Luke 2:9

Luk 2:9-12. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them — Επεστη αυτοις, stood over them, that is, appeared in a visible form, standing in the air over their heads; and the glory of the Lord shone round about them — Not only a great light, but such a glorious splendour as used to represent the presence of God, and was often attended with a host of angels, as here, Luk 2:13. And they were sore afraid — At so uncommon and so awful an appearance. And the angel said — In the mildest and most condescending manner; Fear not — Thus the angel Gabriel had encouraged Zacharias and Mary, Luk 1:12; Luk 1:30. As if he had said, The design of my appearing to you hath nothing terrible in it, but the contrary: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy — The original expression here is peculiar, ευαγγελιζομαι υμιν χαραν μεγαλην, I evangelize unto you great joy. So the Vulgate. Or, I announce unto you good tidings, which shall be matter of great joy, and that not only to you, and the Jewish nation in general, but to all people, to the whole human race: for unto you, and all mankind, is born this day, this welcome, blessed day, a Saviour — That Isaiah , 1 st, A Deliverer from ignorance and folly, from guilt, condemnation, and wrath, from depravity and weakness, in which the whole human race are involved through the fall of their first parents and their own actual transgressions; in other words, from sin, and all its consequences: 2d, A Restorer (so σωτηρ also means) to the favour and image of God, and communion with him, lost by the same fall: and, 3d, A Preserver, (as the same word also implies,) namely, unto eternal life; one as willing as able to keep such as perseveringly believe in him, through faith, unto final salvation; to keep them from falling, and to present them faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Who is Christ — The Messiah, the divinely — appointed Prophet, Priest, and King of his people; their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; and who is sufficiently qualified to sustain these unspeakably important offices and characters, because he is the Lord, God as well as man, God manifest in the flesh, the Lord that in the beginning laid the foundations of the earth, &c., Heb 1:10; and without whom was not any thing made that was made, Joh 1:3; Col 1:16. The message refers to Isa 9:6, Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And this shall be a sign unto you — The angel gives them a sign for the confirmation of their faith in this important matter. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, &c. — Doubtless they would expect to be told that they should find him, though a babe, dressed up in fine robes, and lying in state, in the best house of the town, with a numerous train of attendants: no, you will find him lying in a manger. And surely they might know him by this token, for what other babe could be found in so mean a condition? For the shepherds to have found the Messiah lying in a manger, might have scandalized them. It was therefore very proper that the angel should forewarn them of this circumstance, and make it the signal whereby they should distinguish him. When Christ was here on earth, he distinguished himself, and made himself remarkable, by nothing so much as the instances of his humiliation.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2:9-10 terrified: As with Zechariah and Mary, the angelic presence was glorious and frightening. The angel told the shepherds, “Don’t be afraid” (cp. 1:11-13, 28-30). • I bring you good news: This verb (Greek euangelizō, “I evangelize”) is from the same root as the word for “Good News” (Greek euangelion, sometimes translated gospel; e.g., Gal 2:5, 7, 14). Isaiah’s prophecies describe God’s salvation as good news (see, e.g., Isa 52:7; 61:1). • to all people (literally to all the people): In Luke’s writings, “the people” (grammatical singular) always refers to the people of Israel. The shepherds were being told that Israel’s salvation had arrived. It would ultimately go to all nations.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Luk 2:9. Ἄγγελος, the angel) In every instance of Christ’s humiliation, measures were taken by a kind of befitting protest [precaution against His humility causing His divinity to be lost sight of], to secure the recognition of His divine glory. In this passage this was effected by the announcement of the angel: in His circumcision, by means of the giving to Him the name ‘Jesus’ [= God Saviour]: in His purification, by the testimony of Simeon: in His baptism, by the objection John the Baptist raised [John forbade Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized of Thee,” etc., Mat 3:14]: in His passion, by ways and means far exceeding in number all the previous instances.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Luk 2:9 . ἐπέστη , used elsewhere by Lk. in reference to angelic appearances, eighteen times in his writings in all = stood beside; one more than their number, suddenly. περιέλαμψεν : here and in Act 26:13 , only, in N. T. = shone around. ἐφοβήθησαν , they feared greatly; yet they were not utterly unprepared, their thoughts had been of a Divine gracious visitation waiting for the consolation of Israel; subjective and objective corresponding.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Came suddenly upon them, when they thought of no such matter.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

glory of the Lord--"the brightness or glory which is represented as encompassing all heavenly visions" [OLSHAUSEN].

