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The Blue Letter Bible

Luke 2 :: New King James Version (NKJV)

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Christ Born of Mary
The Birth and Childhood of Jesus
(Matt. 1:18–25 )
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:1 - And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:2 - This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:3 - So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:4 - Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:5 - to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,[fn] who was with child.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:6 - So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:7 - And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Glory in the Highest
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:8 - Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:9 - And behold,[fn] an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:10 - Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:11 - “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:12 - “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:13 - And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:14 - “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:15 - So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:16 - And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:17 - Now when they had seen Him, they made widely[fn] known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:18 - And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:19 - But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:20 - Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Circumcision of Jesus
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:21 - And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child,[fn] His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Jesus Presented in the Temple
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:22 - Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:23 - (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD),[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:24 - and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[fn]
Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:25 - And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:26 - And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:27 - So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:28 - he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:29 - “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:30 - For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:31 - Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:32 - A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:33 - And Joseph and His mother[fn] marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:34 - Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:35 - “(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:36 - Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:37 - and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years,[fn] who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:38 - And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord,[fn] and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
The Family Returns to Nazareth
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:39 - So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:40 - And the Child grew and became strong in spirit,[fn] filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:41 - His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:42 - And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:43 - When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother[fn] did not know it;
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:44 - but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:45 - So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:46 - Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:47 - And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:48 - So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:49 - And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:50 - But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:51 - Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
Unchecked Copy BoxLuk 2:52 - And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
NKJV Footnotes
NU-Text omits wife.
NU-Text omits behold.
NU-Text reads toward men of goodwill.
NU-Text omits widely.
NU-Text reads for His circumcision.
Exodus 13:2, 12, 15
Leviticus 12:8
NU-Text reads And His father and mother.
NU-Text reads a widow until she was eighty-four.
NU-Text reads to God.
NU-Text omits in spirit.
NU-Text reads And His parents.
NKJV

New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

The text of the New King James Version (NKJV) appearing on or deriving from this or any other web page is for personal use only. Any other use of the NKJV must be in conformity with the Quotation Policy for the New King James Version. For more information about the New King James Version, the Quotation Policy, and for inquiries about permission to use the New King James Version, go to Thomas Nelson, Inc..

For more information on this translation, see the NKJV Preface.

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Luke Chapter 2 — Additional Translations: