返回Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Lk. 2:1. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole world.
Lk. 2:2. This census was the first taken while Quirinius was governing Syria.
Lk. 2:3. And they all went to be registered, each to his own city.
Lk. 2:4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
Lk. 2:5. To register with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
The census takes place so that, when everyone goes to his own homeland, the Virgin also came to Bethlehem, her own homeland, and thus the Lord was born in Bethlehem, and the prophecy was fulfilled. When the one God was about to put an end to polytheism, it was fitting that one ruler — Caesar — should also hold dominion. Christ is also enrolled together with everyone. It was fitting for the Lord to be enrolled with the whole world, in order to sanctify those being enrolled and to abolish slavery; for just as, by undergoing circumcision, He abolished circumcision, so, by being enrolled as a slave, He abolished the slavery of our nature. For those who serve the Lord are no longer slaves of men, as the apostle says: "do not become slaves of men" (1 Cor. 7:23), but even if they are slaves in body, they are free in spirit, not being carried away by the impiety of their masters.
Lk. 2:6. And while they were there, the time came for Her to give birth;
Lk. 2:7. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and swaddled Him,
He rightly called the Lord the "Firstborn" Son of the Virgin, even though she bore no other child, for the one born first is called the firstborn, even if no other is born after him.
Lk. 2:7. and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
He is laid in a manger, perhaps in order to teach us humility from the very beginning, or perhaps also to symbolically show that He appeared in this world — a place inhabited by us who have become like senseless beasts (Ps. 48:13, 21). For just as the manger belongs to the cattle, so also this world belongs to us. Thus, the world is a manger, and we are senseless animals; and to redeem us from senselessness, He appeared here for this very reason.
Lk. 2:8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Lk. 2:9. And suddenly an Angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were seized with great fear.
The angel appears to the shepherds because of the simplicity of their character and their innocence, since they visibly imitate the way of life of the righteous, for the ancient patriarchs as well—Jacob, Moses, and David—were shepherds. The angel did not appear in Jerusalem to the Pharisees or scribes, for they were a receptacle of every kind of malice; but those shepherds, being without guile, were deemed worthy of divine visions. The Lord showed by this that from the very beginning He chose and made into preachers those who were more simple-hearted than others, for they went out and began to proclaim all these things.
Lk. 2:10. And the Angel said to them: Fear not, for I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people:...
Lk. 2:11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Lk. 2:12. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
The angel announced "great joy," which, he said, will be for all the people — specifically, for the people of God. For not all Jews are the people of God. But the incarnation of God was a joy for the entire human race as well.
Lk. 2:13. And suddenly there appeared with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and crying out:
Lk. 2:14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!
What does the song of the Angels mean? Without doubt, it is the thanksgiving of the heavenly ranks and their joy that we who live on earth have been blessed. For they say: "Glory... to God,... on earth peace has now come." Before, human nature was at enmity with God, but now it has been so reconciled that it has entered into union with God and has been united with Him in the incarnation. So then, do you see the peace of God with man? It can also be understood in another way. The Son of God Himself is peace, as He also says of Himself (John 14:27, 16:33). So then, peace itself, the Son of God, appeared on earth. And "good will among men," that is, the repose of God; for now God has found rest and has found good pleasure in men, whereas before He did not take pleasure and did not find in men anything pleasing to Himself.
Lk. 2:15. And when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: Let us go to Bethlehem and see what has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.
Lk. 2:16. And they came in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.
Lk. 2:17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
Lk. 2:18. And all who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.
These shepherds are a type of the spiritual shepherds — the bishops. Thus, bishops must guard their flock and play, that is, sing something spiritual and teach the people, and then they will be deemed worthy of divine visions and hearings. Bethlehem means house of bread. And what other house of bread is this but the church, in which that bread is stored? Thus, it is the duty of the rational shepherds to seek the heavenly bread, and when they see this bread, it is their obligation to proclaim it to others as well, just as the shepherds, having seen the Infant, told others about Him.
