1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
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1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
There was a world-wide census in the days of Caesar Augustus, while Cyrenius was governor of Syria. [1]
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Everyone had to go to their home city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
So Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth in Galilee [2]
to Bethlehem in Judea, since he was descended from David.
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Mary was pregnant at the time, and gave birth to her firstborn son while they were in Bethlehem.
7And 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.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, since there was no room at the inn. [3]
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
An angel appeared to nearby shepherds, saying, [4]
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Don't be afraid.
I have good news for you.
A baby was born today in Bethlehem, who is Christ the Lord.
You'll find him wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Suddenly a large group of heavenly beings appeared and said,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Glory to God in the highest,
peace on earth, good will toward men. [5]
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.
The shepherds said to each other,
Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
They went there and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
After they saw it, they told everyone about it.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
And everyone who heard it, wondered about it.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
But Mary thought about all these things in her heart.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
When Jesus was eight days old, he was circumcised [6] and named Jesus.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
When Mary's days of purification were over, [7]
they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to God.
23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Because it's written,
Every male that comes out of a womb is holy to God. [8]
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
They sacrificed two doves, according to God's law.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
There was a just man in Jerusalem named Simeon.
The Holy Ghost was upon him. [9]
26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
The Holy Ghost told him he wouldn't die before seeing God's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
When he saw Jesus in the temple, he took him in his arms and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Now you can let me die in peace.
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Because I've seen your salvation.
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
A light to the Gentiles, and glory to your people in Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Joseph and his mother [10] wondered about the things that were said about Jesus.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary,
This child will cause the fall and rise of many in Israel.
He'll be a sign that people speak against.
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
And a sword will pierce your soul.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
There was a prophetess named Anna, who was married for seven years.
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
She was an 84-year-old widow, who served God night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
When she saw Jesus, she thanked God.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
When they finished doing these things, they returned to their home in Nazareth. [11]
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Each year at passover, Jesus's parents went to Jerusalem.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
On one of these trips, when Jesus was twelve years old,
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
they discovered that he was missing as they returned home.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
They checked with their family and friends,
but Jesus wasn't with them.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
So they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
After three days, they found him in the temple talking to the doctors and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Everyone was amazed at what he said.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
When his parents saw him, his mother said,
Why did you do this to us?
Your father and I were worried and have been looking for you.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Jesus said,
Why were you looking for me?
Didn't you know I'd be doing my Father's business? [12]
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
They didn't know what he was talking about.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Jesus returned with them to Nazareth, and he obeyed them.
But his mother never forgot what had happened.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Jesus became increased in wisdom and favor with God and people. [13]
Quirinius (Cyrenius) became governer of Syria in 6 CE, nine years after king Herod's death. And yet according to Matthew, Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great, who died in 4 BCE.
Wikipedia: Quirinius, Herod the Great
If the words in verses 8-14 sounds familiar to you, it's probably because you watched Charlie Brown Christmas when you were a kid.
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Even Mary had to be "purified" after giving birth to Jesus. Was she defiled by giving birth to the Son of God?
Males are holy to God, not females.
Simeon was not only a just man, he was also filled with the Holy Ghost.
His little speech in verses 29-32 is called the Nunc Dimittis in the liturgy of the Catholic Church.
Many manuscripts say "his father and his mother," but scribes later changed this to "Joseph and his mother" to avoid calling Joseph Jesus' father. (Bart D. Ehrman, Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, (2005), p.158)
When Jesus's parents begin the long trip back to Nazareth, the twelve year old Jesus stays behind, without asking their permission. Mary and Joseph search for him for three days and when they finally find him, Jesus doesn't apologize. Rather, he blames them for not knowing that he was doing his father's business.
How could an omniscient being "increase in wisdom?"
And how could God increase "in favour with God?"