This is sovereign of God, as mentioned in Prov. 21:1. By this census Mary and Joseph were brought from Nazareth to Bethlehem that the Savior might be born there for the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the place of His birth (Micah 5:2; John 7:41-42).
The royal house and family in line to inherit the throne of David (Luke 3:23-31; 1:32; cf. Matt. 1:6-16).
Luke presents a Man-Savior. After the narration of the conception of the Man-Savior, Luke gives us in this chapter an excellent record of:
1) His genuine human birth, which was according to the law of God's creation of man, that He might be a Man-Savior for the salvation of man;
2) His physical circumcision, carried out according to the law of God's ordination (vv. 21-24), that He might be the legal seed of Abraham (Gen. 17:9-14), the One in whom God's promise to Abraham — "In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 12:3) — as the gospel announced to him (Gal. 3:8), could be fulfilled for all the Gentiles (Gal. 3:14);
3) His physical growth, which was according to the law of human life (v. 40), that He might be a perfect man to express God for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan;
4) His proper boyhood, during which He grew in His interest concerning the things of God, which interest was related to His deity as the Son of God the Father (vv. 40-52), that He might have the full measure of wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men.
The record here concerning the Savior's birth and youth is very different from that in Matt. 2. What Matthew recorded of events that occurred at the Savior's birth and during His youth constitutes striking evidence of Christ's legitimate kingship. Luke also recorded the Savior's birth and youth, but what he recorded were events of a different category, events that offer strong proof of Jesus' genuine humanity. The two records cover only two of the different aspects of the Savior's wonderful status. See note Matt. 2:21a.
The Man-Savior's life began in a manger in the lowest estate because the inn was occupied by fallen mankind with his busy activities.
Their work in shepherding the flock (which provided not only food for man but also offerings to God) and their diligence in keeping the night watches qualified them to be the first to receive the good news of the wonderful birth of the Savior, which was announced by the angel.
A baby in a manger, signifying smallness in lowliness, was a sign of the Man-Savior's life.
This little baby is called "the mighty God" in the prophecy concerning the Man-Savior (Isa. 9:6).
The exultation of the angels, who were excited by the birth of the Savior for man's salvation (cf. Luke 15:7), resulted in their praising God.
The coming of the Savior rendered glory to God in the heavens and brought peace to men on earth.
Men chosen by God according to His good pleasure (Eph. 1:5).
Lit., word.
This kind of sacrifice indicates the offerers' poverty (Lev. 12:8). Poverty was another characteristic of the Man-Savior's life.
Righteous mainly toward men and devout toward God.
The Man-Savior is the consolation of God's chosen people.
The Man-Savior is God's salvation given to His people.
The Man-Savior is a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.
The Man-Savior was appointed by God to be a test to the children of Israel, so that many of them would be stumbled by Him and many raised up by Him (Rom. 9:33).
The Man-Savior is also a sign, a token, spoken against, contradicted, and opposed by the people who take sides with His enemy, so that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed. In Simeon's word the Man-Savior was revealed as the consolation of Israel, the salvation of God, a light to the Gentiles, the glory of Israel, a test to Israel, and a sign opposed.
Acts 28:22; Psa. 69:12; cf. Matt. 11:19; John 9:24
While the Man-Savior as a sign is spoken against, the suffering also pierces the inner being of the one who brings Him forth. This is to experience His suffering in our experience of Him.
What is within man's heart is easily revealed by his attitude toward Christ.
Or, And she was a widow for eighty-four years.
1 Tim. 5:3, 5, 9
Lit., serving as a priest.
The Man-Savior as the redemption of God's people.
Some MSS read, in.
The Man-Savior was born in Bethlehem, the city of David, and remained there only briefly; but He was raised in Nazareth, a despised city, which was in Galilee, a despised region. This was arranged by the sovereignty of God in order to make Him a despised person. Being despised was another characteristic of the Savior's human life.
The wisdom of the Savior's deity (Col. 2:2-3) was revealed in proportion to the measure of His bodily growth. So in v. 52.
As a man, even Jesus needed the grace of God for His human life. He was filled with the wisdom of His deity and needed the grace of God in His humanity.
John 11:55; Deut. 12:5, 11, 14, 18, 26; 16:16
At the age of twelve, a boy was called by the Jews "son of the law" and first incurred legal obligation (Alford). The number twelve signifies eternal perfection in God's administration. Hence, twelve years old indicates that what the Lord did here was altogether related to God's administration.
Ordained by God that one might be legally a male in Israel (Deut. 16:16).
Lit., painfully distressed.
Indicating that the boy Jesus was caring for the interest of God.
Or, in My Father's house.
Indicating the deity of the boy Jesus (John 5:18). In His humanity He was the son of His parents; in His deity He was the Son of God the Father.
In His humanity He was subject to His human parents.
The Greek word denotes not only stature, as in Luke 19:3, but also age (see note Matt. 6:271).
cf. 1 Sam. 2:26
In grace before God because He was growing in the expression of God according to God's desire; in grace before men because He was growing in the divine attributes manifested in the human virtues, which were gracious to men. He was growing as a God-man before God and men.
