary marveled at the things that were spoken of this Child. Simeon also shows them what reason they had to rejoice with trembling. And Jesus, his doctrine, and his people, are still spoken against; his truth and holiness are still denied and blasphemed; his preached word is still the touchstone of people's characters.
The secret good inclinations in the minds of some will be revealed by their embracing Christ; the secret corruptions of others will be revealed by their enmity to Christ. People will be judged by the thoughts of their hearts concerning Christ. He shall be a suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with him, because of the closeness of her relationship and her affection.
"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." — Luke 2:36-40 (ASV)
There was much evil then in the church, yet God did not leave himself without witness. Anna always dwelt in, or at least attended, the temple. She was always in a praying spirit; she gave herself to prayer, and in all things she served God. Those to whom Christ is made known have great reason to thank the Lord.
She taught others concerning him. Let the example of the venerable saints, Simeon and Anna, give courage to those whose gray heads are, like theirs, a crown of glory, when found in the way of righteousness. The lips soon to be silent in the grave should be proclaiming the praises of the Redeemer. In all things it was fitting for Christ to be made like his brethren; therefore, he passed through infancy and childhood as other children, yet without sin, and with manifest proofs of the divine nature in him.
By the Spirit of God all his faculties performed their functions in a manner not seen in anyone else. Other children have foolishness bound in their hearts, which appears in what they say or do, but he was filled with wisdom by the influence of the Holy Spirit; everything he said and did was wisely said and wisely done, beyond his years. Other children show the corruption of their nature; nothing but the grace of God was upon him.
Jump to: