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Luke 2
Luke 2:1
General Information:
This gives background to show why Mary and Joseph have to move at the time of Jesus's birth.
Now
This word marks the beginning of a new part of the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
it came about that
This phrase is used to show that this is the beginning of an account. If your language has a way of showing the start of an account, you may use that. Some versions do not include this phrase.
Caesar Augustus
"King Augustus" or "Emperor Augustus." Augustus was the first emperor of the Roman Empire. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names and rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
sent out a decree ordering
This command was probably carried by messengers throughout the empire. Alternate translation: "sent messengers with a decree ordering" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
that a census be taken of all the people living in the world
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that they register all the people living in the world" or "that they count all the people in the world and write down their names" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
the world
Here the word "world" represents only the part of the world that Caesar August ruled. Alternate translation: "the Empire" or "the Roman world" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Luke 2:2
Quirinius
Quirinius was appointed to be the governor of Syria. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Luke 2:3
everyone went
"everyone started off" or "everyone was going"
his own city
This refers to the cities where people's ancestors lived. People may have lived in a different city. Alternate translation: "the city in which his ancestors lived" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
to be registered for the census
"to have his name written in the register" or "to be included in the official count"
Luke 2:4
General Information:
The UDB rearranges verses 4 and 5 into a verse bridge in order to make it easier to shorten the sentences. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-versebridge)
Joseph also
This introduces Joseph as a new participant in the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem
The phrase "the city of David" was a name for Bethlehem that tells why Bethlehem was important. Although it was a small town, King David was born there, and there was a prophecy that the Messiah would be born there. Alternate translation: "to Bethlehem, the city of King David" or "to Bethlehem, the town where King David was born" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
because he was of the house and family line of David
"because Joseph was a descendant of David"
Luke 2:5
to register
This means to report to the officials there so they could include him in the count. Use a term for an official government count if possible.
along with Mary
Mary traveled with Joseph from Nazareth. It is likely that women were also taxed, so Mary would have needed to travel and be registered as well. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
who was engaged to him
"his fiancee" or "who was promised to him." An engaged couple was considered legally married, but there would not have been physical intimacy between them.
Luke 2:6
General Information:
The UDB rearranges verses 6 and 7 into a verse bridge in order to keep together the details about the place they stayed. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-versebridge)
Now it came about
This phrase marks the beginning of the next event in the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
while they were there
"while Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem"
the time came for her to deliver her baby
"it was time to give birth to her baby"
Luke 2:7
wrapped him in long strips of cloth
In some cultures mothers comfort their babies by wrapping them tightly in cloth or a blanket. Alternate translation: "wrapped cloths firmly around him" or "wrapped him tightly in a blanket" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
laid him in a manger
This was some kind of box or frame that people put hay or other food in for animals to eat. It was most likely clean and may have had something soft and dry like hay in it as a cushion for the baby. Animals were often kept near the home to keep them secure and to feed them easily. Mary and Joseph stayed in a room that was used for animals.
there was no room for them in the inn
"there was no space for them to stay in the guest room." This was probably because so many people went to Bethlehem to register. Luke adds this as background information. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
Luke 2:8
General Information:
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Luke 2:9
An angel of the Lord
"An angel from the Lord" or "An angel who served the Lord"
appeared to them
"came to the shepherds"
the glory of the Lord
The source of the bright light was the glory of the Lord, which appeared at the same time as the angel.
Luke 2:10
Do not be afraid
"Stop being afraid"
that will bring great joy to all the people
"that will make all the people very happy"
all the people
Some understand this to refer to the Jewish people. Others understand it to refer to all people.
Luke 2:11
the city of David
This refers to Bethlehem.
Luke 2:12
This is the sign that will be given to you
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will give you this sign" or "You will see this sign from God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
the sign
"the proof." This could either be a sign to prove that what the angel was saying was true, or it could be a sign that would help the shepherds recognize the baby.
wrapped in strips of cloth
This was the normal way that mothers protected and cared for their babies in that culture. See how you translated this in Luke 2:7. Alternate translation: "wrapped firmly in a warm blanket" or "wrapped comfortably in a blanket" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
lying in a manger
This was some kind of box or frame that people put hay or other food in for animals to eat. See how you translated this in Luke 2:7.
Luke 2:13
a great multitude from heaven
These words could refer to a literal army of angels, or it could be a metaphor for an organized group of angels. Alternate translation: "a large group of angels from heaven" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
praising God
"giving praise to God"
Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest
Possible meanings are 1) "Give honor to God in the highest place" or 2) "Give the highest honor to God."
may there be peace on earth among people with whom he is pleased
"may those people on earth with whom God is pleased have peace"
Luke 2:15
It came about
This phrase is used to mark a shift in the story to what the shepherds did after the angels left.
from them
"from the shepherds"
to each other
"to one another"
Let us ... to us
Since the shepherds were speaking to one another, languages that have inclusive forms for "we" and "us" should use the inclusive form here. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
Let us
"We should"
this thing that has happened
This refers to the birth of the baby, and not to the appearance of the angels.
