translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: LUK

label: NET study note

text: This decree was a formal decree from the Roman Senate.


text: Caesar Augustus refers to Octavian, who was Caesar from 27 b.c. to a.d. 14. He was known for his administrative prowess.


text: On Nazareth see Luke 1:26 . map For location see Map1-D3 ; Map2-C2 ; Map3-D5 ; Map4-C1 ; Map5-G3 .


text: The journey from Nazareth to the city of David called Bethlehem was a journey of about 90 mi (150 km). Bethlehem was a small village located about 7 miles south-southwest of Jerusalem. map For location see Map5-B1 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-E2 ; Map10-B4 .


text: Luke’s use of the term “house” probably alludes to the original promise made to David outlined in the Nathan oracle of 2 Sam 7:12-16 , especially in light of earlier connections between Jesus and David made in Luke 1:32 . Further, the mention of Bethlehem reminds one of the promise of Mic 5:2 , namely, that a great king would emerge from Bethlehem to rule over God’s people.


text: The strips of cloth (traditionally, “swaddling cloths”) were strips of linen that would be wrapped around the arms and legs of an infant to keep the limbs protected.


text: Some argue that shepherds were among the culturally despised, but the evidence for this view of shepherds is late, coming from 5th century Jewish materials. December 25 as the celebrated date of Jesus’ birth arose around the time of Constantine (ca. a.d. 306-337), though it is mentioned in material from Hippolytus ( a.d. 165-235). Some think that the reason for celebration on this date was that it coincided with the pagan Roman festival of Saturnalia, and Christians could celebrate their own festival at this time without fear of persecution. On the basis of the statement that the shepherds were living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night it is often suggested that Jesus’ birth took place in early spring, since it was only at lambing time that shepherds stood guard over their flocks in the field. This is not absolutely certain, however.


text: The Greek word for today ( σήμερον , shmeron ) occurs eleven times in the Gospel of Luke ( 2:11; 4:21; 5:26; 12:28; 13:32-33; 19:5, 9; 22:34, 61; 23:43 ) and nine times in Acts. Its use, especially in passages such as 2:11, 4:21, 5:26; 19:5, 9 , signifies the dawning of the era of messianic salvation and the fulfillment of the plan of God. Not only does it underscore the idea of present fulfillment in Jesus’ ministry, but it also indicates salvific fulfillment present in the church (cf. Acts 1:6; 3:18 ; D. L. Bock, Luke [BECNT], 1:412; I. H. Marshall, Luke , [NIGTC], 873).


text: The sign functions for the shepherds like Elizabeth’s conception served for Mary in 1:36 .


text: Glory here refers to giving honor to God.


text: Note how although angels delivered the message, it was the Lord whose message is made known , coming through them.


text: The mention of glorifying and praising God is the second note of praise in this section; see Luke 2:13-14 .


text: Jesus’ parents obeyed the angel as Zechariah and Elizabeth had ( 1:57-66 ). These events are taking place very much under God’s direction.


text: An allusion to Exod 13:2, 12, 15 .


text: The offering of a pair of doves or two young pigeons , instead of a lamb, speaks of the humble roots of Jesus’ family – they apparently could not afford the expense of a lamb.


text: A quotation from Lev 12:8; 5:11 (LXX).


text: Once again, by mentioning the Holy Spirit , Luke stresses the prophetic enablement of a speaker. The Spirit has fallen on both men (Zechariah, 1:67 ) and women (Elizabeth, 1:41 ) in –2 as they share the will of the Lord.


text: The phrase according to your word again emphasizes that God will perform his promise.


text: This short prophetic declaration is sometimes called the Nunc dimittis , which comes from the opening phrase of the saying in Latin, “now dismiss,” a fairly literal translation of the Greek verb ἀπολύεις ( apolueis , “now release”) in this verse.


text: To see Jesus, the Messiah, is to see God’s salvation .


text: Is the phrase all peoples a reference to Israel alone, or to both Israel and the Gentiles? The following verse makes it clear that all peoples includes Gentiles, another key Lukan emphasis ( Luke 24:47 ; Acts 10:34-43 ).


text: In other words, Jesus is a special cause for praise and honor (“ glory ”) for the nation.


text: The phrase the falling and rising of many emphasizes that Jesus will bring division in the nation, as some will be judged ( falling ) and others blessed ( rising ) because of how they respond to him. The language is like Isa 8:14-15 and conceptually like Isa 28:13-16 . Here is the first hint that Jesus’ coming will be accompanied with some difficulties.


text: The remark the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed shows that how people respond to Jesus indicates where their hearts really are before God.


text: A sword refers to a very large, broad two-edged sword. The language is figurative, picturing great pain. Though it refers in part to the cross, it really includes the pain all of Jesus’ ministry will cause, including the next event in Luke 2:41-52 and extending to the opposition he faced throughout his ministry.


text: This remark looks to be parenthetical and addressed to Mary alone, not the nation. Many modern English translations transpose this to make it the final clause in Simeon’s utterance as above to make this clear.


text: The statements about Anna worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day make her extreme piety clear.


text: On the phrase the law of the Lord see Luke 2:22-23 .


text: With the description grew and became strong, filled with wisdom Luke emphasizes the humanity of Jesus and his growth toward maturity.


text: On the phrase the favor of God see Luke 1:66 .


text: The custom of Jesus and his family going to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover shows their piety in obeying the law ( Exod 23:14-17 ).


text: According to the Mishnah, the age of twelve years old is one year before a boy becomes responsible for his religious commitments ( m. Niddah 5.6).


text: An ancient journey like this would have involved a caravan of people who traveled together as a group for protection and fellowship.


text: The return to Jerusalem would have taken a second day, since they were already one day’s journey away.


text: Three days means there was one day out, another day back, and a third day of looking in Jerusalem.


text: There was wonder ( all who heard…were astonished ) that Jesus at such a young age could engage in such a discussion. The fact that this story is told of a preteen hints that Jesus was someone special.


text: This was the first of many times those around Jesus did not understand what he was saying at the time ( 9:45; 10:21-24; 18:34 ).


text: On the phrase his mother kept all these things in her heart compare Luke 2:19 .