Luke 2:15

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096}, as {G5613} the angels {G32} were gone away {G565} from {G575} them {G846} into {G1519} heaven {G3772},{G2532} the shepherds {G444}{G4166} said {G2036} one {G240} to {G4314} another {G240}, Let us {G1330} now {G1211} go {G1330} even unto {G2193} Bethlehem {G965}, and {G2532} see {G1492} this {G5124} thing {G4487} which is come to pass {G1096}, which {G3739}{G3588} the Lord {G2962} hath made known {G1107} unto us {G2254}.

No sooner had the angels left them and gone back into heaven than the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go over to Beit-Lechem and see this thing that has happened, that ADONAI has told us about."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Commentary

Context of Luke 2:15

The verse Luke 2:15 captures the immediate, faithful response of the shepherds after a momentous divine encounter. It follows the dramatic appearance of a single angel, who announced the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord, in Bethlehem (Luke 2:11), followed by a multitude of the heavenly host praising God (Luke 2:13). These humble shepherds, often marginalized in society, were chosen as the first human recipients of this glorious news. As the celestial vision faded and the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds did not hesitate but immediately decided to act on the revelation given to them.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Revelation and Human Response: The verse highlights God's initiative in revealing His plan to humanity through angels, and the shepherds' prompt, obedient response. Their decision to "go even unto Bethlehem" demonstrates faith in the divine message.
  • Humility and God's Favor: It is significant that the first witnesses to the Messiah's birth were simple shepherds, contrasting with the religious and political elite of the time. This underscores a recurring biblical theme that God often chooses the lowly and overlooked to reveal His greatest truths and purposes (1 Corinthians 1:27).
  • Urgency and Verification: The phrase "Let us now go" conveys a sense of immediate, unhesitating resolve. The shepherds were compelled to verify the incredible news, demonstrating a genuine desire to experience the truth of God's word for themselves. They sought to "see this thing which is come to pass."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "this thing which is come to pass" translates the Greek word rhēma (ῥῆμα). While often translated as "word," rhēma in this context refers to a "matter" or "event," specifically the divine utterance or event of the Messiah's birth. It emphasizes that what the Lord had "made known" (Greek gnōrizō, γνωρίζω – to cause to know, reveal) was not merely a concept but a tangible, miraculous reality that they were eager to witness.

Practical Application

The shepherds' response in Luke 2:15 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Immediate Response to God's Word: Like the shepherds, we are called to respond with promptness and faith when God reveals His truth or calls us to action. Hesitation can cause us to miss divine opportunities.
  2. Active Seeking of Christ: Their journey to Bethlehem serves as a model for actively seeking Jesus in our lives, whether through diligent study of His Word, consistent prayer, or participation in Christian community.
  3. Witness and Sharing: Their experience of seeing the Christ child led them to spread the word about what they had witnessed (Luke 2:17), reminding us of our call to share the good news of Jesus with others.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Peter 3:22 (5 votes)

    Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

  • Matthew 2:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

  • Matthew 2:2 (4 votes)

    Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

  • Psalms 111:2 (3 votes)

    The works of the LORD [are] great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

  • Matthew 2:9 (3 votes)

    ¶ When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

  • Matthew 2:11 (3 votes)

    And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

  • John 20:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.