Luke 2:9

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And {G2532}, lo {G2400}, the angel {G32} of the Lord {G2962} came upon {G2186} them {G846}, and {G2532} the glory {G1391} of the Lord {G2962} shone round about {G4034} them {G846}: and {G2532} they were sore {G3173} afraid {G5399}{G5401}.

when an angel of ADONAI appeared to them, and the Sh'khinah of ADONAI shone around them. They were terrified;

Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Commentary

Luke 2:9 captures a pivotal moment in the Christmas narrative, describing the dramatic appearance of a divine messenger to humble shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem. This verse sets the stage for the angelic announcement of Christ's birth, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of God's intervention in human history.

Context

This verse is part of the beloved Nativity story, immediately following the detail that the shepherds were "abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8). Their ordinary, nocturnal vigil was suddenly interrupted by a supernatural event. The Judean hills, typically quiet and dark, became the stage for a profound divine revelation, highlighting God's choice to first announce the Messiah's birth not to kings or religious leaders, but to simple, unassuming shepherds.

Key Themes

  • Divine Manifestation: The phrase "the glory of the Lord shone round about them" signifies a powerful and visible manifestation of God's radiant presence and majesty. This light was not merely physical but a spiritual revelation, akin to the cloud that filled the tabernacle in the Old Testament, indicating the very nearness of God. It underscores the holiness and overwhelming power of the divine breaking into the human realm.
  • Human Response to the Divine: Their reaction, "and they were sore afraid," is a natural and common human response to encountering the overwhelming power and holiness of God. This is not necessarily a fear of punishment, but a profound awe, dread, and reverence in the face of the transcendent. It highlights the vast difference between the finite and the infinite, and the shocking nature of such a direct encounter with the divine. This initial fear is often followed by a divine reassurance, as seen in the very next verse where the angel says, 'Fear not.'

Linguistic Insights

  • "Angel of the Lord": The Greek phrase angelos Kuriou, often translated as "angel of the Lord," is a significant title in the Bible, sometimes denoting a specific divine messenger, or in certain Old Testament contexts, even a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ). Here, it introduces the primary divine communicator.
  • "Glory of the Lord": The Greek doxa Kuriou refers to God's radiant presence, majesty, and visible manifestation of His power and holiness. This concept is deeply rooted in Old Testament theology, where the Shekinah glory often accompanied God's presence among His people.
  • "Sore afraid": The Greek ephobฤ“thฤ“san phobon megan literally means "they feared a great fear" or "they were greatly afraid," emphasizing the intensity and profundity of their terror.

Practical Application

Luke 2:9 reminds us that God often chooses unexpected people and places for His grandest revelations. The humble shepherds, unnoticed by the world, were the first to witness the divine glory surrounding the announcement of the Savior's birth. This highlights God's impartiality and His desire to reach all humanity, regardless of status or background. It also teaches us that while encounters with God's immense power and holiness can initially evoke fear, they ultimately lead to joy, peace, and understanding when we embrace His message. Just as the glory of the Lord broke through the darkness for the shepherds, Christ's birth brought a new light into a world steeped in spiritual darkness, offering hope and salvation to all who believe.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 60:1

    ยถ Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:18

    But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.

  • Acts 27:23

    For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

  • Revelation 18:1

    ยถ And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

  • 1 Kings 8:11

    So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

  • Acts 22:6

    And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

  • Acts 22:9

    And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
โ† Back