✨ Commentary on Luke 2:9–10
📖 The Text
Luke 2:9 (King James Version):
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore[i] afraid.”
Luke 2:10 (King James Version):
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
1. Setting the Scene in Luke Chapter 2
Luke chapter 2[ii] presents the birth of Jesus Christ in the humblest of circumstances. Mary and Joseph, obeying the decree of Caesar Augustus, travel to Bethlehem, where Mary gives birth to her firstborn son and lays him in a manger (Luke 2:7). The narrative then shifts to shepherds in the fields.
Luke 2:8 (King James Version):
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
These shepherds are ordinary workers, socially insignificant, yet they become the first recipients of the divine announcement of the Messiah’s birth. This fits the broader theme of Luke: God exalts the humble and brings salvation to the lowly.
2. Exegetical Commentary on Luke 2:9–10
🌟 Verse 9: The Glory of the Lord Breaks In
Luke 2:9 (King James Version):
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”
Key Observations
- “The angel of the Lord[iii] came upon them”
This is sudden, sovereign initiative. The shepherds do not seek God; God seeks them. This reflects the Christian emphasis on divine initiative in salvation. - “The glory of the Lord shone round about them”
This is the visible manifestation of God’s presence, reminiscent of the Shekinah glory in the Old Testament (for example, Exodus 24:17). The glory surrounds them, not just the angel. God’s presence is overwhelming and holy. - “They were sore afraid”
Fear is the natural human response to divine holiness. Throughout Scripture, when God reveals himself, fear is the first reaction (for example, Isaiah 6:5). This fear is not unbelief but the recognition of God’s majesty and our smallness.
Theological Insight
God’s glory exposes our unworthiness, yet it is the necessary prelude to grace. Before the gospel comforts, it confronts. Before joy comes, fear awakens the soul to reality.
🌟 Verse 10: The Gospel Word of Comfort
Luke 2:10 (King James Version):
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
Key Observations
- “Fear not”
This is the gospel’s first word to sinners. God does not leave the shepherds in terror. Grace addresses fear with reassurance grounded in God’s saving action. - “I bring you good tidings”
The Greek word euangelizomai means “to proclaim the gospel.” The angel is the first evangelist of the New Testament era. - “Of great joy”
The gospel is fundamentally joyful because it announces God’s saving work in Christ. This joy is not superficial happiness but deep, covenantal joy rooted in God’s faithfulness. - “Which shall be to all people”
This anticipates the universal scope of the gospel. While salvation is applied particularly to the elect, the proclamation is genuinely offered to all. Luke emphasises that the gospel crosses social, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.
Theological Insight
The gospel replaces fear with joy because it reveals God’s gracious initiative in Christ. Salvation is not achieved by human effort but received through God’s gracious gift.
3. Meditation Guide
Use these steps for personal reflection or group study.
🕯️ 1. Behold the Glory of God
Reflect on the holiness and majesty of God revealed in this passage.
- What does the shepherds’ fear teach you about God’s holiness?
- How does God’s glory expose your need for grace?
Pray that God would deepen your reverence for him.
🕯️ 2. Hear the Gospel Word: “Fear Not”
Meditate on the angel’s comforting command.
- What fears dominate your life at the moment?
- How does the gospel speak directly to those fears?
Ask God to help you rest in his promises.
🕯️ 3. Receive the “Good Tidings of Great Joy”
Consider the joy that comes from knowing Christ.
- Is your Christian life marked by joy?
- What truths about Jesus bring you the deepest joy?
Pray for renewed joy in Christ’s saving work.
🕯️ 4. Embrace the Mission: “To All People”
Reflect on the universal proclamation of the gospel.
- Who in your life needs to hear the good news?
- How can you embody the shepherds’ response of sharing the message (Luke 2:17)?
Pray for courage and compassion in evangelism.
