Luke Chapter 2 · Verse 8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χώρᾳ
country
G5561
χώρᾳ
country
Strong's:
G5561
Word #:
6 of 18
room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν
the same
G846
αὐτῶν
the same
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 18
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 #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φυλάσσοντες
keeping
G5442
φυλάσσοντες
keeping
Strong's:
G5442
Word #:
11 of 18
to watch, i.e., be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid
φυλακὰς
watch
G5438
φυλακὰς
watch
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
12 of 18
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Shepherds ranked low in Jewish social hierarchy—ceremonially unclean due to constant contact with animals, unable to observe Sabbath and purity laws strictly, often suspected of theft and dishonesty. Their testimony was inadmissible in court. Yet David was a shepherd when anointed king, and God called Himself Israel's shepherd (Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34). The fields near Bethlehem may have been where temple lambs were raised—sacrificial lambs for Jerusalem's temple possibly watched by these shepherds who first witnessed the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sin.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's choice of shepherds as first witnesses to Christ's birth teach about the gospel's reach and heaven's values?
- How does the shepherds' faithful watching in humble circumstances model spiritual receptivity to divine revelation?
Analysis & Commentary
Shepherds 'abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night' receive the first angelic announcement of Christ's birth. God's choice of shepherds—among society's lowest classes—to receive heaven's greatest news demonstrates divine inversion of worldly values. The phrase 'keeping watch' (Greek 'phylassontes phylakas,' φυλάσσοντες φυλακάς) means guarding vigilantly, suggesting spiritual alertness. These shepherds faithfully fulfill humble duties while remaining spiritually receptive, making them fitting first witnesses to the Good Shepherd's birth.