Luke 2:12

And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And {G2532} this {G5124} shall be a sign {G4592} unto you {G5213}; Ye shall find {G2147} the babe {G1025} wrapped in swaddling clothes {G4683}, lying {G2749} in {G1722} a manger {G5336}.

Here is how you will know: you will find a baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a feeding trough."

And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

Luke 2:12 is a pivotal verse in the Christmas narrative, delivered by an angel to a group of shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night near Bethlehem. Following the angel's announcement of the birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord, this verse provides the specific, verifiable sign for them to identify the newborn Messiah. This divine instruction directed these humble shepherds to the very birthplace of Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sign and Validation: The angel provides a clear, unmistakable "sign" to assure the shepherds that they would find the correct child. This sign was not majestic or grand, but remarkably humble, ensuring they would know exactly who the angelic host had announced.
  • Humility of the Incarnation: The most striking detail is the "manger." This humble feeding trough, instead of a typical cradle, profoundly signifies the humility of God becoming man. The King of Kings was born in the most unassuming circumstances, foreshadowing His earthly ministry of serving the poor and outcast.
  • Accessibility of Christ: The simplicity of the sign—a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger—made the Messiah accessible even to the lowest members of society, like the shepherds. This contrasts sharply with typical expectations of a king born in a palace, emphasizing that Jesus came for all people.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "sign" is sēmeion (σημεῖον), which denotes a distinguishing mark, a miracle, or a token by which something is known and authenticated. In this context, it serves as a divine authentication for the shepherds. "Swaddling clothes" (Greek: sparganoō, σπαργανόω, to wrap in swaddling clothes) refers to strips of cloth used to tightly bind newborn infants, a common practice in ancient times for comfort and security. The term "manger" (Greek: phatnē, φάτνη) literally means a feeding trough, emphasizing the rustic and humble setting of Jesus' birth, far from any royal pomp.

Related Scriptures

This sign serves as a direct fulfillment of the nature of the coming Messiah. The humble birth contrasts sharply with the glorious pronouncements of His coming, as seen in Isaiah 9:6, which speaks of a child who would be called 'Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God'. The theme of God choosing the humble and lowly is a recurring motif in scripture, powerfully echoed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:27, where God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, demonstrating His power through weakness.

Practical Application

Luke 2:12 reminds us that God often works in unexpected and humble ways. The greatest gift to humanity, the Savior of the world, was not found in a place of power or prestige, but in a lowly manger, accessible to all. This verse calls us to look beyond outward appearances and societal expectations to recognize God's presence and power. It highlights the profound truth that true greatness is often found in humility and that God's love extends to everyone, regardless of their social standing. It encourages us to embrace humility and to seek Christ not in grand displays, but in the simple, often overlooked, aspects of life and faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • Isaiah 53:1

    ¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

  • Isaiah 53:2

    For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

  • Isaiah 7:11

    Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

  • Psalms 22:6

    But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

  • 1 Samuel 2:34

    And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

  • 2 Kings 20:8

    And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What [shall be] the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?

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