sore afraid--So it ever was (Dan 10:7-8; Luk 1:12; Rev 1:17). Men have never felt easy with the invisible world laid suddenly open to their gaze. It was never meant to be permanent; a momentary purpose was all it was intended to serve.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 9. The angel of the Lord came upon them] Or, stood over them, επεστη. It is likely that the angel appeared in the air at some little distance above them, and that from him the rays of the glory of the Lord shone round about them, as the rays of light are protected from the sun.

They were sore afraid.] Terrified with the appearance of so glorious a being, and probably fearing that he was a messenger of justice, coming to denounce Divine judgments, or punish them immediately, for sins with which their consciences would not fail, on such an occasion, to reproach them.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(9) Came upon them.—The Greek verb, like the English, implies a sudden appearance. The form of the angel was probably, as in Mar_16:5, that of a young man in white apparel. (See Note on Luk_1:12). The wings of angels are, without exception, an after-thought of Christian imagination, those of Isa_6:2, Eze_1:6, Rev_4:8, being connected with the mysterious figures of the cherubim, the “living creatures” seen in apocalyptic vision.

The glory of the Lord . . .—The word suggests the thought of the Shechinah, or cloud of intolerable brightness, which was the token of the divine presence in the Tabernacle and the Temple (1Ki_8:10-11; Isa_6:1-3). (See Note on Joh_1:14.) Never before had there been such a manifestation to such men as these. What had been the privilege of patriarchs and priests was now granted to shepherds, and the first proclamation of the glad tidings was to those who were poor in their outward life as well as in spirit.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

9. And lo] The phrase often introduces some strange or memorable event.

the angel] Rather, an Angel.

came upon them] Epestê—a common word in St Luke, who uses it eighteen times, Luk_24:4; Act_12:7, &c. It may mean stood by them.

the glory of the Lord] The Shechinah, or cloud of brightness which symbolised the Divine Presence, as in Exo_24:16; 1Ki_8:10; Isa_6:1-3; Act_7:55. See on Luk_1:35. The presence of the Shechinah was reckoned as one of the most precious blessings of Israel, Rom_9:4.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And lo, the angel of the Lord,.... It may be Gabriel, who had brought the tidings of the conception of the Messiah to the virgin, and now the birth of him to the shepherds:

came upon them; on a sudden, unexpectedly, at once, and stood by them, as some versions read; or rather, stood over them, over their heads, just above them; so that he was easily and perfectly seen by them,

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; or a very glorious and extraordinary light shone with surprising lustre and brightness all around them; by which light, they could discern the illustrious form of the angel that was over them:

and they were sore afraid; at the sight of such a personage, and at such unusual light and glory about them: they were not used to such appearances, and were awed with the majesty of God, of which these were symbols, and were conscious to themselves of their own sinfulness and frailty.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Ver. 9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord] Gabriel, likely, was sent, not to Zacharias or Simeon, &c., but to certain shepherds. God goes a way by himself, Had the sages of the East met with these shepherds, they had received better intelligence than they did from the learned scribes.

And the glory of the Lord] As when a king’s son is born, bonfires are made, &c.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The glory of the Lord - This is the same as a “great” glory - that is, a splendid appearance or “light.” The word “glory” is often the same as light, 1Co 15:41; Luk 9:31; Act 22:11. The words “Lord” and “God” are often used to denote “greatness” or “intensity.” Thus, “trees of God” mean great trees; “hills of God,” high or lofty hills, etc. So “the glory of the Lord” here means an exceedingly great or bright luminous appearance perhaps not unlike what Paul saw on the way to Damascus.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Christ was promised to men who by their occupation were shepherds, Gen 47:3. He himself was the chief Shepherd, and the true Shepherd, Joh 10:11. The first publication of his birth is made to shepherds; not to shepherds that were idle, but busied in their honest vocations, keeping their flocks. This publication of his birth is made by an angel, whether the angel Gabriel before mentioned, or another, is not certain. This angel surprises the shepherds, cometh upon them thinking no such thing, but only minding their business. The angel comes in a glorious appearance, probably an extraordinary light, for it is said, it

