Angels Announce the Shepherds' Good News
Luke 2:8-20
Luke.2.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ποιμενες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- χωρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- αγραυλουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- φυλασσοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- φυλακας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ποιμνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Genesis 37:12-17 (verbal): Brothers go out 'to feed their father's flock' and are in the field—an Old Testament setting of shepherds keeping watch over flocks, verbal and situational parallel to Luke’s shepherds.
- 1 Samuel 17:15 (verbal): David is described as tending/feeding his father’s sheep (returning from Saul to feed the flock), echoing the motif of ordinary shepherds watching flocks that frames the Davidic/Jesus connection.
- Psalm 23:1-4 (thematic): The Lord as shepherd who guides and guards his flock provides theological background for the shepherd imagery in Luke’s nativity—God’s care disclosed to humble shepherds.
- John 10:11-16 (thematic): Jesus’ self‑identification as the 'good shepherd' links the shepherd motif of Luke 2 (the human witnesses at Jesus’ birth) to Christ’s pastoral and messianic role.
- Luke 2:15-20 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the angelic announcement to the shepherds and their visit to Bethlehem—Luke 2:8 functions as the setup for this angelic revelation and the shepherds’ response.
Alternative generated candidates
- And in that same region there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And there were shepherds in that region staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke.2.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αγγελος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επεστη: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- δοξα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- περιελαμψεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εφοβηθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- φοβον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μεγαν·: ADJ,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 1:11 (verbal): An 'angel of the Lord' stands before Zechariah and his presence provokes fear—close verbal and functional parallel to the angel appearing to the shepherds.
- Luke 1:30 (thematic): The angelic announcement to Mary elicits reassurance ('Do not be afraid'), linking the common motif of initial fear at angelic appearances followed by comfort.
- Isaiah 6:1-5 (thematic): Isaiah's vision of the LORD's glory fills the sanctuary and prompts a fearful, humbled response—parallels theophanic glory producing terror in beholders.
- Matthew 28:2-4 (verbal): An angel appears in dazzling brightness at the tomb and the guards are terrified—similar imagery of a heavenly messenger, luminous glory, and fear among human witnesses.
- Judges 13:20-23 (allusion): After an angelic manifestation Manoah and his wife react in fear and say 'We shall surely die, for we have seen God,' echoing the fear prompted by a divine/angelic appearance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them; and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
- And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were greatly afraid.
Luke.2.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αγγελος·Μη: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- φοβεισθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- ιδου: PART
- γαρ: PART
- ευαγγελιζομαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- χαραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μεγαλην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ητις: PRON,rel,nom,sg,f
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- παντι: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λαω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 52:7 (thematic): Proclaims the ‘good news’/tidings of salvation brought by a messenger—theme of joyful proclamation to the people.
- Luke 1:30 (verbal): The angel’s reassuring formula “Do not be afraid” recurs in Luke’s infancy narratives (to Mary here), a close verbal and situational parallel.
- Matthew 28:10 (verbal): An angelic/Christic address beginning “Do not be afraid” and commissioning hearers to receive and announce good news—similar form and function.
- Luke 4:18 (thematic): Jesus’ citation of Isaiah about proclaiming ‘good news to the poor’ connects the gospel’s content and its universal/people‑focused scope reflected in Luke 2:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'
- But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.'
Luke.2.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ετεχθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- σημερον: ADV
- σωτηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- πολει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- Δαυιδ·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 1:21 (verbal): Announces the child's role as ' Savior' (to save his people), paralleling Luke's title 'soter' for the newborn.
- Isaiah 9:6 (allusion): Prophecy 'For unto us a child is born...' links the birth motif and Davidic rule to the newborn's messianic titles.
- Micah 5:2 (allusion): Predicts a ruler coming from Bethlehem, the 'city of David,' which Luke cites as the birthplace of the Savior/Christ.
- Acts 2:36 (verbal): Declares that God has made Jesus 'both Lord and Christ,' echoing Luke's combined titles 'Christos kyrios' in the birth announcement.
- John 4:42 (thematic): Local recognition of Jesus as 'the Savior of the world' reflects the same identification of the newborn as Savior/Christ in Luke's proclamation.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'For to you this day is born in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'
- For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke.2.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- σημειον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ευρησετε: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,pl
- βρεφος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- εσπαργανωμενον: PART,perf,pass,acc,sg,neut
- και: CONJ
- κειμενον: PART,pres,mid/pass,acc,sg,neut
- εν: PREP
- φατνη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 2:7 (verbal): Earlier in the same birth narrative the newborn is said to be ‘wrapped in swaddling clothes’—the exact phrase repeated here (ὑπάρχον βρέφος ἐσπαργανωμένον).
