The Gospel According To LukeSýnishorn

Jesus’ Birth and Childhood: Luke 1:57 – 2:52

Luke’s account of John’s birth and childhood can be found in Luke 1:57-80. John was born to aging parents. And when they presented him at the temple on the eighth day for circumcision, his father’s voice returned to him. At that time, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied that his son would prepare the way for the Messiah, the great son of David. Consider how Zechariah described the Messiah’s role in Luke 1:69-76:

[God] has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago) … to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham … And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.

In the Old Testament, God had made covenant promises of salvation to Abraham and David. And Zechariah prophesied that God was about to fulfill these promises, and that his son John, would be the prophet who prepared the way. 

Next, in Luke 2:1-52, Luke reported the birth and early childhood of Jesus. There are several parallels between this account and his previous narrative of John’s birth, but Luke’s record of Jesus’ birth and childhood is much longer and more elaborate. It begins with Jesus’ birth in the city of David, the Judean town of Bethlehem, which is recorded in Luke 2:1-20. 

Jesus’ birth was very humble. He was born in a stable and laid in a feeding trough. But the angelic announcement that proclaimed his birth to nearby shepherds was nothing short of majestic. Consider what the angel said to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-11:

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

The angel proclaimed the good news or “gospel” that the messianic King would save God’s people from God’s judgment. 

This angelic messenger was then joined by the heavenly army of angels who sang praises to God for the birth of Jesus. Luke made it clear that despite Jesus’ humble birth, Mary’s son really was God’s chosen Messiah and King. 

Next, Luke described Jesus’ circumcision and presentation at the temple in Jerusalem in Luke 2:21-40. At the temple, the Holy Spirit filled and moved Simeon, as well as the holy prophetess Anna, to announce that Jesus was the Messiah who would bring salvation to the world. Consider Simeon’s praise to God in Luke 2:30-32:

My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.

This was in fulfillment of Isaiah 49:6, where God had spoken these words:

It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.

Through Simeon, God revealed that Jesus was the Messiah who would bring salvation and glory to Israel. And more than this, he would even extend the gospel of God’s kingdom to the Gentile nations, so that they might also be saved.