Luke 2:15

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Word-by-Word Analysis

Καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γεγονὸς

G1096

it came to pass

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ὡς

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἀπῆλθον

G565

were gone away

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

ἀπ'

G575

from

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

αὐτῶν

G846

them

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εἰς

G1519

into

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ὁ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανὸν

G3772

heaven

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

#10

ὁ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#11

ἄγγελοι

G32

the angels

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

#12

Καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#13

ὁ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#14

ἀνθρωποι

G444

the

man-faced, i.e., a human being

#15

ὁ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#16

ποιμένες

G4166

shepherds

a shepherd (literally or figuratively)

#17

εἶπον

G2036

said

to speak or say (by word or writing)

#18

πρὸς

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

#19

ἀλλήλους

G240

another

one another

#20

Διέλθωμεν

G1330

Let us

to traverse (literally)

#21

δὴ

G1211

now

a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc

#22

ἕως

G2193

even unto

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

#23

Βηθλέεμ

G965

Bethlehem

bethleem (i.e., beth-lechem), a place in palestine

#24

Καὶ

G2532

And

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#25

ἴδωμεν

G1492

see

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

#26

ὁ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#27

ῥῆμα

G4487

thing

an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat

#28

τοῦτο

G5124

this

that thing

#29

ὁ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#30

γεγονὸς

G1096

it came to pass

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

#31

ὃ

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#32

ὁ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#33

κύριος

G2962

the Lord

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

#34

ἐγνώρισεν

G1107

hath made known

to make known; subjectively, to know

#35

ἡμῖν

G2254

unto us

to (or for, with, by) us

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

Related Resources

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Luke 2:15

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

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People

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