Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
The Birth of Oirist. LUKE II. The Circumcision of Christ. measure, in the form of a Hebrew parallelism of two complete clauses, and a third one only amplifying the second, and so without a connecting " and." Tlie "glory to God," which the new-born "Saviour" was to bring, is the first note of this sublime hymn : to this answers, in the second clause, " the peace on earth," of which He was to be " tho Prince" (Isaiah 9. G)—probably sung responsively by the celestial choir; while quick follows the glad echo of this note, probably by a third detachment of the angelic cliorlsters "Oood-will to men." 'They say not, glory to God in heaven, where angels are, but, using a rare expression, " in the highest (heavens)," whither angels aspire not,' Hebrews 1. 3, 4. [Bengel.] " Peace" with God is the grand necessity of a fallen world. To bring in tliis, and all other peace in its train, was the prime errand of the Saviour to this earth, and, along with it. Heaven's whole "good-will to men"—the Divine complacency on a new footing—descends to rest upon men, as upon the Son Himself, lu whom God is " well-pleased." (Matthew 3. 17, the same word as here.) 15. let us go, ifee.— lovely simplicity of devoutnessand faith this ! They are not taken up with the angels, tlie glory that invested them, and the lofty strains with which they filled the air. Nor do they say. Let us go and see if this be true—they have no misgivings. But " let us go and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." Does not this confirm the view given on v. 8 of the spirit of these humble men? 16. with hast«— Cf. ch. 1. 39; Matthew 28. 8 ("did run"); John 4. 28 ("left her water-pot," as they do their flocks, in a transport), found Blary, &c.— by niglit—or, ' night watcnes," taking their turn of watching. From about Passover-time in April until autumn, the flocks pastured constantly in the open fields, the shepherds lodging there all that time. (From this it seems plain that the period of the year usually assigned to our Lord'3 birth is too late.) Were these sliepherds chosen to have the first sight of the blessed Babe without any re-
Rpect to the'.r own state of mind? That, at least, is not God's way. 'No doubt, like Simeon (v. 25), they were •mong the waiters for the Consolation of Israel' [OlSHAtrsEN]; and, if the simplicity of their rustic minds, their quiet occupation, the stillness of the midn ight hours, and the amplitude of the deep blue vault above them for the heavenly music which was to fill their ear, pointed them out as fit recipients for the first tidings of an Infant Saviour, the congenial meditations and conversations by which, we may suppose, they would beguile the tedious hours would perfect their preparation for the unexpected visit. Thus was Nathanael engaged, all alone but not unseen, under the fig-tree, in unconscious preparation for his first interview wltli Jesus. (See on John 1. 48.) So was the rapt seer on his lonely rock "in the spirit on the Lord's Day," little thinking that this was his preparation for hearing behind him the trumpet-voice of the Son of man (Revelation 1. 10, &c.). But if the shepherds in his Immediate neighbourhood had the first, the sages from afar had the next sight of the new-born King. Even so BtlU, simplicity first, science next, finds Its way to Christ. Whom lu quiet ever and in shade ' mysteriously guided by the Spirit to the right place througti the obscurity of the Slieplierds and Sage may find night.' [Olshausen.] a manger—'tlie manger,' as before. 17. made known abroad—lieforo tlioir return {v. 20), and thus were the first evangelists. [Bengel.] !40. glorifying and praising God, &c.—The l.-itter word, used of the song of tlie angels (v. 13), and ch. 19. 37, and cli. 21. 53, leads us to suppose that theirs was a song too, probably some canticle from the Psalter—meet vehicle for the swelling emotions of their simple hearts at what "they had heard and seen."
Tliey, who have bowed untaught to Nature's sway, And they, who follow Truth along her star-pav'd way. Keble.
9. glory of tlie Lord—'the brightness or glory which is represented as encompassing all heavenly visions.' [OlBHAUSES.] sore afraid— .so it ever was (Daniel 10.7,8; Luke 1. 12; Revelation 1. 17). Men have never felt easy with the invisible world laid suddenly open to their gaze.
