Luke · Bible in Simple Spanish (2026)
Luke 2 Bible in Simple Spanish (2026)
Audio: Reina-Valera Antigua (RVA), read by Joyfull · About the recordings
1 En aquellos días salió un decreto de César Augusto para que todo el mundo fuera empadronado.
1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2 Este primer censo se hizo cuando Cirenio gobernaba Siria.
2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 Todos iban a registrarse, cada uno a su propia ciudad.
3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
4 José también subió de Galilea, de la ciudad de Nazaret, a Judea, a la ciudad de David, llamada Belén, porque era de la casa y familia de David.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 Fue a registrarse con María, su esposa prometida, quien estaba embarazada.
5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6 Mientras ellos estaban allí, se cumplió el tiempo de que ella diera a luz.
6 While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.
7 Dio a luz a su hijo primogénito, lo envolvió en pañales y lo acostó en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el alojamiento.
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 En la misma región había pastores que vivían en el campo y cuidaban sus rebaños durante la noche.
8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9 Un ángel del Señor se les apareció, y la gloria del Señor los rodeó de luz. Ellos tuvieron mucho miedo.
9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 Pero el ángel les dijo: No tengan miedo, porque les traigo buenas noticias de gran gozo, que serán para todo el pueblo.
10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11 Hoy, en la ciudad de David, les ha nacido un Salvador, que es Cristo el Señor.
11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 Esta será la señal para ustedes: encontrarán a un niño envuelto en pañales y acostado en un pesebre.
12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
13 De repente apareció con el ángel una multitud del ejército celestial, alabando a Dios y diciendo:
13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
15 Cuando los ángeles se fueron de ellos al cielo, los pastores se decían unos a otros: Vamos ahora a Belén y veamos esto que ha sucedido, y que el Señor nos ha dado a conocer.
15 When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 Fueron de prisa y encontraron a María, a José y al niño acostado en el pesebre.
16 They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17 Cuando lo vieron, contaron lo que se les había dicho acerca del niño.
17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
18 Todos los que oyeron se maravillaron de lo que los pastores les decían.
18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
19 Pero María guardaba todas estas cosas, meditándolas en su corazón.
19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20 Los pastores volvieron glorificando y alabando a Dios por todo lo que habían oído y visto, tal como se les había dicho.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
21 Cuando se cumplieron ocho días para circuncidar al niño, le pusieron por nombre Jesús, el nombre que el ángel le había dado antes de que fuera concebido.
21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 Cuando se cumplieron los días de la purificación según la Ley de Moisés, llevaron al niño a Jerusalén para presentarlo al Señor,
22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23 como está escrito en la Ley del Señor: Todo primer hijo varón será consagrado al Señor.
23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
24 También fueron para ofrecer el sacrificio según lo dicho en la Ley del Señor: un par de tórtolas o dos pichones de paloma.
24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25 En Jerusalén había un hombre llamado Simeón. Era justo y temeroso de Dios, esperaba la consolación de Israel, y el Espíritu Santo estaba sobre él.
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26 El Espíritu Santo le había revelado que no moriría antes de ver al Cristo del Señor.
26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 Movido por el Espíritu, Simeón fue al templo. Cuando los padres trajeron al niño Jesús para hacer por él conforme a la costumbre de la Ley,
27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28 Simeón lo tomó en sus brazos, alabó a Dios y dijo:
28 then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,
29 Ahora, Señor, despides a tu siervo en paz, conforme a tu palabra,
29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
30 porque mis ojos han visto tu salvación,
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 la cual has preparado delante de todos los pueblos:
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 luz para revelación a los gentiles, y gloria de tu pueblo Israel.
32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 José y la madre del niño estaban maravillados de las cosas que se decían de él.
33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him.
34 Simeón los bendijo y dijo a María, su madre: Mira, este niño está puesto para caída y levantamiento de muchos en Israel, y para señal que será contradicha.
34 Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35 Y a ti misma una espada te atravesará el alma, para que sean revelados los pensamientos de muchos corazones.
35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 También estaba allí Ana, profetisa, hija de Fanuel, de la tribu de Aser. Era de edad muy avanzada. Había vivido con su esposo siete años desde que se casó,
36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
37 y era viuda de ochenta y cuatro años. No se apartaba del templo, sino que servía a Dios noche y día con ayunos y oraciones.
37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.
38 Ella se presentó en ese mismo momento y comenzó a dar gracias a Dios. También hablaba del niño a todos los que esperaban la redención de Jerusalén.
38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 Después de cumplir todo lo ordenado por la Ley del Señor, volvieron a Galilea, a su ciudad de Nazaret.
39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 El niño crecía y se fortalecía en espíritu. Estaba lleno de sabiduría, y la gracia de Dios estaba sobre él.