Luke 2:16
lying in a manger
A manger is a box or frame that people put hay or other food in for animals to eat. See how you translated this in Luke 2:7.
Luke 2:17
what had been said to them
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "what the angels had told the shepherds" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
this child
"the baby"
Luke 2:18
what was spoken to them by the shepherds
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "what the shepherds told them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 2:19
treasuring them in her heart
A person who thinks is something is very valuable or precious is "treasuring" it. Mary considered the things she was told about her son to be very precious. Alternate translation: "carefully remembering them" or "joyfully remembering them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Luke 2:20
shepherds returned
"shepherds went back to the sheep"
glorifying and praising God
These are very similar and emphasize how excited they were about what God had done. Alternate translation: "talking about and praising God's greatness" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
Luke 2:21
General Information:
The laws God gave the Jewish believers told them when to circumcise a boy baby and what sacrifice the parents had to bring.
When it was the end of the eighth day
This phrase shows the passing of time before this new event. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
the end of the eighth day
"the end of the eighth day of his life." The day he was born was counted as the first day.
he was named
Joseph and Mary gave him his name.
the name he had been given by the angel
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the name the angel had called him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 2:22
When the required number ... had passed
This shows the passing of time before this new event. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
the required number of days
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the number of days that God required" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
for their purification
"for them to become ceremonially clean." You can also state God's role. Alternate translation: "for God to consider them clean again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
they brought him up to the temple
"Mary and Joseph brought the baby up to the temple"
to present him to the Lord
"to bring him to the Lord" or "to bring him into the Lord's presence." This was a ceremony acknowledging God's claim on the firstborn children who were male.
Luke 2:23
As it is written
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "As Moses wrote" or "They did this because Moses wrote" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Every male who opens the womb
This is an idiom meaning the first male born into a family. This referred to both animals and people. Alternate translation: "The first male that a mother gives birth to" or "Every firstborn male" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Luke 2:24
what was said in the law of the Lord
"that which the law of the Lord also says." This is a different place in the law. It refers to all males, whether firstborn or not.
Luke 2:25
Behold
The word "behold" alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
was righteous and devout
These abstract terms can be expressed as actions. Alternate translation: "did what was right and feared God" or "obeyed God's laws and feared God"
consolation of Israel
The word "Israel" is a metonym for the people of Israel. To "console" someone is to give them comfort, or "consolation." The words "consolation of Israel" are a metonym for the Christ or Messiah who would comfort or bring consolation to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "the one who would comfort the people of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
the Holy Spirit was upon him
"the Holy Spirit was with him." God was with him in a special way and gave him wisdom and direction in his life.
Luke 2:26
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The Holy Spirit had shown him" or "The Holy Spirit had told him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ
"he would see the Lord's Messiah before he died"
Luke 2:27
Led by the Spirit
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "As the Holy Spirit directed him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
came
Some languages may say "went."
into the temple
"into the temple courtyard." Only priests could enter the temple building. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the parents
"Jesus's parents"
the custom of the law
"the custom of the law of God"
Luke 2:28
he took him into his arms
"Simeon took the infant Jesus into his arms" or "Simeon held Jesus in his arms"
Luke 2:29
Now let your servant depart in peace
"I am your servant; let me depart in peace." Simeon was referring to himself.
depart
This is a euphemism meaning "die" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
according to your word
"Word" here is a metonym for "promise." Alternate translation: "as you have promised" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Luke 2:30
my eyes have seen
This expression means, "I have personally seen" or "I, myself, have seen" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
your salvation
This expression refers to the person who would bring salvation—the infant Jesus—whom Simeon was holding. Alternate translation: "the savior whom you sent" or "the one whom you sent to save" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Luke 2:31
which you
Depending on how you translate the previous phrase, this may need to be changed to "whom you."
have prepared
"have planned" or "caused to happen"
Luke 2:32
A light for revelation to the Gentiles
This metaphor means that the child will help people to understand God's will. The Gentiles understanding God's will is spoken of as if they were people using physical light to see a solid object. You may need to make explicit what it is that the Gentiles will see. Alternate translation: "This child will enable the Gentiles to understand God's will as light allows people to see clearly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
for revelation
It may be necessary to state what is to be revealed. Alternate translation: "that will reveal God's truth" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
glory to your people Israel
"he will be the reason that glory will come to your people Israel"
Luke 2:33
what was said about him
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the things that Simeon said about him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 2:34
said to Mary his mother
"said to the child's mother, Mary." Make sure it does not sound like Mary is the mother of Simeon.