Lk. 2:19. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in Her heart.
What words did the Virgin "keep"? Some say those which the Angel spoke to Her, and those which the shepherds told Her. She preserved them and "pondered them in Her heart," that is, she considered them and found in all of them one harmonious thought: that Her Son is God. But it seems to me that here "words" means events; it is as if to say: Mary "kept all these words," that is, those events of which I am now speaking, and by doing so I make them into words. For an event, when someone speaks of it, becomes a word.
Lk. 2:20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The shepherds returned with thanksgiving to God for all things; for they were not envious like the Jews.
Lk. 2:21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His name was called Jesus, which was so named by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb.
When the Law gave the commandments, then the transgressors of them were subjected to a curse. So the Lord is circumcised in order that, having fulfilled the Law in this respect too and having omitted nothing of what it commanded, He might redeem us from the curse. Let those henceforth be put to shame who say that He was incarnate only in appearance, for how was He circumcised if He was incarnate only in appearance? To investigate where the circumcised part is, however, is useless. For one ought not to inquire into what Scripture has passed over in silence. And it is entirely useless besides. One may say that after being cut off it fell to the ground and sanctified it, just as the blood and water that flowed from His side. And He, in a manner known to Him, preserved this part unharmed and after the Resurrection took it up again, so that in this respect too He would not be found lacking — just as we also in the resurrection shall receive our body in its entirety. Note that the Lord was not conceived immediately when the Angel said, "and behold, you will conceive" (Lk. 1:31), but after this, when He willed. For see what it says here: "named by the Angel before His conception in the womb." This is evident from the very expression itself, for he did not say "you are conceiving," but "you will conceive." From this one may conclude that the Lord was conceived at that time, but not at the very moment when the Angel was speaking, but perhaps when he finished speaking. However, we do not say this with certainty.
Lk. 2:22. And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled,
He rightly said "according to the law of Moses," for truly the Virgin had no need to await the days of purification, which, in the case of a male birth, were forty. In the Law it is said: "a woman shall conceive and bear a male child" (Lev. 12:2); but the Virgin conceived not from seed, but gave birth by the Holy Spirit. Therefore she had no need, but came to the temple out of a desire to fulfill the law. Why then in the case of a male birth are the days of purification seven, but for a female double? "If a woman," it is said, "conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days... But if she bears a female child, then during her purification she shall be unclean two weeks" (Lev. 12:2, 5)? Because she who has borne a male brings into the world another Adam, while she who has borne a female gives birth to another Eve—a weak and feeble vessel, a clay vessel, broken, a reed of deception, a teacher of disobedience.
Lk. 2:22. they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him before the Lord,
Lk. 2:23. as it is prescribed in the law of the Lord, that every male child who opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
The words of the Law: "Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord" (Ex. 13:2, 12; 34:19) were fulfilled properly in Christ alone; for He Himself opened the womb of the Virgin, whereas with other mothers the womb is opened by the husband.
Lk. 2:24. 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.
The Law (Lev. 12:6–8) commanded to offer a pair of turtledoves as an indication that the childbearing was from a pure marriage. For it is said of the turtledove that she is a chaste bird, such that, having lost her mate, she does not couple with another. But if the parents did not have turtledoves, they offered two young pigeons, so that the life of this child might serve for the multiplication of offspring; for the pigeon is a prolific bird.
Lk. 2:25. At that time there was in Jerusalem a man whose name was Simeon. He was a righteous and devout man, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Lk. 2:26. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Simeon was not a priest, but was a God-loving man; he expected that Christ would come, the comforter of the Jews and liberator from the slavery of sin, and perhaps also from the slavery of the Romans and of Herod. For whoever believed in Christ was truly free and honored by kings and all people. Look at the apostles. Were they not slaves of the Romans? But now the Roman kings honor them and bow down before them. Thus, for them, the Israelites, Christ became a consolation.
