Luk 2:8-15 | TNotes | STEP | 2:8 Shepherds were sometimes portrayed in Judaism as drifters and dishonest troublemakers. This stereotype was not universal, however; in the Old Testament, shepherds are usually viewed positively (e.g., Ps 23:1 ). Jesus came to common people such as these poor and humble peasants. • staying in the fields: This suggests warmer months of the year, perhaps March through November, though some shepherds stayed out year-round. The actual month of Jesus’ birth is unknown. • They were guarding their flocks against thieves and wild animals.

2:8 ^a Shepherds were sometimes portrayed in Judaism as drifters and dishonest troublemakers. This stereotype was not universal, however; in the Old Testament, shepherds are usually viewed positively (e.g., Ps 23:1 ^b). Jesus came to common people such as these poor and humble peasants.

• staying in the fields: This suggests warmer months of the year, perhaps March through November, though some shepherds stayed out year-round. The actual month of Jesus’ birth is unknown.

• They were guarding their flocks against thieves and wild animals.
Summary for Luke 2:9-10: 2:9-10 ^c terrified: As with Zechariah and Mary, the angelic presence was glorious and frightening. The angel told the shepherds, “Don’t be afraid” (cp. 1:11-13 ^d, 28-30 ^e).

• I bring you good news: This verb (Greek euangelizō, “I evangelize”) is from the same root as the word for “Good News” (Greek euangelion, sometimes translated gospel; e.g., Gal 2:5 ^f, 7 ^g, 14 ^h). Isaiah’s prophecies describe God’s salvation as good news (see, e.g., Isa 52:7 ⁱ; 61:1 ^j).

• to all people (literally to all the people): In Luke’s writings, “the people” (grammatical singular) always refers to the people of Israel. The shepherds were being told that Israel’s salvation had arrived. It would ultimately go to all nations.
2:11 ^k The Messiah (Greek Christos, a translation of Hebrew mashiakh) means “Anointed One” and refers to the coming savior from David’s line (see study note on 1:32-33). As the Good News moved from a Jewish context to the Gentile world, Christians began to use Christos less as a title and more as a name.
2:12 ^l this sign: Shepherds would appreciate the paradox and incongruity between the security of strips of cloth and the lowly circumstances of lying in a manger. Seeing a baby in such a setting was very unusual—a fitting sign that God was at work.
2:13 ^m The armies of heaven reveal God’s sovereign power and authority (2 Kgs 6:17 ⁿ; Ps 148:2 ^o). “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” is a common Old Testament name for God (e.g., 1 Sam 1:11 ^p; 17:45 ^q; 2 Sam 7:8 ^r; Isa 5:16 ^s; Rom 9:29 ^t; Jas 5:4 ^u).
2:14 ^v Glory to God in highest heaven: This short hymn is known as the Gloria in excelsis Deo from the first line of the Latin translation. The Messiah’s coming brings glory to God in the heavens and peace to humans on earth.

• peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased: Peace indicates total well-being, not just the absence of hostility. The traditional translation, “on earth peace, good will toward men” (KJV), is based on the reading of some late manuscripts. The NLT text follows more reliable early manuscripts. Peace comes to the recipients of God’s grace.