shone round about them: such an appearance of extraordinary light is Luk 9:31,32. That

they were sore afraid was but natural; we are naturally affected at sudden and unusual appearances with fear and amazement.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

9. The angel—An angel. No particular angel is specified.

Came upon— Expressive of more suddenness than appeared to them would be.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The angel of the Lord came upon them; better, an angel. The Greek word rendered "came upon them a very favorite word with St. Luke suggests a sudden appearance. The glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. The white shining cloud of intolerable brightness, known among the Jews as the Shechinah, the visible token of the presence of the Eternal, in the bush, in the pillar of fire and cloud which guided the desert-wanderings, in the tabernacle and the temple. It shone round the Redeemer on the Mount of Transfiguration. It robed him when, risen, he appeared to the Pharisee Saul outside Damascus. The occasional presence of this visible glory was exceedingly precious to the chosen people. The terror felt by the shepherds was the natural awe ever felt by man when brought into visible communion with the dwellers in the so-called spirit-world.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

angel

(See Scofield "Heb 1:4")

The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

9. The angel of the Lord. An angel announces the conception of Jesus; a host of angels publish his birth; in his temptation an angel strengthens him; in his agony an angel comforts him; at his resurrection an angel rolls away the stone from the door of the sepulcher; at his ascension the angels attend him up to heaven; and at his second coming to judge the world he shall be “revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.”

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

9. καί. The phrase ἰδοὺ often introduces some strange or memorable event; but is here omitted by אBL and some versions.

ἐπέστη. A common word in St Luke, who uses it eighteen times, Luk 24:4; Act 12:7, &c. It may mean stood by them.

δόξα κυρίου. The Shechinah, or cloud of brightness which symbolised the Divine Presence, as in Exo 24:16; 1Ki 8:10; Isa 6:1-3; Act 7:55. See on Luk 1:35. The presence of the Shechinah was reckoned as one of the most precious blessings of Israel, Rom 9:4.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

9.] δόξα—the brightness of God’s presence—the Shechinah (see reff.) which also accompanied His angels when they appeared to men. It is agreeable at least to the analogy of the divine dealings, to suppose with Olshausen, that these shepherds, like Symeon, were waiting for the consolation of Israel.

10,

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

9. ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐπέστη αὐτοῖς. The notion of coming suddenly is not inherent in the verb, but is often derived from the context: see on ver. 38.1 In N.T. the verb is almost peculiar to Lk., and almost always in 2nd aor. In class. Grk. also it is used of the appearance of heavenly beings, dreams, visions, etc. Hom. Il. 10:496, 23:106; Hdt. 1:34, 2, 7:14, 1. Comp. Luk 24:4; Act 12:7, Act 23:11.

δόξα Κυρίου. The heavenly brightness which is a sign of the presence of God or of heavenly beings, 2Co 3:18: comp. Luk 9:31, Luk 9:32. In O.T. of the Shechinah, Exo 16:7, Exo 16:10, Exo 16:24:17, 40:34; Lev 9:6, Lev 9:23; Num 12:8, etc. This glory, according to the Jews, was wanting in the second temple.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Behold. Omitted by the best texts.

The angel. More correctly an angel, as Rev. The Greek has no article. Came upon [επεστη] . The word is used in this sense in classical Greek, as well as in that of to stand by, which Rev. prefers here, as in Act 12:7. In verse 38 of this chapter, Rev. renders coming up. The rendering to come upon has a hostile flavor, as properly in Act 17:5, where the verb is rendered assaulted; so that the Rev. rendering here is preferable. They were sore afraid. Lit., feared with great fear.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.