Luke 2:7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔτεκεν
she brought forth
G5088
ἔτεκεν
she brought forth
Strong's:
G5088
Word #:
2 of 24
to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), literally or figuratively
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸν
son
G5207
υἱὸν
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
4 of 24
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
αὐτοῖς
for them
G846
αὐτοῖς
for them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 24
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
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρωτότοκον
firstborn
G4416
πρωτότοκον
firstborn
Strong's:
G4416
Word #:
7 of 24
first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐσπαργάνωσεν
in swaddling clothes
G4683
ἐσπαργάνωσεν
in swaddling clothes
Strong's:
G4683
Word #:
9 of 24
to wrap tightly in cloths (especially a new born baby)
αὐτοῖς
for them
G846
αὐτοῖς
for them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 24
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
for them
G846
αὐτοῖς
for them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 24
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
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῖς
for them
G846
αὐτοῖς
for them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 24
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
τόπος
room
G5117
τόπος
room
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
21 of 24
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
Cross References
Galatians 4:4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.Matthew 1:25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.Matthew 8:20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Historical Context
Bethlehem's 'inn' was likely a caravanserai (traveler's lodging) or possibly a guest room in a relative's home. The manger suggests a stable or cave used for animals—traditional sites in Bethlehem include the Church of the Nativity built over caves. The swaddling and manger would have signaled to shepherds (themselves socially marginal) that this was indeed the prophesied child. Jesus' birth in poverty fulfilled no one's messianic expectations, challenging assumptions about divine power and glory.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the incarnation's humble circumstances reveal about God's values versus worldly power?
- How does Jesus' birth in a manger foreshadow His entire ministry of identification with the lowly?
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Analysis & Commentary
The nativity verse: 'And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn' (καὶ ἔτεκεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐσπαργάνωσεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἀνέκλινεν αὐτὸν ἐν φάτνῃ, διότι οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῖς τόπος ἐν τῷ καταλύματι). 'Prōtotokos' (πρωτότοκος, firstborn) indicates Jesus was Mary's first child, contradicting perpetual virginity doctrines. 'Sparganōō' (σπαργανόω) means to wrap in strips of cloth—normal infant care. The 'phatnē' (φάτνη, manger/feeding trough) and lack of 'topos' (τόπος, room) in the 'katalyma' (κατάλυμα, guest room/inn) emphasize the incarnation's humility. The Creator of the universe entered His creation in the lowliest circumstances, foreshadowing His identification with the poor and marginalized.