Lk. 2:27. And he came by inspiration into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to perform over Him the customary rite of the law,
Lk. 2:28. He took Him into his arms, blessed God, and said:
Lk. 2:29. Now You are dismissing Your servant, O Master, according to Your word, in peace,
This Simeon, moved by the Holy Spirit, went up to the temple when the Mother brought the Lord, and, having received Him into his arms, confesses Him as God. For to say, "Now You are releasing Your servant, O Master," could only be said by one who confessed that He is the Lord of life and death. See how the saints considered the body to be bonds. Therefore he also says, "Now You are releasing," loosing as if from bonds. "According to Your word": he speaks of the prophecy he had received, that he would not die until he had seen Christ. "In peace" means: in tranquility. For a man, as long as he lives, "is troubled," as David says (Ps. 38:7); but the one who has died is at peace. "In peace" can also be understood in another way, namely: with the obtaining of what was expected. Before I saw the Lord, he says, I was not at peace in my thoughts, but I was awaiting Him and always pondered with anxiety when He would come; but now, when I have seen Him, I am at rest and have ceased to think — I am released.
Lk. 2:30. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
Lk. 2:31. Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
He called the incarnation of the Only-begotten "salvation," which God prepared before all ages. "He prepared... this salvation before the face of all people." For He became incarnate in order to save the world and so that His incarnation would be made manifest to all.
Lk. 2:32. Light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.
This salvation is "a light for the enlightenment of the Gentiles," that is, for the enlightenment of the darkened Gentiles, "and for the glory... of Israel," for Christ is truly the glory of the people of Israel, because from them He shone forth, and the truly prudent find their greatness in this. So says Simeon. And it seems to me that to this Simeon the words of David are also fitting: "With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation" (Ps. 90:16).
Lk. 2:33. Joseph and His Mother marveled at the things which were spoken about Him.
Lk. 2:34. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His Mother: behold, this One is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel.
Simeon blessed them both, but directed his words to the true Mother, leaving aside the supposed father. "Behold," he says, "this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel"; "for the fall" of the unbelieving, and for the believing — "for the rising." Or in another sense: the Lord is set "for the fall" of the evil nestled in our souls, and "for the rising" of good; fornication falls, chastity rises. It can also be understood in yet another way: Christ "is set... for the fall" means: He Himself is to suffer and undergo death, and through His fall many are to rise. So after the words "for the fall," place a period, then begin: "And for the rising of many."
Lk. 2:34. and into a sign spoken against,
"The sign" is the cross, which to this day finds contradiction against itself, that is, it is not accepted by unbelievers. The Incarnation of the Lord is also called a sign, and a wondrous sign, since God became man and a Virgin became a Mother. And this sign, that is, the Incarnation of Christ, is contradicted. For some say the body is from heaven, others that it is phantasmal, and still others babble other nonsense.
Lk. 2:35. And a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, (Virgin) –
He calls the "weapon" perhaps the grief that occurred during the Passion, or perhaps the scandal that assailed Her upon seeing the Lord crucified. For She, perhaps, pondered how He Who was born without seed, worked miracles, and raised the dead, was crucified, put to death, and spat upon.
Lk. 2:35. Let the thoughts of many hearts be revealed.
This means that "the thoughts of many" who are scandalized "will be opened and revealed," and once exposed, they will find swift healing. For example, You too, O Virgin, will be opened and revealed in Your thinking about Christ, and then will be confirmed in faith in Him. Likewise, Peter was shown to have denied; but the power of God was revealed, having received him again through repentance. And in another sense: "the thoughts of many hearts" were opened when the betrayer was exposed and those who loved Him were revealed, such as, for example, Joseph, who came to Pilate, and the women who stood at the Cross.
Lk. 2:36. There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who had reached a great old age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,
Lk. 2:37. a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, serving God with fasting and prayer day and night.
