Luke 2 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 It was the time when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that there should be a census of everyone in the Roman Empire.
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 census under governor Quirinius of Syria.
2 Este empadronamiento primero fué hecho siendo Cirenio gobernador de la Siria.
3 So everybody went to their own city to be registered.
3 E iban todos para ser empadronados, cada uno á su ciudad.
4 Joseph was descended from King David, so he left Nazareth in Galilee to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, in Judea.
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 He went to register there, together with Mary, who was pledged in marriage to him and expecting a baby.
5 Para ser empadronado con María su mujer, desposada con él, la cual estaba en cinta.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to have her baby.
6 Y aconteció que estando ellos allí, se cumplieron los días en que ella había de parir.
7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him up in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because the inn had no rooms left.
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 Nearby some shepherds were spending the night out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks.
8 Y había pastores en la misma tierra, que velaban y guardaban las vigilias de la noche sobre su ganado.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them. They were scared out of their wits!
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 “Don't be afraid!” the angel told them. “I'm here to bring you good news that will make the all the people really glad.
10 Mas el ángel les dijo: No temáis; porque he aquí os doy nuevas de gran gozo, que será para todo el pueblo:
11 The Savior has been born to you today, here in David's city. He is the Messiah, the Lord.
11 Que os ha nacido hoy, en la ciudad de David, un Salvador, que es CRISTO el Señor.
12 You will recognize him by this sign: you will find the child wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
12 Y esto os [será] por señal: hallaréis al niño envuelto en pañales, echado en un pesebre.
13 Suddenly many heavenly beings appeared, praising God, 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 After the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see what's happened concerning these things the Lord has told us about.”
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 They hurried there and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
16 Y vinieron apriesa, y hallaron á María, y á José, y al niño acostado en el pesebre.
17 After they'd seen for themselves, they spread the news of what had happened and what they had been told about this baby.
17 Y viéndolo, hicieron notorio lo que les había sido dicho del niño.
18 All those who heard about it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
18 Y todos los que oyeron, se maravillaron de lo que los pastores les decían.
19 But Mary was careful to remember all the things that had happened and often thought about them.
19 Mas María guardaba todas estas cosas, confiriéndolas en su corazón.
20 The shepherds went back to watching their flocks, glorifying and thanking God for all that they'd heard and seen, for it was just as they'd been told.
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 After eight days, the time came for the baby to be circumcised, and he was named Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he had even been conceived.
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 When the time of their purification according to the law of Moses was finished, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem 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 as the law of the Lord states, “Every firstborn son must be dedicated to the Lord.”
23 (Como está escrito en la ley del Señor: Todo varón que abriere la matriz, será llamado santo al Señor),
24 There they made a sacrifice, as God's law also states, of “a pair of turtle doves 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 Living in Jerusalem at that time was a man called Simeon. Simeon did what was good and was very devout. He was waiting expectantly for the hope of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon 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 The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Messiah.
26 Y había recibido respuesta del Espíritu Santo, que no vería la muerte antes que viese al Cristo del Señor.
27 Following the Spirit's leading, he went to the Temple. When Jesus' parents brought in the little boy to be dedicated as required by 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 Simeon took Jesus in his arms, thanked God, and said,
28 Entonces él le tomó en sus brazos, y bendijo á Dios, y dijo:
29 “Lord and Master, now you can let your servant die in peace as you promised,
29 Ahora despides, Señor, á tu siervo, conforme á tu palabra, en paz;
30 because I have seen for myself your salvation
30 Porque han visto mis ojos tu salvación,
31 which you have prepared for everyone.
31 La cual has aparejado en presencia de todos los pueblos;
32 He is a light that will show you to the nations, the glory of your people Israel.”
32 Luz para ser revelada á los Gentiles, y la gloria de tu pueblo Israel.
33 Jesus' father and mother were shocked at what Simeon said about him.
33 Y José y su madre estaban maravillados de las cosas que se decían de él.
34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Jesus' mother Mary, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and many to rise. He is a sign from God that many will reject,
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 revealing what they really think. For you it will feel like a sword piercing right through you.”
35 Y una espada traspasará tu alma de ti misma, para que sean manifestados los pensamientos de muchos corazones.
36 Anna the prophetess also lived in Jerusalem. She was the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. She had been married for seven years,
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 had been widowed. She was eighty-four years old. She spent her time at the Temple in worship, fasting and praying.
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 She came up to them right at that moment, and began praising God. She spoke about Jesus to all those who were looking forward to the time when God would set Jerusalem free.
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 Once they had completed everything God's law required, they returned to their home town of Nazareth in Galilee.
39 Mas como cumplieron todas las cosas según la ley del Señor, se volvieron á Galilea, á su ciudad de Nazaret.
40 The child grew strong, and was very wise. God's blessing was with him.
40 Y el niño crecía, y fortalecíase, y se henchía de sabiduría; y la gracia de Dios era sobre él.
41 Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival.
41 E iban sus padres todos los años á Jerusalem en la fiesta de la Pascua.
42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as they always did.
42 Y cuando fué de doce años, subieron ellos á Jerusalem conforme á la costumbre del día de la fiesta.
43 When the festival had finished and it was time to return home, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, but his parents didn't realize this.
43 Y acabados los días, volviendo ellos, se quedó el niño Jesús en Jerusalem, sin saberlo José y su madre.
44 They assumed he was with all the others traveling home. A day passed before they started looking for him among their friends and relatives.
44 Y pensando que estaba en la compañía, anduvieron camino de un día; y le buscaban entre los parientes y entre los conocidos:
45 When they couldn't find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him there.
45 Mas como no le hallasen, volvieron á Jerusalem buscándole.
46 It was three days before they found him in the Temple. He was sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
46 Y aconteció, que tres días después le hallaron en el templo, sentado en medio de los doctores, oyéndoles y preguntándoles.
47 All who heard him speak were surprised by his understanding and his answers.
47 Y todos los que le oían, se pasmaban de su entendimiento y de sus respuestas.
48 His parents were totally confused when they saw what he was doing. His mother asked him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I—we've been worried sick! We've been looking everywhere for you!”
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 “Why is it that you were looking for me?” Jesus replied. “Didn't you know I should be here in my Father's house?”
49 Entonces él les dice: ¿Qué hay? ¿por qué me buscabais? ¿No sabíais que en los negocios de mi Padre me conviene estar?
50 But they didn't understand what he meant.
50 Mas ellos no entendieron las palabras que les habló.
51 Then he went back with them to Nazareth, and did what he was told. His mother kept a careful note of everything that happened.
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 Jesus grew steadily wiser and stronger, favored both by God and by the people.
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)