- Luke 2:16 (structural): The shepherds ‘found’ the child ‘lying in a manger,’ directly continuing the sign announced in v.12; the scene and wording are narrated again as the fulfillment of the sign.
- Isaiah 7:14 (allusion): The angel’s use of the term ‘sign’ (σημεῖον) evokes prophetic sign-language about a miraculous birth (cf. Isaiah’s giving of a birth-sign), linking Jesus’ birth to prophetic revelation.
- John 1:14 (thematic): ‘The Word became flesh’ highlights the incarnation motif—God entering history in humble, embodied human form—which Luke’s image of a wrapped infant in a manger also depicts.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'And this will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.'
- And this will be the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
Luke.2.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εξαιφνης: ADV
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- συν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αγγελω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- πληθος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- στρατιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ουρανιου: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- αινουντων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- λεγοντων·: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 6:3 (allusion): Heavenly beings (seraphim) around God crying out in worship; echoes the angelic chorus praising God's holiness and presence.
- Revelation 5:11-12 (thematic): A vast multitude of angels in heaven singing praise to God/the Lamb—parallel image of a heavenly host offering corporate worship.
- Psalm 103:20-21 (thematic): Exhortation for angels and heavenly hosts to bless and praise the Lord parallels Luke's depiction of angelic praise.
- Job 38:7 (thematic): ‘Morning stars sang together’ and heavenly beings rejoicing at creation—another motif of celestial hosts vocalizing praise and joy.
Alternative generated candidates
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Luke.2.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Δοξα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- υψιστοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- επι: PREP
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ευδοκιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Isaiah 9:6 (thematic): Messianic title ‘Prince of Peace’ connects the birth announcement to the expectation that the coming ruler brings peace.
- Isaiah 52:7 (verbal): Proclaims ‘good tidings of peace’—language and theme echoed in the angelic announcement of peace on earth.
- Romans 10:15 (quotation): Paul cites Isaiah 52:7 about ‘beautiful feet’ bringing good news of peace, applying the same ‘gospel of peace’ motif to Christ’s mission.
- Ephesians 2:14 (thematic): Paul identifies Christ himself as ‘our peace,’ echoing Luke’s claim that the Messiah’s coming brings peace between God and people.
- Micah 4:3-4 (thematic): Eschatological vision of universal peace (swords into plowshares, living in safety) parallels the angelic promise of peace on earth in the messianic age.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'
- 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.'
Luke.2.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ως: ADV
- απηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- απ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ουρανον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αγγελοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ποιμενες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ελαλουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- αλληλους·Διελθωμεν: PRON,acc,pl,m + VERB,aor,act,subj,1,pl
- δη: PART
- εως: CONJ
- Βηθλεεμ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ιδωμεν: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ρημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- γεγονος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εγνωρισεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
Parallels
- Luke 2:10-11 (structural): Immediate context: the angelic announcement of good news and the birth of a Savior is the very report that prompts the shepherds to go to Bethlehem.
- Matthew 2:1-2 (thematic): Magi arrive in Jerusalem/seek the newborn 'king of the Jews' and ask about Bethlehem — a parallel motif of people responding to heavenly revelation by going to Bethlehem to find the child.
- Micah 5:2 (quotation): Prophecy locating the ruler's origins in Bethlehem; provides the theological background for why the angelic revelation and the shepherds' journey to Bethlehem are significant.
- 1 Samuel 16:11-13 (allusion): David, a Bethlehemite and former shepherd, is chosen and anointed as king — evokes the Davidic/Bethlehem–shepherd motifs that frame the newborn's identity as Messiah.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the angels had departed from them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.'
- And when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.'
Luke.2.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ηλθαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- σπευσαντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ανευραν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- τε: PART
- Μαριαμ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιωσηφ: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- βρεφος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- κειμενον: PART,pres,mid/pass,acc,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- φατνη·: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 2:7 (verbal): Earlier in Luke’s birth narrative the newborn is placed in a manger; direct verbal and narrative parallel describing Jesus’ humble birthplace.
- Luke 2:15 (structural): Immediate predecessor: the angels’ announcement prompts the shepherds to hurry — verse 16 records their prompt arrival and discovery, forming a contiguous scene.
- Matthew 2:11 (thematic): The Magi come and find the child with his mother; parallels the motif of visitors seeking out and honoring the newborn Messiah.
- John 1:14 (allusion): “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (lit. ‘tabernacled’) evokes the incarnational and humble dwelling imagery of the newborn lying in a manger.