Lk. 2:38. And she at that time, coming up, gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all who were waiting for redemption in Jerusalem.
The Evangelist dwells on the narrative about Anna, listing her father and tribe, so that we may know that he speaks the truth, since he invites, as it were, many witnesses who know her father and tribe. She, together with others, "praised the Lord," that is, thanked Him, and told everyone about the Lord, that He is the Savior and consolation of us who await redemption.
Lk. 2:39. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
After fulfilling everything, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. Bethlehem was also their city, but as a homeland, while Nazareth was their place of residence.
Lk. 2:40. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
Jesus "grew" in body. Although He could have attained the measure of manhood from the very womb, He would then have appeared to be a phantom; therefore He grows little by little. With age, the wisdom of God the Word was manifested. For He was not wise through progress in learning — away with such a thought! But since He revealed His innate wisdom little by little, it is said that He advanced and "grew strong in spirit" in proportion to His bodily growth. For if He had displayed all wisdom at His very earliest age, He would have appeared monstrous. But now, revealing Himself as much as possible in accordance with His age, He was fulfilling the dispensation, not receiving wisdom. For what could be more perfect than He who was perfect from the beginning? Yet He reveals His inherent wisdom little by little.
Lk. 2:41. Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover.
Lk. 2:42. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem as usual for the feast.
Lk. 2:43. And when the days of the feast were completed, as they were returning, the Boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His Mother did not notice it,
Lk. 2:44. But they supposed that He was going with others. And having gone a day's journey, they began to search for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
Jesus goes to Jerusalem together with His parents, in order to show in everything that He neither opposes God nor resists the requirements of the Law. When they had fulfilled the days, that is, the seven days of Passover, He "remained... in Jerusalem."
Lk. 2:45. And not finding Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
Lk. 2:46. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions;
Lk. 2:47. All who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
He was reasoning with the scribes, posing questions to them from the Law. And all "were amazed." Do you see how He was advancing in wisdom, so that for many He became an object of curiosity and wonder? For the manifestation of His wisdom is His very advancement.
Lk. 2:48. And when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His Mother said to Him: Child! Why have You done this to us? Behold, Your father and I have been searching for You with great sorrow.
The Mother of God calls Joseph father, even though she knew that he was not the father. Without doubt, she names Joseph His father for the sake of the Jews, so that they would not conceive any impure thought concerning His birth. Otherwise: since Joseph applied fatherly care and service in His upbringing, she fittingly called him father himself, as though the Holy Spirit honored him with the title of father.
Lk. 2:49. He said to them: Why did you need to seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?
Why then were they seeking Him? Did they suppose that He, as a child, had gotten lost or gone astray? Away with such a thought! For it could not have occurred either to the most wise Mary, who had received countless revelations about Him, or to Joseph, to whom it had also been revealed that He was of the Holy Spirit. Rather, they were seeking Him lest He had somehow fallen behind them, lest He had somehow left them. And when they found Him, see how He answers them! Since the Virgin had called Joseph His father, He says: he, Joseph, is not My true Father, although I was in his house; but God is My Father, and therefore I am in His house, that is, in His temple.
Lk. 2:50. But they did not understand the words He spoke to them.
"But they did not understand" what He said to them, for this was a mystery.
Lk. 2:51. And He went with them and came to Nazareth; and was in submission to them.
Jesus was obedient to His parents, giving us also an example, so that we too would be obedient to our parents.
Lk. 2:51. And His Mother kept all these words in Her heart.
The Virgin kept all these things; for the deeds and words of the Child were divine and revealed in Him not a twelve-year-old child, but a fully mature man.
Lk. 2:52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature
To explain what it means "to increase in wisdom," the Evangelist adds: "and stature," for the increase "in stature" he calls an increase "in wisdom."
and in love with God and men.
that is, he did what was pleasing to God and praiseworthy before men; but first he was acceptable before God, and then before men; for one must first please God, and then men.