It was never meant to be permanent; a momentary purpose was all it was intended to serve. 10. to all people to the whole people,' i. e., of Israel ; to be by them afterwards opened up to the whole world. (See on v. It.) H. onto you is born, &c.—you shepherds, Israel, mankind. [Bexgei,.] Cf. Isaiah 9. 6, "Unto us a Child is born." It
21. Circumcision of Christ—Here only recorded, ana even here merely alluded to, for the sake of the name then given to the holy Babe, "Jesus," or Saviour (Matthew 1. 21 ; Acts 13. 23). Yet in this naming of Him "Saviour," in the act of circumcising Him, which was a symbolical and bloody removal of the body of sin, we have a tacit intimation that they "had need"—as John said of His Baptism—rather to be circumcised by Him " with the circumcision made without hands, in the putting off of the body [of the sins] of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ" (Colossians 2. 11), and that He only "suffered it to be so, because thus it became Him to fulfil all righteousness" (Matthew 3. 15). Still the circumcision of Clirist had a profound bearing on His own work—by few riglitly apprehended. For since "he that is circumcised is a debtor is a Birtlo—" The Word is made flesh." When ? " This day." Where? " Jn the city of David"—in the right line and at the right spot ; where prophecy bade us look for Him, and faith accordingly expected Him. How dear to us should be the.se historic ?reot/rinf/« of our faith ! Witli the loss of them all substantial Christianity is lost. By means of them how many have been kept from making shipwreck, and attained to a certain external admiration of Him, ere yet they have fully " beheld lus glory." a Savionr—not One who shall be a Saviour, but " born a Saviour." Clirist the Ijord—' magnificent appellation !' [Bengei,.] 'This is the only place where these words come together; and I »ee no way of understanding this "Lord" but as corresponding to the Hebrew Jehovah.' [Alford.] 12. a sign —'theslgn.' thebabe—'aBabe.' amanger—'themanger.' The sign was to consist, it seems, solely in the overpowering contrast between tlie things Just said of Him and the lowly condition In which tliey would find Him— 'Him whose goings forth have been from of old, from everla.st Ing, " ye shall find a Balje;" Whom the heaven of lieavens cannot contain, "wrapt in swaddling-bands;" the "Sato do the whole law" (Galatians 5. 3), Jesus thus bore about with Him in his very flesh the seal of a voluntary obligation to do the whole law—by Him only possible in the flesh since the fall. And as He was "made under the law" for no ends of His own, but only "to redeem themthat were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Galatians 4. 4, 5), the obedience to wliicli His circumcision pledged Him was a redeeming obedience—that of a "Saviour." And, flnally, as "Christ hatli redeemed us from the curse of the law" by "being made a curse for us" (Galatians 3. 13), we must regard Him, in His circumviour, Christ the Lord," lying in a manger !' Thus early were these amazing contrasts, whlcli are His cliosen style, held forth. (See 2 Corinthians 8. 9.) 13. suddenly—as if only waiting till their fellow had done, with the angel Who retires not, but is joined by others, come to seal and to celebrate the tidings he lias brought, heavenly host or 'army,' an arm^/ celebrating peace .' [Bengei.] 'transferring the occupation of their exalted station to tiiis poor earth, which so seldom resounds with tlie puro praise of God' [Olshausen]; to let it be known how this event cision, as brought under a palpable pledge to be "obedient % unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2. 8).
22-40. Purification of the Virgin—Presentation OF THE Babe in the Temple—Scene there with Simeon and Anna, aa, 24. her purification-Though the most and best copies read "their," it was the mother only who needed purifying from the legal uncleanuess of cliild-bearlng. "The days" of this purification for a male child were forty in all (Leviticus 12. 2, 4), on the expiry of which the mother was required to offer a lamb for a burnt i is regarded In heaven and should be regarded on earth. glory, (Sc. — brief but transporting hymn — not only in Hrticulate human speech, for our belioof, but in tunable offering, and a turtle-dove or a young pigeon for a sin offering. If she could not afford a lamb, the mother had to