Behold
Simeon used this expression to tell Mary that what he is about to say is extremely important to her.
this child is appointed for the downfall and rising up of many people in Israel
The words "downfall" and "rising up" express turning away from God and drawing closer to God. Alternate translation: "this child will cause many people in Israel to fall away from God or to rise closer to God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 2:35
a sword will pierce your own soul
This metaphor describes the deep sadness that Mary would feel. Alternate translation: "your sadness will be painful as though a sword pierced your soul" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed
Here "hearts" is a metonym for people's inner beings. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he may reveal the thoughts of many people" or "he may reveal what many people secretly think" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 2:36
A prophetess named Anna was there
This introduces a new participant into the story. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
Phanuel
This is a man's name. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
She was advanced in her days
This is a euphemism that says that she was very old. See how you translated similar words in verse 7. Alternate translation: "she had lived many days" or "she had lived many years" or "she was very old" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
seven years
"7 years" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers)
after her virginity
"after she married him"
Luke 2:37
a widow for eighty-four years
Possible meanings are 1) she had been a widow for 84 years or 2) she was a widow and was now 84 years old. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers)
never left the temple
This is probably an exaggeration meaning that she spent so much time in the temple that it seemed as though she never left it. Alternate translation: "was always at the temple" or "was often at the temple" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
with fastings and prayers
"by abstaining from food on many occasions and by offering many prayers"
Luke 2:38
came near to them
"approached them" or "went to Mary and Joseph"
the redemption of Jerusalem
Here the word "redemption" is used to refer to the person who would do it. Alternate translation: "the one who would redeem Jerusalem" or "the person who would bring God's blessings and favor back to Jerusalem" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Luke 2:39
Connecting Statement:
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus leave the town of Bethlehem and return to the city of Nazareth for his childhood.
they were required to do according to the law of the Lord
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that the law of the Lord required them to do" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
their own town of Nazareth
This phrase means they lived in Nazareth. Make sure it does not sound like they owned the town. Alternate translation: "the town of Nazareth, where they lived" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 2:40
increasing in wisdom
"becoming wiser" or "learning what was wise"
the grace of God was upon him
"God blessed him" or "God was with him in a special way"
Luke 2:41
His parents went ... Festival of the Passover
This is background information. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
His parents
"Jesus's parents"
Luke 2:42
they again went up
Jerusalem was higher than almost any other place in Israel, so it was normal for Israelites to speak of going up to Jerusalem.
at the customary time
"at the normal time" or "as they did every year"
the festival
The Festival of the Passover, which involved eating a ceremonial meal.
Luke 2:43
After they had stayed the full number of days for the feast
"When the entire time for celebrating the feast was over" or "After celebrating the feast for the required number of days"
Luke 2:44
They assumed
"They thought"
they traveled a day's journey
"they traveled one day" or "they went as far as people walk in one day"
Luke 2:45
General Information:
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Luke 2:46
It came about that
This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
in the temple
This refers to the courtyard around the temple. Only the priests were allowed in the temple. Alternate translation: "in the temple courtyard" or "at the temple" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
in the middle of
This does not mean the exact center. Rather, it means "among" or "together with" or "surrounded by."
the teachers
"the religious teachers" or "those who taught people about God"
Luke 2:47
All who heard him were amazed
They could not understand how a twelve-year-old boy with no religious education could answer so well.
at his understanding
"at how much he understood" or "that he understood so much about God"
his answers
"at how well he answered them" or "that he answered their questions so well"
Luke 2:48
When they saw him
"When Mary and Joseph found Jesus"
why have you treated us this way?
This was an indirect rebuke because he had not gone with them on the way back home. This caused them to worry about him. Alternate translation: "you should not have done this to us!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Look
This word is often used to show the beginning of a new or important event. It also can be used to show where the action begins. If your language has a phrase that is used in this way, consider whether it would be natural to use it here.
Luke 2:49
Why were you searching for me?
Jesus uses two questions to mildly rebuke his parents, and to begin to tell them that he had a purpose from his heavenly Father that they did not understand. Alternate translation: "You did not need to be concerned about me." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Did you not know ... business?
Jesus uses this second question to try to say that his parents should have known about the purpose for which his Father sent him. Alternate translation: "You should have known ... business." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
about my Father's business
Possible meanings are 1) Jesus meant these words literally, to indicate that he was doing the work that his Father had given him, or 2) these words are an idiom that indicate where Jesus was, "in my Father's house." Since the next verse says that his parents did not understand what he was telling them, it would be best not to explain it more.
my Father's business
At age 12, Jesus, the Son of God, understood that God was his real Father (not Joseph, Mary's husband). (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples)
Luke 2:50
General Information:
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Luke 2:51
he went back home with them
"Jesus went back home with Mary and Joseph"
was obedient to them
"obeyed them" or "was always obeying them"
treasured all these things in her heart
Here "heart" is a metonym for a person's mind or inner being. Alternate translation: "carefully remembered all these things" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Luke 2:52
grow in wisdom and stature
"become wiser and stronger." These refer to mental and physical growth.
increased in favor with God and people
This refers to spiritual and social growth. These could be stated separately. Alternate translation: "God blessed him more and more, and people liked him more and more"