40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Sus padres iban todos los años a Jerusalén para la fiesta de la Pascua.
41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
42 Cuando Jesús tenía doce años, subieron a Jerusalén según la costumbre de la fiesta.
42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast;
43 Al terminar los días de la fiesta, mientras ellos regresaban, el niño Jesús se quedó en Jerusalén, sin que José y su madre lo supieran.
43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,
44 Pensando que estaba entre el grupo de viajeros, caminaron un día. Luego lo buscaron entre sus parientes y conocidos.
44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 Como no lo encontraron, volvieron a Jerusalén buscándolo.
45 When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
46 Después de tres días lo encontraron en el templo, sentado en medio de los maestros, escuchándolos y haciéndoles preguntas.
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47 Todos los que lo oían estaban asombrados de su entendimiento y de sus respuestas.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 Cuando sus padres lo vieron, se sorprendieron. Su madre le dijo: Hijo, ¿por qué nos has hecho esto? Mira, tu padre y yo te hemos estado buscando con angustia.
48 When they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
49 Él les dijo: ¿Por qué me buscaban? ¿No sabían que debo ocuparme en los asuntos de mi Padre?
49 He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
50 Pero ellos no entendieron lo que les dijo.
50 They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.
51 Entonces descendió con ellos y volvió a Nazaret, y estaba sujeto a ellos. Su madre guardaba todas estas cosas en su corazón.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 Y Jesús crecía en sabiduría, en estatura y en gracia delante de Dios y de los hombres.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Anna
A prophetess of the tribe of Asher, well along in years, who never left the temple and gave thanks to God and spoke of the child to all who awaited redemption.
Cited in the guide: Luke 2:36
Caesar Augustus
The emperor from whom a decree went out that the whole empire be registered, bringing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.
Cited in the guide: Luke 2:1
Joseph
The carpenter of Nazareth, a just man who became Jesus' legal father.
Cited in the guide: Matt. 1:16-25; 2:13-23; Luke 1:27; 2:1-7
Mary
The virgin mother of Jesus, a young woman of Nazareth who trusted God's word.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 1; Luke 1-2
Phanuel
Named in Luke 2:36 as the father of the prophetess Anna.
Cited in the guide: Luke 2:36
Quirinius
The governor of Syria at the time of the first census decreed by Caesar Augustus.
Cited in the guide: Luke 2:2
Simeon
A righteous and devout man of Jerusalem, told by the Holy Spirit he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ, who took the child in his arms and blessed God.
Cited in the guide: Luke 2:25; Luke 2:34
Places
Bethlehem
Bethlehem was the home of Ruth and Boaz and the birthplace of David. Micah named it as the Messiah's birthplace — fulfilled in Jesus' nativity.
Cited in the guide: Micah 5:2; Ruth 1:19; Luke 2:4-7
Nazareth
A small agricultural village never named in the Old Testament. Jesus spent his childhood and early life here before beginning his public ministry.
Cited in the guide: Luke 2:39-40; Matthew 2:23; John 1:46
Cross references (49)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Luke 3:1; Matthew 24:14; Acts 25:21
- 2 Luke 3:1
- 4 Micah 5:2; John 7:42; 1 Samuel 16:1; Matthew 2:23; Luke 1:26–27
- 5 Matthew 1:18–19; Deuteronomy 22:22–27
- 6 Psalm 33:11; Revelation 12:1–5; Micah 5:2; Proverbs 19:21; Luke 1:57
- 7 Galatians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Isaiah 53:2–3; John 1:14; Luke 2:11–12
- 8 Psalm 78:70–71; Genesis 31:39–40; John 10:8–12; 1 Samuel 17:34–35; Ezekiel 34:8
- 9 Isaiah 60:1; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Acts 27:23; Revelation 18:1; 1 Kings 8:11
- 10 Isaiah 40:9; Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 52:7; Genesis 12:3; Matthew 28:18
- 11 Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21; Titus 3:4–7; Acts 2:36; Matthew 16:16
- 12 Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:1–2; Isaiah 7:11; Psalm 22:6; 2 Kings 19:29
