Luke 2:1-20

As you work through this passage, ask questions of the passage. Be curious. Among the many questions you might ask (in no particular order and remember some of the questions may be more important to pursue than others) are:

Can I condense what’s going on in this passage to a singular, comprehensive statement? Do other sub-themes in the passage support my singular, comprehensive statement?
Why did Luke include this phrasing or detail? Why is it important in the story?
Are there cultural features of the story that I don’t understand and that I need to explore more?
How does this passage fit in the larger biblical context? In other words, how does this passage support or contradict other biblical themes?
Are there certain words repeated several times in the passage or perhaps words or phrases that are repeated elsewhere in the book or scripture?
Are there Old Testament passages quoted and if so, what link is the writer making to that Old Testament text?
Who cares? Why should I care about the content of this passage?
Where do I find myself in this story? Which biblical character am I most like? … most unlike?

Notes on passage:

2:1-2 Emperor Augustus ruled from 27 BC until AD 14. He was the grand nephew of Julius Caesar. We believe that Jesus was born 4-6 BC. Curiously, Quirinius was known to be governor of Syria from 5-6 AD. What do we know about Augustus?

· During his climb to power, he was ruthless. Once there, he mellowed a bit. He was a famous organizer. He respected religious traditions as long as they didn’t interfere with Rome’s laws and traditions.

2:1-2 The registration was a census. This type of activity marked Rome’s domination and sovereignty over Palestine. Think about what was going on here and compare your thoughts with what went on in 2^nd Samuel 24. Based on the 2^nd Samuel passage, what do you think might have been the reaction and feeling toward census-taking?

· While there wasn’t a direct tax associated with this census, more than likely taxation grew out of the census. In Joseph’s case, up to ½ of his income could have been consumed with Roman taxes.

2:5 Why would Joseph have taken Mary with him when she was so pregnant? Wouldn’t it have been wiser to leave her home? The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have been about 90 miles.

2:7 Babies were swaddled similarly today. One theory was to keep their limb straight.

2:7 Homes in small towns like Bethlehem, as well as in the city proper, would have consisted of one room to accommodate the family who lived there. Separating the living quarters from any animals’ stalls would have been a manger area, where food and farm implements were stored, and where births often would take place a bit separated from the ongoing life of the family. Over the manger area would have been the ‘upper room’ where visiting relatives or acquaintances, or persons linked to the family by political or economic ties, could be given hospitality. Joseph, having returned with his pregnant wife to his ancestral village, would have anticipated such accommodation (i.e., the upper room) but that didn’t happen.

2:8 Notice that Luke focuses on shepherds receiving the word of Christ’s birth. Matthew focuses on the Wise men (see Matthew 2:1ff). Why the difference?

· Remember Luke focuses on those who are on the fringes of society and their connection to Jesus.

2:10 Every time a Caesar was born, or even one of the lesser royal figures, the birth was announced as good news. People were compelled to celebrate the event even though it would most likely mean the continuation of an oppressive system. Luke uses language that announces a kingly birth, but he says it will be good news for ALL people. A Savior was born.

2:10 Note that the birth of Christ was announced not in Jerusalem’s Temple but on a farm…out in the field! Again, note Luke’s focus on those who are on the fringes.

2:12 Compare the wording here with Isaiah 7:14.

2:13 Encounters with God should result in praise.

2:15 What did the shepherds do with the sheep?

2:16 Notice the “…with haste…” expression. Where else have you seen this? See Luke 1:39.

2:19 What do you think all this ‘pondering’ was about? The word is an old Greek word (sunballousa) which means to place things or ideas together for comparison.