4. Application to Modern Christian Living
✔️ 1. God Meets Us in Ordinary Places
The shepherds were at work, in the dark, unnoticed by society. God delights to reveal himself to ordinary people in ordinary settings. This encourages believers who feel insignificant or overlooked.
✔️ 2. The Gospel Addresses Our Deepest Fears
Modern life is full of anxiety—financial pressure, family stress, health concerns. The gospel does not deny these fears but speaks a deeper word: “Fear not.” Christ’s coming assures us that God is with us.
✔️ 3. Joy Is Central to Christian Faith
Christian joy is not dependent on circumstances but on Christ’s finished work. Believers are called to cultivate joy through worship, Scripture, and fellowship.
✔️ 4. The Gospel Is for All People
In a multicultural Australian context, this truth calls the church to hospitality, cross-cultural ministry, and a generous posture toward outsiders.
[i] In Luke 2:9, the word “sore” in the phrase “they were sore afraid” is an older English expression meaning “very,” “greatly,” or “extremely.”
So the verse is saying that the shepherds were extremely afraid or terrified when the angel appeared and the glory of the Lord shone around them.
In modern Australian English, we might say:
“They were absolutely terrified.”
“They were extremely afraid.”
The King James Version often uses “sore” as an intensifier. It does not refer to physical soreness but to the degree of the emotion or experience.
If you would like, I can also explain how this fits into the wider biblical theme of fear in the presence of God’s glory.
[ii] Luke 2
King James Version
2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
[iii] 👉 In Luke 2:9, “the angel of the Lord” is not Jesus. It is an angelic messenger sent by God.
Let me walk you through why this is the case, using Scripture itself as the guide.
🌟 1. The Old Testament “angel of the Lord” vs the New Testament usage
In the Old Testament, the phrase “the angel of the Lord” sometimes refers to a mysterious figure who speaks as God, receives worship, and carries divine authority. Many Reformed theologians understand these appearances as pre‑incarnate manifestations of Christ (for example, Genesis 16, Exodus 3, Judges 6).
But in the New Testament, the phrase changes in meaning.
In the New Testament, “the angel of the Lord” always refers to a created angel, not to Christ.
Examples:
Matthew 1:20 (King James Version):
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream…”
Matthew 2:13 (King James Version):
“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream…”
Acts 12:7 (King James Version):
“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him…”
In each case, the angel is clearly a messenger, not God himself.
🌟 2. Why Luke 2:9 cannot be Jesus
Let us look again at the verse:
Luke 2:9 (King James Version):
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”
There are several reasons this angel cannot be Jesus.
✔️ 1. Jesus has just been born as a human baby (Luke 2:7).
He is lying in a manger at this very moment. He is not appearing simultaneously as an angelic figure in the fields.
✔️ 2. The angel announces the birth of “a Saviour.”
Just one verse later:
Luke 2:11 (King James Version):
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
The angel is clearly not the Saviour; he is announcing the Saviour.
✔️ 3. The angel is part of a heavenly host.
In verse 13:
Luke 2:13 (King James Version):
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…”
Jesus is the object of the praise, not part of the praising host.
✔️ 4. The angel directs attention away from himself and toward God’s saving work.
This is consistent with the role of created angels.
🌟 3. So who is this angel?
The text does not name him, but many scholars suggest it may be Gabriel, because:
Gabriel appears earlier in Luke (Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26).
Gabriel is associated with major announcements of salvation history.
But Scripture does not explicitly identify him, so we cannot be dogmatic.
What we can say with confidence is:
👉 This is a created angelic messenger, not the pre‑incarnate Christ.
🌟 4. Why this matters theologically
Understanding this helps us see:
✔️ The humility of Christ’s incarnation
While angels blaze with glory in the fields, the Son of God lies in a manger.
✔️ The unity of heaven in announcing salvation
Angels proclaim the gospel because they delight in God’s saving work.
✔️ The distinction between Creator and creature
Even glorious angels are servants. Christ alone is Lord.
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