- Matthew 2:6 (quoting Micah 5:2) (allusion): The identification of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel’s ruler connects Luke’s scene of the infant in Bethlehem with messianic prophecy and expectation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger.
- And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
Luke.2.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ιδοντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- εγνωρισαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- περι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ρηματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- λαληθεντος: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,gen,sg,n
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- περι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- παιδιου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 2:15 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the shepherds hurry to see the child just before they 'made known' what had been told them.
- Luke 2:18 (thematic): Direct continuation: those who heard the shepherds' report were amazed—shows the social effect of the shepherds’ proclamation.
- Luke 2:20 (thematic): Summative report of the shepherds' response: they returned glorifying and praising God, reflecting the public proclamation and worship prompted by what they had seen and told.
- Luke 1:65 (thematic): Parallel pattern in Luke: news of a miraculous birth spreads through the region (neighbors discuss John’s birth)—similar diffusion of witness-report about Jesus.
- Acts 4:20 (verbal): Early Christian testimony motif: 'we cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard' echoes the impulse in 2:17 to make known an eyewitness report.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when they had seen it, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.
- And when they saw it, they made known the word which had been spoken to them concerning this child.
Luke.2.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ακουσαντες: PTCP,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- εθαυμασαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- περι: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- λαληθεντων: VERB,aor,pass,part,gen,pl,n
- υπο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ποιμενων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 2:17 (verbal): Immediate preceding verse: the shepherds 'made known abroad' what had been told them—directly linked to the wondering of those who heard (continuation of the same report).
- Luke 2:20 (structural): Concluding reaction of the shepherds: they returned 'glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen,' tying together the testimony and responses recorded in vv.17–20.
- Luke 2:19 (thematic): Mary's different response—'kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart'—offers a contrasting internal reflection to the public amazement described in v.18.
- Acts 2:12–13 (thematic): Crowds react with amazement and puzzled wonder to eyewitness proclamation of a divine event (the apostles' testimony at Pentecost), paralleling public astonishment at the shepherds' report.
- Luke 5:26 (verbal): Uses similar language of communal amazement—'they were all amazed, and glorified God'—showing a recurrent Lucan motif of people marveling at eyewitness accounts of divine activity.
Alternative generated candidates
- And all who heard it were amazed at the things told them by the shepherds.
- And all who heard it wondered at the things told them by the shepherds.
Luke.2.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- Μαρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- συνετηρει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- συμβαλλουσα: PTCP,pres,act,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- καρδια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 2:51 (verbal): Repeats the same motif at the close of the childhood narrative: Mary 'treasured/kept all these things in her heart'—verbal parallel and narrative bookend.
- Deuteronomy 6:6 (verbal): Uses the same idiom of internalizing divine words—'these words... shall be in your heart'—background for Luke's language of holding things in the heart.
- Psalm 119:11 (verbal): 'I have stored up your word in my heart' parallels the idea of treasuring and preserving divine revelation within the heart, echoing Mary's reflective reception.
- Proverbs 4:21 (verbal): Wisdom literature injunction to 'keep them within your heart' closely parallels Luke's phrasing and the motif of internal retention and meditation.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Mary treasured up all these words and pondered them in her heart.
- But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke.2.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- υπεστρεψαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ποιμενες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- δοξαζοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- αινουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- οις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- ηκουσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- καθως: CONJ
- ελαληθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 2:17-18 (structural): Immediate context: the shepherds reported what they had been told and heard, and others marveled — connects directly with v.20’s language of having heard and seen and then returning to glorify God.
- Luke 24:52-53 (verbal): The disciples ‘returned to Jerusalem with great joy’ and were ‘continually in the temple praising God,’ echoing Luke 2:20’s motif of returning and praising/glorifying God.
- Matthew 2:10-12 (thematic): The Magi ‘rejoiced with exceeding great joy’, worshiped the child, and then departed (returning home by another way) — parallels the theme of visitors who encounter the newborn, worship, rejoice, and then return changed.
- Luke 1:46-55 (The Magnificat) (thematic): Mary’s song is a sustained praise of God for fulfilling his promises; thematically related to the shepherds’ glorifying and praising God for what they heard and saw as fulfillment.
- Acts 2:46-47 (thematic): The early community is described as ‘praising God’ and enjoying God’s favor publicly — parallels the public, joy-filled praising of God in response to God’s saving action described in Luke 2:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
And there were shepherds in the same region watching over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were filled with great fear. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For to you this day a Savior has been born in the city of David; he is the Messiah and Lord. And this is the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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 those with whom he is pleased.”
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. And when they had seen it, they made known what had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these words and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.