Lk. 2:1. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole world.
Lk. 2:2. This census was the first taken while Quirinius was governing Syria.
Lk. 2:3. And they all went to be registered, each to his own city.
Lk. 2:4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
Lk. 2:5. To register with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
The census takes place so that, when everyone goes to his own homeland, the Virgin also came to Bethlehem, her own homeland, and thus the Lord was born in Bethlehem, and the prophecy was fulfilled. When the one God was about to put an end to polytheism, it was fitting that one ruler — Caesar — should also hold dominion. Christ is also enrolled together with everyone. It was fitting for the Lord to be enrolled with the whole world, in order to sanctify those being enrolled and to abolish slavery; for just as, by undergoing circumcision, He abolished circumcision, so, by being enrolled as a slave, He abolished the slavery of our nature. For those who serve the Lord are no longer slaves of men, as the apostle says: "do not become slaves of men" (1 Cor. 7:23), but even if they are slaves in body, they are free in spirit, not being carried away by the impiety of their masters.
Lk. 2:6. And while they were there, the time came for Her to give birth;
Lk. 2:7. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and swaddled Him,
He rightly called the Lord the "Firstborn" Son of the Virgin, even though she bore no other child, for the one born first is called the firstborn, even if no other is born after him.
Lk. 2:7. and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
He is laid in a manger, perhaps in order to teach us humility from the very beginning, or perhaps also to symbolically show that He appeared in this world — a place inhabited by us who have become like senseless beasts (Ps. 48:13, 21). For just as the manger belongs to the cattle, so also this world belongs to us. Thus, the world is a manger, and we are senseless animals; and to redeem us from senselessness, He appeared here for this very reason.
Lk. 2:8. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Lk. 2:9. And suddenly an Angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were seized with great fear.
The angel appears to the shepherds because of the simplicity of their character and their innocence, since they visibly imitate the way of life of the righteous, for the ancient patriarchs as well—Jacob, Moses, and David—were shepherds. The angel did not appear in Jerusalem to the Pharisees or scribes, for they were a receptacle of every kind of malice; but those shepherds, being without guile, were deemed worthy of divine visions. The Lord showed by this that from the very beginning He chose and made into preachers those who were more simple-hearted than others, for they went out and began to proclaim all these things.
Lk. 2:10. And the Angel said to them: Fear not, for I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people:...
Lk. 2:11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Lk. 2:12. And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
The angel announced "great joy," which, he said, will be for all the people — specifically, for the people of God. For not all Jews are the people of God. But the incarnation of God was a joy for the entire human race as well.
Lk. 2:13. And suddenly there appeared with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and crying out:
Lk. 2:14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!
What does the song of the Angels mean? Without doubt, it is the thanksgiving of the heavenly ranks and their joy that we who live on earth have been blessed. For they say: "Glory... to God,... on earth peace has now come." Before, human nature was at enmity with God, but now it has been so reconciled that it has entered into union with God and has been united with Him in the incarnation. So then, do you see the peace of God with man? It can also be understood in another way. The Son of God Himself is peace, as He also says of Himself (John 14:27, 16:33). So then, peace itself, the Son of God, appeared on earth. And "good will among men," that is, the repose of God; for now God has found rest and has found good pleasure in men, whereas before He did not take pleasure and did not find in men anything pleasing to Himself.
Lk. 2:15. And when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: Let us go to Bethlehem and see what has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.
Lk. 2:16. And they came in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.
Lk. 2:17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
Lk. 2:18. And all who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them.
These shepherds are a type of the spiritual shepherds — the bishops. Thus, bishops must guard their flock and play, that is, sing something spiritual and teach the people, and then they will be deemed worthy of divine visions and hearings. Bethlehem means house of bread. And what other house of bread is this but the church, in which that bread is stored? Thus, it is the duty of the rational shepherds to seek the heavenly bread, and when they see this bread, it is their obligation to proclaim it to others as well, just as the shepherds, having seen the Infant, told others about Him.
