Luke 2:16

KJV

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they came {G2064} with haste {G4692}, and {G2532}{G5037} found {G429} Mary {G3137}, and {G2532} Joseph {G2501}, and {G2532} the babe {G1025} lying {G2749} in {G1722} a manger {G5336}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hurrying off, they came and found Miryam and Yosef, and the baby lying in the feeding trough.

Berean Standard Bible

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.

American Standard Version

And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:16 describes the immediate and eager response of the shepherds to the angelic announcement of Christ's birth. Driven by faith and divine instruction, they journeyed to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Savior precisely as foretold, lying in the humble setting of a manger. This verse marks the fulfillment of the angelic sign and the first human encounter with the incarnate Lord, highlighting the accessibility of God's salvation to all, especially the humble.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 2:16 is the direct culmination of the angelic announcement to the shepherds in the preceding verses. Having been startled by the glory of the Lord and comforted by the angel's "good tidings of great joy" [Luke 2:10](/luke/2-10 "The Angelic Announcement"), the shepherds were given a specific sign to verify the Messiah's birth: "You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" [Luke 2:12](/luke/2-12 "The Sign of the Manger"). Following this, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared, praising God [Luke 2:13-14](/luke/2-13-14 "The Heavenly Host Praises God"). Luke 2:15 records the shepherds' decision to go to Bethlehem "with haste," and verse 16 details their successful discovery, confirming the divine message. This narrative sequence emphasizes the reliability of God's word and the shepherds' immediate, believing obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Bethlehem, a small Judean town with ancient significance as the birthplace of King David [1 Samuel 17:12](/1_samuel/17-12 "David's Hometown"). At the time, the Roman Empire had imposed a census, requiring Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem [Luke 2:1-5](/luke/2-1-5 "The Roman Census and Journey to Bethlehem"). The lack of lodging, likely due to the influx of people for the census, forced them to use an animal shelter, which included a feeding trough or "manger." Shepherds, in Jewish society, were often considered a low-status occupation, sometimes even ritually unclean, making their selection as the first recipients of the Messiah's birth announcement a significant subversion of societal norms, underscoring God's favor for the humble and marginalized.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **divine revelation and human response**, as the shepherds immediately act on the heavenly message, demonstrating faith and obedience. The **humility of the Incarnation** is profoundly emphasized by the "babe lying in a manger," contrasting sharply with typical expectations for a king's birth and foreshadowing Jesus' entire ministry of self-emptying servanthood [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation"). Furthermore, the choice of shepherds as the first witnesses underscores the **accessibility of salvation** to all people, regardless of social standing, a recurring theme in Luke that stresses God's compassion for the poor and outcast [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Jesus' Mission Statement"). Finally, the verse confirms the **reliability of God's word**, as the sign given by the angel was found to be precisely true.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **haste (Greek, _speúdō'_):** This word conveys more than mere speed; it implies eagerness, diligence, and zealous urgency. The shepherds did not casually stroll but moved with a purposeful and fervent desire to verify the divine message and witness the promised Savior. Their "haste" reflects a spiritual readiness and a profound desire to encounter the Christ child, demonstrating their immediate and believing response to God's word.
* **babe (Greek, _bréphos'_):** This term specifically refers to a newborn infant, emphasizing the tender, vulnerable, and fully human state of Jesus at His birth. Its use highlights the reality of the Incarnation—God truly becoming flesh and dwelling among humanity, experiencing the full spectrum of human infancy and dependence. It underscores the profound humility and accessibility of the Son of God.
* **manger (Greek, _phátnē'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to eat," this refers to a feeding trough for animals. The presence of the newborn King in such a humble and unconventional "crib" is deeply significant. It symbolizes the profound humility of God's entrance into the world, contrasting sharply with any worldly expectation of royalty. It also subtly foreshadows Jesus' later self-identification as the "Bread of Life" [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life"), providing spiritual nourishment in an unexpected, accessible way.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they came with haste":** This clause highlights the shepherds' immediate, obedient, and zealous response to the angelic message. Their journey was not delayed by doubt or indifference but propelled by faith and a sense of urgency to witness the fulfillment of God's promise. It sets a powerful example of how one should respond to divine revelation.
* **"and found Mary, and Joseph":** This indicates the shepherds' successful identification of the family. They located the specific individuals associated with the newborn Messiah, confirming the details provided by the angel. This finding validates the angelic sign and grounds the divine announcement in a tangible, observable reality.
* **"and the babe lying in a manger":** This final clause confirms the precise fulfillment of the angelic sign given in [Luke 2:12](/luke/2-12 "The Sign of the Manger"). The discovery of the vulnerable infant in such an unconventional and humble setting underscores the profound humility of the Incarnation. It emphasizes that the promised Savior, the King of Kings, entered the world not in a palace, but in the most unassuming of circumstances, making Him accessible to all, especially the marginalized like the shepherds themselves.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 2:16 employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the King of the Universe is found not in a royal cradle but "lying in a manger," a feeding trough for animals. This stark contrast emphasizes the unexpected nature of God's kingdom and the humility of His arrival. **Symbolism** is also at play, with the manger itself becoming a potent symbol of humility, accessibility, and perhaps even foreshadowing Jesus as the "Bread of Life" who would nourish humanity. The shepherds' "haste" can be seen as a form of **hyperbole** or intense emphasis, underscoring their profound eagerness and faith. Furthermore, the verse serves as a **fulfillment narrative**, demonstrating that God's promises and signs are always trustworthy and come to pass exactly as declared.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 2:16 stands as a pivotal moment, connecting the divine announcement of salvation with its tangible manifestation. The shepherds' eager response exemplifies true faith, which moves beyond mere intellectual assent to active seeking and obedience. Their finding of the Christ child in a manger profoundly underscores the Incarnation's humility, revealing a God who empties Himself to meet humanity in its lowliest state, thereby making salvation accessible to all, regardless of social standing or worldly prestige. This encounter validates God's faithfulness and prepares the shepherds to become the first human evangelists, spreading the good news they had received and witnessed.

