Luke Chapter 2 · Verse 9

Authorized King James Version

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And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδού, lo G2400
ἰδού, lo
Strong's: G2400
Word #: 2 of 15
used as imperative lo!
ἄγγελος the angel G32
ἄγγελος the angel
Strong's: G32
Word #: 3 of 15
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
κυρίου of the Lord G2962
κυρίου of the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 4 of 15
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐπέστη came upon G2186
ἐπέστη came upon
Strong's: G2186
Word #: 5 of 15
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
αὐτούς them G846
αὐτούς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 6 of 15
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 #: 7 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δόξα the glory G1391
δόξα the glory
Strong's: G1391
Word #: 8 of 15
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
κυρίου of the Lord G2962
κυρίου of the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 9 of 15
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
περιέλαμψεν shone round about G4034
περιέλαμψεν shone round about
Strong's: G4034
Word #: 10 of 15
to illuminate all around, i.e., invest with a halo
αὐτούς them G846
αὐτούς them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 11 of 15
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 #: 12 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐφοβήθησαν afraid G5399
ἐφοβήθησαν afraid
Strong's: G5399
Word #: 13 of 15
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
φόβον G5401
φόβον
Strong's: G5401
Word #: 14 of 15
alarm or fright
μέγαν they were sore G3173
μέγαν they were sore
Strong's: G3173
Word #: 15 of 15
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

Analysis & Commentary

The 'glory of the Lord shone round about them' as the angel appeared, and 'they were sore afraid.' The 'glory of the Lord' (Greek 'doxa kyriou,' δόξα κυρίου) refers to God's manifest presence—the Shekinah glory that filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34) and temple (1 Kings 8:11). This theophany demonstrates that Christ's birth is a divine invasion of earth, God breaking into human history. The shepherds' fear is appropriate—sinful humans rightly fear encountering holy God. Yet the angel immediately addresses their fear with good news, showing that this divine invasion brings salvation, not judgment.

Historical Context

The glory of the Lord had departed from Israel's temple before Babylonian destruction (Ezekiel 10-11) and had not returned despite the second temple's construction. Jewish hope yearned for glory's return, signaling God's renewed presence with His people. The angelic glory appearing to shepherds in fields rather than to priests in the temple radically subverts expectations—God's glory returns to Israel outside religious institutions, revealed to humble working people. This pattern continues in Jesus' ministry—divine presence manifests among common people rather than religious elites.

Questions for Reflection