Lk. 2:19. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in Her heart.
What words did the Virgin "keep"? Some say those which the Angel spoke to Her, and those which the shepherds told Her. She preserved them and "pondered them in Her heart," that is, she considered them and found in all of them one harmonious thought: that Her Son is God. But it seems to me that here "words" means events; it is as if to say: Mary "kept all these words," that is, those events of which I am now speaking, and by doing so I make them into words. For an event, when someone speaks of it, becomes a word.
Lk. 2:20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The shepherds returned with thanksgiving to God for all things; for they were not envious like the Jews.
Lk. 2:21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His name was called Jesus, which was so named by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb.
When the Law gave the commandments, then the transgressors of them were subjected to a curse. So the Lord is circumcised in order that, having fulfilled the Law in this respect too and having omitted nothing of what it commanded, He might redeem us from the curse. Let those henceforth be put to shame who say that He was incarnate only in appearance, for how was He circumcised if He was incarnate only in appearance? To investigate where the circumcised part is, however, is useless. For one ought not to inquire into what Scripture has passed over in silence. And it is entirely useless besides. One may say that after being cut off it fell to the ground and sanctified it, just as the blood and water that flowed from His side. And He, in a manner known to Him, preserved this part unharmed and after the Resurrection took it up again, so that in this respect too He would not be found lacking — just as we also in the resurrection shall receive our body in its entirety. Note that the Lord was not conceived immediately when the Angel said, "and behold, you will conceive" (Lk. 1:31), but after this, when He willed. For see what it says here: "named by the Angel before His conception in the womb." This is evident from the very expression itself, for he did not say "you are conceiving," but "you will conceive." From this one may conclude that the Lord was conceived at that time, but not at the very moment when the Angel was speaking, but perhaps when he finished speaking. However, we do not say this with certainty.
Lk. 2:22. And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled,
He rightly said "according to the law of Moses," for truly the Virgin had no need to await the days of purification, which, in the case of a male birth, were forty. In the Law it is said: "a woman shall conceive and bear a male child" (Lev. 12:2); but the Virgin conceived not from seed, but gave birth by the Holy Spirit. Therefore she had no need, but came to the temple out of a desire to fulfill the law. Why then in the case of a male birth are the days of purification seven, but for a female double? "If a woman," it is said, "conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days... But if she bears a female child, then during her purification she shall be unclean two weeks" (Lev. 12:2, 5)? Because she who has borne a male brings into the world another Adam, while she who has borne a female gives birth to another Eve—a weak and feeble vessel, a clay vessel, broken, a reed of deception, a teacher of disobedience.
Lk. 2:22. they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him before the Lord,
Lk. 2:23. as it is prescribed in the law of the Lord, that every male child who opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
The words of the Law: "Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord" (Ex. 13:2, 12; 34:19) were fulfilled properly in Christ alone; for He Himself opened the womb of the Virgin, whereas with other mothers the womb is opened by the husband.
Lk. 2:24. 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.
The Law (Lev. 12:6–8) commanded to offer a pair of turtledoves as an indication that the childbearing was from a pure marriage. For it is said of the turtledove that she is a chaste bird, such that, having lost her mate, she does not couple with another. But if the parents did not have turtledoves, they offered two young pigeons, so that the life of this child might serve for the multiplication of offspring; for the pigeon is a prolific bird.
Lk. 2:25. At that time there was in Jerusalem a man whose name was Simeon. He was a righteous and devout man, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Lk. 2:26. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Simeon was not a priest, but was a God-loving man; he expected that Christ would come, the comforter of the Jews and liberator from the slavery of sin, and perhaps also from the slavery of the Romans and of Herod. For whoever believed in Christ was truly free and honored by kings and all people. Look at the apostles. Were they not slaves of the Romans? But now the Roman kings honor them and bow down before them. Thus, for them, the Israelites, Christ became a consolation.