- 13 Revelation 5:11; Psalm 148:2; Psalm 103:20–21; 1 Kings 22:19; Luke 15:10
- 14 Romans 5:1; Luke 19:38; Luke 1:79; Colossians 1:20; Isaiah 9:6–7
- 15 1 Peter 3:22; Matthew 2:1–2; Luke 24:51; Exodus 3:3; Matthew 2:9–11
- 16 Luke 19:32; Luke 2:12; Luke 2:7; Luke 22:13; Luke 1:39
- 17 Psalm 66:16; Luke 8:39; Psalm 71:17–18; Luke 2:38; Psalm 16:9–10
- 18 Luke 1:65–66; Luke 4:36; Luke 2:33; Isaiah 8:18; Luke 5:9–10
- 19 Luke 2:51; Luke 1:66; Proverbs 4:4; 1 Samuel 21:12; Genesis 37:11
- 20 Psalm 106:48; Acts 11:18; 1 Chronicles 29:10–12; Psalm 72:17–19; Matthew 9:8
- 21 Leviticus 12:3; Genesis 17:12; Luke 1:31; Luke 1:59; Matthew 1:21
- 22 Leviticus 12:1–8
- 23 Exodus 13:2; Numbers 3:13; Exodus 22:29; Numbers 18:15; Exodus 34:19
- 24 Leviticus 12:6–8; Leviticus 12:2; 2 Corinthians 8:9
- 25 Isaiah 25:9; Luke 2:38; Luke 1:6; Titus 2:11–14; Mark 15:43
- 26 John 8:51; Hebrews 11:5; Luke 9:27; Acts 10:38; John 20:31
- 27 Luke 2:22; Matthew 4:1; Luke 2:48; Luke 2:41; Acts 10:19
- 28 Luke 1:64; Luke 2:13–14; Mark 9:36; Luke 2:20; Mark 10:16
- 29 Revelation 14:13; Genesis 15:15; Philippians 1:23; Genesis 46:30; Isaiah 57:1–2
- 30 Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:10–11; Genesis 49:18; Isaiah 52:10; Luke 3:6
- 31 Isaiah 42:1–4; Isaiah 62:1–2; Psalm 98:2–3; Isaiah 42:10–12; Isaiah 45:21–25
- 32 Isaiah 60:1–3; Isaiah 49:6; Acts 26:23; Acts 13:47–48; Isaiah 42:6–7
- 33 Isaiah 8:18; Luke 1:65–66; Luke 2:48
- 34 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Peter 2:7–8; Isaiah 8:14–15; Matthew 21:44; 2 Corinthians 2:15–16
- 35 Deuteronomy 8:2; 1 Corinthians 11:19; Matthew 12:24–35; Luke 16:14–15; Acts 8:21–23
- 36 Psalm 92:14; Exodus 15:20; Genesis 30:13; Judges 4:4; Acts 2:18
- 37 1 Timothy 5:5; Psalm 23:6; Acts 14:23; Psalm 27:4; Acts 13:3
- 38 Luke 2:25; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Luke 1:68; Mark 15:43; Luke 24:21
- 39 Luke 2:4; Galatians 4:4–5; Matthew 3:15; Deuteronomy 12:32; Luke 2:21–24
- 40 Luke 2:52; Luke 1:80; Isaiah 11:1–5; John 1:14; 1 Samuel 2:26
- 41 Numbers 28:16; Leviticus 23:5; Exodus 23:14–17; Deuteronomy 16:1–8; Exodus 12:14
- 43 2 Chronicles 30:21–23; Exodus 12:15; 2 Chronicles 25:17
- 44 Isaiah 2:3; Psalm 122:1–4; Psalm 42:4
- 46 Isaiah 49:1–2; Luke 5:17; Isaiah 50:4; Acts 5:34; Matthew 27:63–64
- 47 Matthew 7:28; Luke 4:32; Psalm 119:99; John 7:15; Luke 4:22
- 48 Luke 2:49; Matthew 12:46; Luke 3:23; Luke 4:22
- 49 John 6:38; John 8:29; Malachi 3:1; Psalm 40:8; John 4:34
- 50 Luke 18:34; Mark 9:32; Luke 9:45
- 51 Luke 2:19; Daniel 7:28; Genesis 37:11; Mark 6:3; Ephesians 5:21
- 52 Luke 2:40; Proverbs 3:3–4; 1 Samuel 2:26; Romans 14:18; Luke 1:80
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
Why does my Bible say something different?
- Luke 2:14: “good will toward men” or “peace to men of good will”?
The angels’ song differs by a single Greek letter. Most manuscripts, the Patriarchal Text and the Orthodox Doxology read eudokia: “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Several of the oldest manuscripts read eudokias: “peace among men of his good pleasure,” which the Latin rendered “men of good will.” Both readings place the source of peace in God’s favour.
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
The production, again, of the Duodecad of the Æons, is indicated by the fact that the Lord was twelve years of age when He disputed with the teachers of the law, and by the election of the apostles, for of these there were twelve.
In Thy good pleasure lies our peace. The body by its own weight gravitates towards its own place.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
See, for instance, what saith the Virgin even to Himself: "Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee." For if this suspicion had been entertained, neither would He any longer have been accounted to be a Son of David, and this opinion not being held, many other evils besides would have arisen.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
For we shall not tolerate the heretics who sever the Old Testament from the New, but shall believe Christ, who says concerning the temple, Wist ye not that I must be in My Father's house?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
For how are angels to cry "Glory to God in the highest" without being empowered by the Spirit?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)