* [Luke 2:12](/luke/2-12 "The Sign of the Manger")
* [Luke 2:20](/luke/2-20 "The Shepherds' Response and Glorification of God")
* [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Luke 2:16 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. The shepherds' immediate and zealous response to the angelic message serves as a powerful model for our own engagement with God's word. Do we approach divine revelation with similar "haste," eagerness, and a deep desire to seek and encounter Christ? The humility of the manger challenges our worldly expectations of power, prestige, and comfort, reminding us that God often works and reveals Himself in unexpected, simple, and even overlooked ways. Our task is to look beyond superficial appearances and recognize the divine presence in the ordinary, the vulnerable, and the marginalized. Like the shepherds, our encounter with the living Christ should compel us to worship, to share the good news with others, and to become witnesses of His transformative grace, embracing the humility and accessibility that define His saving work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the shepherds' "haste" challenge my own responsiveness to God's word and promptings in my life?**
* **What does the image of the King of Kings "lying in a manger" teach me about true humility and God's values versus the world's values?**
* **In what "unexpected" places or people might I be called to seek or serve Christ today, as the shepherds found Him in a manger?**
* **How does my encounter with Christ lead me to "make known abroad" the good news, as the shepherds did after their visit?**

### FAQ
**Why were shepherds chosen as the first human witnesses to Jesus' birth?**

Answer: The choice of shepherds is highly significant and reflects several theological truths. First, it highlights God's preference for the humble and marginalized, subverting societal norms that often overlooked or even disdained shepherds. This aligns with Luke's consistent theme of God's special care for the poor and outcast [Luke 6:20](/luke/6-20 "Blessings for the Poor"). Second, it emphasizes the universal accessibility of salvation; God's good news is not just for the elite or the religious establishment but for everyone. Third, it may subtly connect to the role of shepherds in Israel's history, particularly King David, who was a shepherd from Bethlehem, thus linking Jesus to His royal lineage. Finally, it underscores the unexpected ways in which God reveals His greatest truths, often choosing the weak and lowly to confound the wise [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "God Chooses the Foolish and Weak").

**What is the deeper significance of Jesus being found "lying in a manger"?**

Answer: The manger, a feeding trough for animals, carries profound symbolic weight. Most immediately, it signifies the profound **humility** of the Incarnation. The Creator of the universe entered His own creation in the most unassuming and vulnerable circumstances, deliberately eschewing worldly power and prestige. This foreshadows His entire life of self-emptying servanthood, culminating in His death on a cross [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "The Humility of Christ"). Secondly, it speaks to Jesus' **accessibility**. He was born in a place where anyone, even the lowest of society like the shepherds, could approach Him without ceremony or barriers. Finally, the manger, as a place of food, subtly foreshadows Jesus' identity as the **"Bread of Life"** [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life"), who would offer Himself as spiritual nourishment for the world, providing sustenance in a way that truly satisfies the deepest human hunger.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:16, with its depiction of the humble birth of Jesus in a manger, is a foundational moment in the Christ-centered narrative of redemption. The "babe lying in a manger" is not merely a historical detail but the very embodiment of God's profound love and condescension. This humble entrance foreshadows the entirety of Christ's earthly ministry, which was characterized by servanthood, identification with the poor and marginalized, and a radical rejection of worldly power. The King of Glory, who existed in the form of God [Philippians 2:6](/philippians/2-6 "Christ's Pre-existence"), willingly emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant and being born in human likeness [Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Christ's Humiliation"). His birth in a manger prefigures His ultimate act of self-giving on the cross, where He became poor that we might become rich [2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "Christ's Poverty for Our Riches"). This vulnerability and accessibility from birth to death signify that God, in Christ, fully entered into the human condition, experiencing its limitations and suffering, so that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest, able to sympathize with our weaknesses [Hebrews 2:14-18](/hebrews/2-14-18 "Jesus Shares in Humanity"). The manger, therefore, is the first tangible sign of the Word becoming flesh [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh"), initiating the redemptive journey that culminates in His atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection, making salvation available to all who, like the shepherds, come to Him with haste and faith.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 19:32

And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

Luke 2:12

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

Luke 2:7

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 22:13

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Luke 1:39

¶ And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.