Luke 2:18

KJV

And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} all {G3956} they that heard {G191} it wondered {G2296} at {G4012} those things which {G3588} were told {G2980} them {G4314}{G846} by {G5259} the shepherds {G4166}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and al who heard were amazed by what the shepherds said to them.

Berean Standard Bible

And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

American Standard Version

And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:18 captures the immediate and profound reaction of the people in Bethlehem to the extraordinary news of Jesus' birth, as conveyed by the humble shepherds. Having witnessed the angelic announcement and the infant Messiah, the shepherds became the first evangelists, sharing their incredible experience. The verse highlights the astonishment and awe that gripped those who heard this divine revelation, underscoring the universal significance of Christ's arrival and the unexpected manner of its public disclosure.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 2:18 serves as the direct consequence of the shepherds' obedience to the angelic command and their subsequent visit to the manger. [Luke 2:15-17](/luke/2-15-17 "Luke 2:15-17 - The Shepherds' Visit and Testimony") describes their journey to Bethlehem, their discovery of Mary, Joseph, and the baby, and their immediate action of making known the word which was told them concerning this child. This verse, therefore, marks the initial ripple effect of the Incarnation, demonstrating how the divine message, once received, begins to spread and elicit a response. It sets the stage for Mary's contemplative response in [Luke 2:19](/luke/2-19 "Luke 2:19 - Mary Ponders These Things"), contrasting the public wonder with her private pondering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, shepherds were often marginalized, considered a low-status occupation, sometimes even ritually unclean due to their constant contact with animals and their nomadic lifestyle. Their testimony, therefore, would not typically carry significant social weight. However, God chose these humble individuals to be the first human witnesses and evangelists of the Messiah's birth, subverting societal expectations. Bethlehem, a small town, was likely abuzz with activity due to the Roman census (as mentioned in [Luke 2:1-3](/luke/2-1-3 "Luke 2:1-3 - The Roman Census")). The news of a newborn Messiah, especially one heralded by angels and attested to by shepherds, would have been utterly astonishing in this setting, challenging preconceived notions of how the long-awaited King would appear.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. The immediate theme is **Wonder and Amazement**, as the people's reaction of "wondered" (Greek: _thaumázō_) signifies a deep sense of awe and astonishment at something truly extraordinary and divine, far beyond mere curiosity. It also highlights the **Power of Testimony**, demonstrating how God uses ordinary, even marginalized, individuals like the shepherds to convey His extraordinary truth. Their firsthand account, though from humble sources, stirred profound wonder. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that the news of the Messiah's arrival was not confined to a select few but was openly declared, first by angels ([Luke 2:9-14](/luke/2-9-14 "Luke 2:9-14 - The Angelic Announcement")) and then by humble men, inviting a universal response.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō_):** This primary verb signifies not just the physical act of hearing, but often implies to give attention, to understand, or to perceive. In this context, it suggests that those who heard the shepherds' account truly took in the information, leading to their subsequent reaction of wonder. It implies a reception of the message that went beyond mere auditory sensation.
* **wondered (Greek, _thaumázō_):** Derived from _thaûma_ (a wonder, marvel), this verb denotes a profound sense of astonishment, awe, or marvel. It is a reaction to something extraordinary, unexpected, or divine, often implying a mixture of surprise, admiration, and sometimes even fear. It's a stronger emotion than simple curiosity, indicating that the news deeply impacted those who heard it.
* **told (Greek, _laléō_):** This verb means to talk, utter words, or speak. While similar to _légō_ (to say, speak), _laléō_ often emphasizes the act of speaking itself, the articulation of words, rather than the content of the message. Here, it highlights the shepherds' active proclamation and verbal dissemination of the incredible events they had witnessed, emphasizing their role as vocal messengers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all they that heard [it]":** This phrase emphasizes the widespread nature of the shepherds' testimony. It wasn't just a few individuals, but "all" who came into contact with their story. The "it" refers to the entire narrative the shepherds shared: the angelic announcement, the heavenly host, and their discovery of the baby in the manger. This highlights the immediate public impact of the divine revelation.
* **"wondered at those things":** This clause describes the profound emotional and intellectual response of the listeners. The word "wondered" (Greek: _thaumázō_) conveys a deep sense of awe, astonishment, and marvel, indicating that the news was perceived as truly extraordinary and beyond human expectation. Their reaction was fitting for the revelation of God's Son becoming flesh in such humble circumstances.
* **"which were told them by the shepherds":** This final clause identifies the source of the astonishing news. It underscores the unexpected nature of God's chosen messengers. That such cosmic news was delivered not by religious elites or powerful figures, but by simple, often overlooked shepherds, adds to the wonder and highlights God's preference for using the humble to accomplish His grand purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's narrative in this verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Narrative Irony** is evident in the contrast between the cosmic significance of the event (the birth of the Messiah) and the humble, even marginalized, status of its first human heralds—the shepherds. This irony underscores God's ways, which often confound human expectations. **Emphasis** is placed on the reaction of "wonder," highlighting the extraordinary nature of the events and inviting the reader to share in that awe. The use of "all they that heard" also employs **Hyperbole** or **Generalization** to convey the widespread impact of the shepherds' testimony, suggesting a collective astonishment rather than a limited response, thereby magnifying the event's significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The wonder expressed by those who heard the shepherds' testimony is a profound theological statement. It signifies humanity's innate capacity to recognize and respond to divine intervention, even when it manifests in unexpected ways. This wonder is not merely intellectual curiosity but a deep, heart-level recognition of God's activity in the world. It foreshadows the appropriate response to the Gospel message throughout history: a sense of awe at God's redemptive plan, which culminates in Christ. The fact that the news came through humble shepherds also emphasizes God's consistent pattern of choosing the weak and lowly to confound the wise and powerful, ensuring that the glory belongs solely to Him. This initial public astonishment sets a precedent for the ongoing proclamation of Christ, which continues to evoke wonder and calls for a response of faith.

* [Luke 1:63](/luke/1-63 "Luke 1:63 - Zechariah's Wonder")
* [Acts 2:7](/acts/2-7 "Acts 2:7 - Pentecost Wonder")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Lowly")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 2:18 serves as a timeless invitation for us to examine our own hearts and the depth of our response to the good news of Jesus Christ. Do we approach the story of the Incarnation, the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior, with the same sense of wonder and awe that gripped those first hearers? In a world often desensitized to the miraculous, this verse calls us back to a posture of profound amazement at God's incredible love and His redemptive plan. Like the shepherds, we are called to be witnesses, to share the transformative truth of Christ. Our personal testimony, born of genuine encounter and expressed with humble conviction, still possesses the power to inspire wonder and draw others into the marvelous light of the Gospel. May our lives reflect the ongoing wonder of God's work, compelling us to share His story with a world in need of His astonishing grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the "wonder" of the people in Luke 2:18 reveal about the nature of God's revelation?**
* **How does the humble status of the shepherds challenge our expectations about who God uses to spread His message?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a deeper sense of wonder and awe in our own faith journey today?**
* **How might our personal testimony, like that of the shepherds, inspire wonder in others about Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ

**Who are "all they that heard it" in Luke 2:18?**

Answer: "All they that heard it" refers to the people in Bethlehem who encountered the shepherds after their visit to the manger. This likely included Mary and Joseph themselves, as well as other residents of Bethlehem—perhaps those gathered around the stable, or simply those the shepherds met as they went about the town. Given the context of the Roman census, Bethlehem would have been more populated than usual, providing a wider audience for the shepherds' astonishing testimony. The phrase emphasizes the widespread, public nature of the initial reaction to the news of Jesus' birth.

**Why did they "wonder" at what the shepherds told them?**

Answer: Their "wonder" (Greek: _thaumázō_) was a profound reaction of astonishment and awe because the shepherds' account was truly extraordinary and defied normal expectations. They heard of angelic visitations, a heavenly choir, and the birth of a Savior—the Messiah—in the humble circumstances of a manger, as attested by simple shepherds. This combination of divine revelation and humble manifestation was deeply counter-cultural and miraculous, prompting a response of deep marvel and perhaps even a sense of the sacred. It was not merely curiosity, but a recognition of something truly divine and unexpected.

**What is the significance of the shepherds being the ones to tell this news?**

Answer: The significance of the shepherds as the first evangelists is profound. In Jewish society, shepherds were often marginalized, considered low-status, and sometimes even ritually impure. Yet, God chose these humble, overlooked individuals to be the first human recipients of the angelic announcement and the first to proclaim the news of the Messiah's birth. This choice highlights God's pattern of using the weak and lowly to accomplish His great purposes, confounding human wisdom and social hierarchies (as seen in [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Lowly")). It underscores that God's kingdom is not built on human power or prestige, but on divine grace and unexpected revelation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The wonder evoked in Bethlehem by the shepherds' testimony about the infant Jesus foreshadows the even greater and more profound wonder that Jesus Himself would inspire throughout His ministry, and ultimately, through His death and resurrection. The initial astonishment at a baby in a manger, heralded by angels and shepherds, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the awe-inspiring reality that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The public's reaction in [Luke 2:18](/luke/2-18 "Luke 2:18 - The People Wonder") is a precursor to the conviction and amazement that would grip hearts at Pentecost when Peter proclaimed the resurrected Christ ([Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - Conviction at Pentecost")). The shepherds, as the first to "tell" (Greek: _laléō_) the good news, prefigure the universal call to proclaim Christ, whose life, miracles, teachings, and especially His triumph over sin and death, compel a response of faith and worship. The wonder at His birth is but the beginning of the journey into the glorious mystery of Christ, the true Shepherd ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")), whose voice still calls all who hear to believe and marvel at His saving grace ([Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Romans 10:17 - Faith Comes by Hearing")).

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 5:9

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

Luke 5:10

And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luke 2:47

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Luke 2:33

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Luke 4:36

And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word [is] this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

Luke 1:65

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

Luke 1:66

And all they that heard [them] laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.