Lk. 2:27. And he came by inspiration into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to perform over Him the customary rite of the law,
Lk. 2:28. He took Him into his arms, blessed God, and said:
Lk. 2:29. Now You are dismissing Your servant, O Master, according to Your word, in peace,
This Simeon, moved by the Holy Spirit, went up to the temple when the Mother brought the Lord, and, having received Him into his arms, confesses Him as God. For to say, "Now You are releasing Your servant, O Master," could only be said by one who confessed that He is the Lord of life and death. See how the saints considered the body to be bonds. Therefore he also says, "Now You are releasing," loosing as if from bonds. "According to Your word": he speaks of the prophecy he had received, that he would not die until he had seen Christ. "In peace" means: in tranquility. For a man, as long as he lives, "is troubled," as David says (Ps. 38:7); but the one who has died is at peace. "In peace" can also be understood in another way, namely: with the obtaining of what was expected. Before I saw the Lord, he says, I was not at peace in my thoughts, but I was awaiting Him and always pondered with anxiety when He would come; but now, when I have seen Him, I am at rest and have ceased to think — I am released.
Lk. 2:30. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
Lk. 2:31. Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
He called the incarnation of the Only-begotten "salvation," which God prepared before all ages. "He prepared... this salvation before the face of all people." For He became incarnate in order to save the world and so that His incarnation would be made manifest to all.
Lk. 2:32. Light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.
This salvation is "a light for the enlightenment of the Gentiles," that is, for the enlightenment of the darkened Gentiles, "and for the glory... of Israel," for Christ is truly the glory of the people of Israel, because from them He shone forth, and the truly prudent find their greatness in this. So says Simeon. And it seems to me that to this Simeon the words of David are also fitting: "With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation" (Ps. 90:16).
Lk. 2:33. Joseph and His Mother marveled at the things which were spoken about Him.
Lk. 2:34. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His Mother: behold, this One is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel.
Simeon blessed them both, but directed his words to the true Mother, leaving aside the supposed father. "Behold," he says, "this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel"; "for the fall" of the unbelieving, and for the believing — "for the rising." Or in another sense: the Lord is set "for the fall" of the evil nestled in our souls, and "for the rising" of good; fornication falls, chastity rises. It can also be understood in yet another way: Christ "is set... for the fall" means: He Himself is to suffer and undergo death, and through His fall many are to rise. So after the words "for the fall," place a period, then begin: "And for the rising of many."
Lk. 2:34. and into a sign spoken against,
"The sign" is the cross, which to this day finds contradiction against itself, that is, it is not accepted by unbelievers. The Incarnation of the Lord is also called a sign, and a wondrous sign, since God became man and a Virgin became a Mother. And this sign, that is, the Incarnation of Christ, is contradicted. For some say the body is from heaven, others that it is phantasmal, and still others babble other nonsense.
Lk. 2:35. And a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, (Virgin) –
He calls the "weapon" perhaps the grief that occurred during the Passion, or perhaps the scandal that assailed Her upon seeing the Lord crucified. For She, perhaps, pondered how He Who was born without seed, worked miracles, and raised the dead, was crucified, put to death, and spat upon.
Lk. 2:35. Let the thoughts of many hearts be revealed.
This means that "the thoughts of many" who are scandalized "will be opened and revealed," and once exposed, they will find swift healing. For example, You too, O Virgin, will be opened and revealed in Your thinking about Christ, and then will be confirmed in faith in Him. Likewise, Peter was shown to have denied; but the power of God was revealed, having received him again through repentance. And in another sense: "the thoughts of many hearts" were opened when the betrayer was exposed and those who loved Him were revealed, such as, for example, Joseph, who came to Pilate, and the women who stood at the Cross.
Lk. 2:36. There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who had reached a great old age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,
Lk. 2:37. a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, serving God with fasting and prayer day and night.
