The
angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
Luke 2 [1.] Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
Luke 2 [6.] While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
Luke 2 [14.] “Glory to God in the highest,
on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Meaning:
Shepherds were keeping watch over their flock near Bethlehem when an angel of the Lord appeared and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified (Luke 2:9). These two verses contain the angel’s message, one of the best known announcements in the Bible. In a few words it tells who was born, where, for whom, and why it is good news. A multitude of angels would then join in praise (Luke 2:12-15).
- “Don’t be afraid”
The shepherds were terrified, and rightly so, for sinful people cannot stand easily in the light of God’s glory. But the angel’s first words are comfort. Gabriel had said the same to Zacharias and to Mary (Luke 1:13; Luke 1:30). The coming of Christ does not mean judgment for those who receive him, but peace with God.
- “for behold, I bring you good news of great joy”
The angel uses the word from which we get “evangelise,” to announce good news. In the Roman world such announcements were made about the birthday or victories of the emperor. Here is true good news from heaven. Isaiah had written, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace” (Isaiah 52:7). This news brings “great joy,” not a passing happiness but deep gladness that comes from God himself.
- “which will be to all the people”
“The people” usually meant Israel, God’s covenant people. The news was first for them, the fulfilment of their long hope. But it would reach much further. Simeon would soon call the child “a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). The message came first to poor shepherds, a sign that no one is excluded.
- “For there is born to you today, in David’s city”
“To you” makes the message personal: this child was born for these shepherds and for every listener. “Today” shows that the long wait was over. The prophecies were being fulfilled now. “David’s city” is Bethlehem, where the prophet said the ruler of Israel would come from (Micah 5:2). Isaiah had foretold, “For to us a child is born. To us a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6).
- “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”
The angel gives the child three great titles. He is the Saviour, the one who rescues his people from sin and death. The angel had told Joseph to call him Jesus, “for it is he who shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Later the Samaritans would confess, “this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). He is the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah promised to Israel, the King from David’s line. And he is the Lord. In the Greek Old Testament “Lord” was used for God’s own name. The baby in the manger is the Lord himself come among his people. After the resurrection Peter proclaimed, “God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).
The Significance of Luke 2:10-11
- Good news for everyone
The first people to hear the news were not priests or kings but shepherds working the night shift. The Gospel is for all people, whatever their background, status or past.
- Joy that overcomes fear
Fear is a natural response to God’s holiness, but the birth of Jesus changes everything. Because a Saviour has been born, those who trust him can approach God with joy rather than terror.
- Who is this child?
Saviour, Christ and Lord: these titles call for a response. Jesus is not only a baby to admire at Christmas but the Lord to worship and obey. One day “every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11).
Cross-References:
Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born. To us a son is given;" the prophecy fulfilled in Bethlehem.
Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news," the herald of salvation.
Matthew 1:21: "it is he who shall save his people from their sins." Why he is the Saviour.
Acts 2:36: "God has made him both Lord and Christ," the apostolic confession.
Conclusion: The angel calmed the terrified shepherds and announced good news of great joy for all the people. That very day, in David’s city, a Saviour had been born, who is Christ the Lord. In these words heaven declared who Jesus is: the rescuer from sin, the promised Messiah and the Lord God come among his people.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible