Luke · Catholic Public Domain Version
Luke 2 Catholic Public Domain Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (3)
- Esther and Daniel are the Vulgate books (Esther 1–16 with the Greek additions as chapters 10:4–16; Daniel 1–14 with the Song of the Three, Susanna and Bel). Baruch 6 is the Letter of Jeremiah.
- The translator's footnotes, cross-references, chapter summaries and book introductions in the CrossWire module are not shown.
- No imprimatur; single translator.
1 And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled.
1 Y ACONTECIÓ en aquellos días que salió edicto de parte de Augusto César, que toda la tierra fuese empadronada.
2 This was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius.
2 Este empadronamiento primero fué hecho siendo Cirenio gobernador de la Siria.
3 And all went to be declared, each one to his own city.
3 E iban todos para ser empadronados, cada uno á su ciudad.
4 Then Joseph also ascended from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
4 Y subió José de Galilea, de la ciudad de Nazaret, á Judea, á la ciudad de David, que se llama Bethlehem, por cuanto era de la casa y familia de David;
5 in order to be declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
5 Para ser empadronado con María su mujer, desposada con él, la cual estaba en cinta.
6 Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth.
6 Y aconteció que estando ellos allí, se cumplieron los días en que ella había de parir.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son. And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.
7 Y parió á su hijo primogénito, y le envolvió en pañales, y acostóle en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón.
8 And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock.
8 Y había pastores en la misma tierra, que velaban y guardaban las vigilias de la noche sobre su ganado.
9 And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood near them, and the brightness of God shone around them, and they were struck with a great fear.
9 Y he aquí el ángel del Señor vino sobre ellos, y la claridad de Dios los cercó de resplandor; y tuvieron gran temor.
10 And the Angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. For, behold, I proclaim to you a great joy, which will be for all the people.
10 Mas el ángel les dijo: No temáis; porque he aquí os doy nuevas de gran gozo, que será para todo el pueblo:
11 For today a Savior has been born for you in the city of David: he is Christ the Lord.
11 Que os ha nacido hoy, en la ciudad de David, un Salvador, que es CRISTO el Señor.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
12 Y esto os [será] por señal: hallaréis al niño envuelto en pañales, echado en un pesebre.
13 And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the celestial army, praising God and saying,
13 Y repentinamente fué con el ángel una multitud de los ejércitos celestiales, que alababan á Dios, y decían:
14 Gloria en las alturas á Dios, y en la tierra paz, buena voluntad para con los hombres.
15 And it happened that, when the Angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us cross over to Bethlehem and see this word, which has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us.”
15 Y aconteció que como los ángeles se fueron de ellos al cielo, los pastores dijeron los unos á los otros: Pasemos pues hasta Bethlehem, y veamos esto que ha sucedido, que el Señor nos ha manifestado.
16 And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger.
16 Y vinieron apriesa, y hallaron á María, y á José, y al niño acostado en el pesebre.
17 Then, upon seeing this, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this boy.
17 Y viéndolo, hicieron notorio lo que les había sido dicho del niño.
18 And all who heard it were amazed by this, and by those things which were told to them by the shepherds.
18 Y todos los que oyeron, se maravillaron de lo que los pastores les decían.
19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.
19 Mas María guardaba todas estas cosas, confiriéndolas en su corazón.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told to them.
20 Y se volvieron los pastores glorificando y alabando á Dios de todas las cosas que habían oído y visto, como les había sido dicho.
21 And after eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, just as he was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb.
21 Y pasados los ocho días para circuncidar al niño, llamaron su nombre JESÚS; el cual [le] fué puesto por el ángel antes que él fuese concebido en el vientre.
22 And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,
22 Y como se cumplieron los días de la purificación de ella, conforme á la ley de Moisés, le trajeron á Jerusalem para presentarle al Señor,
23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,”
23 (Como está escrito en la ley del Señor: Todo varón que abriere la matriz, será llamado santo al Señor),
24 and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
24 Y para dar la ofrenda, conforme á lo que está dicho en la ley del Señor: un par de tórtolas, ó dos palominos.
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
25 Y he aquí, había un hombre en Jerusalem, llamado Simeón, y este hombre, justo y pío, esperaba la consolación de Israel: y el Espíritu Santo era sobre él.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
26 Y había recibido respuesta del Espíritu Santo, que no vería la muerte antes que viese al Cristo del Señor.
27 And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
27 Y vino por Espíritu al templo. Y cuando metieron al niño Jesús sus padres en el templo, para hacer por él conforme á la costumbre de la ley,
28 he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
28 Entonces él le tomó en sus brazos, y bendijo á Dios, y dijo:
29 “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.
29 Ahora despides, Señor, á tu siervo, conforme á tu palabra, en paz;
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
30 Porque han visto mis ojos tu salvación,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
31 La cual has aparejado en presencia de todos los pueblos;
32 the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
32 Luz para ser revelada á los Gentiles, y la gloria de tu pueblo Israel.
33 And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
33 Y José y su madre estaban maravillados de las cosas que se decían de él.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
34 Y los bendijo Simeón, y dijo á su madre María: He aquí, éste es puesto para caída y para levantamiento de muchos en Israel; y para señal á la que será contradicho;
35 And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
35 Y una espada traspasará tu alma de ti misma, para que sean manifestados los pensamientos de muchos corazones.
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity.
36 Estaba también [allí] Ana, profetisa, hija de Phanuel, de la tribu de Aser; la cual había venido en grande edad, y había vivido con su marido siete años desde su virginidad;
37 And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day.
37 Y era viuda de hasta ochenta y cuatro años, que no se apartaba del templo, sirviendo de noche y de día con ayunos y oraciones.
38 And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.
38 Y ésta, sobreviniendo en la misma hora, juntamente confesaba al Señor, y hablaba de él á todos los que esperaban la redención en Jerusalem.
39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.
39 Mas como cumplieron todas las cosas según la ley del Señor, se volvieron á Galilea, á su ciudad de Nazaret.
40 Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.
40 Y el niño crecía, y fortalecíase, y se henchía de sabiduría; y la gracia de Dios era sobre él.
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover.
41 E iban sus padres todos los años á Jerusalem en la fiesta de la Pascua.
42 And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day.
42 Y cuando fué de doce años, subieron ellos á Jerusalem conforme á la costumbre del día de la fiesta.
43 And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this.
43 Y acabados los días, volviendo ellos, se quedó el niño Jesús en Jerusalem, sin saberlo José y su madre.
44 But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances.
44 Y pensando que estaba en la compañía, anduvieron camino de un día; y le buscaban entre los parientes y entre los conocidos:
45 And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
45 Mas como no le hallasen, volvieron á Jerusalem buscándole.
46 And it happened that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and questioning them.
46 Y aconteció, que tres días después le hallaron en el templo, sentado en medio de los doctores, oyéndoles y preguntándoles.
47 But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses.
47 Y todos los que le oían, se pasmaban de su entendimiento y de sus respuestas.
48 And upon seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: “Son, why have you acted this way toward us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you in sorrow.”
48 Y cuando le vieron, se maravillaron; y díjole su madre: Hijo, ¿por qué nos has hecho así? He aquí, tu padre y yo te hemos buscado con dolor.
49 And he said to them: “How is it that you were seeking me? For did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in these things which are of my Father?”
49 Entonces él les dice: ¿Qué hay? ¿por qué me buscabais? ¿No sabíais que en los negocios de mi Padre me conviene estar?
50 And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.
50 Mas ellos no entendieron las palabras que les habló.
51 And he descended with them and went to Nazareth. And he was subordinate to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.
51 Y descendió con ellos, y vino á Nazaret, y estaba sujeto á ellos. Y su madre guardaba todas estas cosas en su corazón.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace, with God and men.
52 Y Jesús crecía en sabiduría, y en edad, y en gracia para con Dios y los hombres.
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)