Lk. 2:38. And she at that time, coming up, gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all who were waiting for redemption in Jerusalem.
The Evangelist dwells on the narrative about Anna, listing her father and tribe, so that we may know that he speaks the truth, since he invites, as it were, many witnesses who know her father and tribe. She, together with others, "praised the Lord," that is, thanked Him, and told everyone about the Lord, that He is the Savior and consolation of us who await redemption.
Lk. 2:39. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
After fulfilling everything, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. Bethlehem was also their city, but as a homeland, while Nazareth was their place of residence.
Lk. 2:40. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.
Jesus "grew" in body. Although He could have attained the measure of manhood from the very womb, He would then have appeared to be a phantom; therefore He grows little by little. With age, the wisdom of God the Word was manifested. For He was not wise through progress in learning — away with such a thought! But since He revealed His innate wisdom little by little, it is said that He advanced and "grew strong in spirit" in proportion to His bodily growth. For if He had displayed all wisdom at His very earliest age, He would have appeared monstrous. But now, revealing Himself as much as possible in accordance with His age, He was fulfilling the dispensation, not receiving wisdom. For what could be more perfect than He who was perfect from the beginning? Yet He reveals His inherent wisdom little by little.
Lk. 2:41. Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover.
Lk. 2:42. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem as usual for the feast.
Lk. 2:43. And when the days of the feast were completed, as they were returning, the Boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His Mother did not notice it,
Lk. 2:44. But they supposed that He was going with others. And having gone a day's journey, they began to search for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
Jesus goes to Jerusalem together with His parents, in order to show in everything that He neither opposes God nor resists the requirements of the Law. When they had fulfilled the days, that is, the seven days of Passover, He "remained... in Jerusalem."
Lk. 2:45. And not finding Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
Lk. 2:46. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions;
Lk. 2:47. All who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
He was reasoning with the scribes, posing questions to them from the Law. And all "were amazed." Do you see how He was advancing in wisdom, so that for many He became an object of curiosity and wonder? For the manifestation of His wisdom is His very advancement.
Lk. 2:48. And when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His Mother said to Him: Child! Why have You done this to us? Behold, Your father and I have been searching for You with great sorrow.
The Mother of God calls Joseph father, even though she knew that he was not the father. Without doubt, she names Joseph His father for the sake of the Jews, so that they would not conceive any impure thought concerning His birth. Otherwise: since Joseph applied fatherly care and service in His upbringing, she fittingly called him father himself, as though the Holy Spirit honored him with the title of father.
Lk. 2:49. He said to them: Why did you need to seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?
Why then were they seeking Him? Did they suppose that He, as a child, had gotten lost or gone astray? Away with such a thought! For it could not have occurred either to the most wise Mary, who had received countless revelations about Him, or to Joseph, to whom it had also been revealed that He was of the Holy Spirit. Rather, they were seeking Him lest He had somehow fallen behind them, lest He had somehow left them. And when they found Him, see how He answers them! Since the Virgin had called Joseph His father, He says: he, Joseph, is not My true Father, although I was in his house; but God is My Father, and therefore I am in His house, that is, in His temple.
Lk. 2:50. But they did not understand the words He spoke to them.
"But they did not understand" what He said to them, for this was a mystery.
Lk. 2:51. And He went with them and came to Nazareth; and was in submission to them.
Jesus was obedient to His parents, giving us also an example, so that we too would be obedient to our parents.
Lk. 2:51. And His Mother kept all these words in Her heart.
The Virgin kept all these things; for the deeds and words of the Child were divine and revealed in Him not a twelve-year-old child, but a fully mature man.
Lk. 2:52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature
To explain what it means "to increase in wisdom," the Evangelist adds: "and stature," for the increase "in stature" he calls an increase "in wisdom."
and in love with God and men.
that is, he did what was pleasing to God and praiseworthy before men; but first he was acceptable before God, and then before men; for one must first please God, and then men.