The Gospel of Luke: Chapter Two

Luke Chapter 2
2:1-14 – The Nativity of Jesus
2:15-20 – The Visit of the Shepherds
2:21 – The Circumcision of Jesus
2:22-38 – The Presentation in the Temple
2:39-40 – The Return to Nazareth
2:41-52 – The Finding in the Temple

Instructions
Answer as many questions as you can. Write down other questions you might have, or interesting things you learned and read that are not covered in the questions.

Questions for Interpretation

1. Verse 4 – What does the name Bethlehem mean? Where else do we find Bethlehem mentioned in the Bible?

Bethlehem means "House of Bread." Jesus is the Bread of Life.

We see Bethlehem elsewhere in the Bible in the following places:
When Jacob buried Rachel (Genesis 48:7)
Most of the Book of Ruth
It is the home of Jesse, David's father, and where David was anointed by Samuel.

2. Verse 7 – What are the swaddling clothes a prefigurement for? What is significant about laying Jesus in a manger?

The swaddling clothes are a prefigurement for the burial cloths of Jesus in the tomb.

A manger is a feeding trough for animals. Jesus one day will become food for us all in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Interesting note: Nativity sets get it all wrong when they put Jesus in a stable. Jesus was in fact born in a cave, which would have been an extension of the inn or lodging house. There is now a church built over this very spot!

3. Verses 8-14 – Why does St. Luke make note about it being nighttime when Jesus was born? See John 1:1-5.

Jesus was born at nighttime when most people were asleep. This darkness, however, is not just physical but spiritual. The world is in a state of sin, and it needs The Light to come and illuminate it. Jesus is The Light. Unfortunately, as pointed out in John's Gospel, many will not recognize The Light, and even sadder, more will reject The Light and choose the darkness of their sins.

4. Verse 8 – Why do you think God chose to reveal the birth of Jesus to shepherds first? Can you think of other Biblical shepherds?

This is just my opinion, but I think Jesus chose them because He is the Good Shepherd. Also, shepherds were lowly. They worked out in the fields, smelled badly, and not many people cared about them. Jesus chooses to reveal Himself not to the high and mighty of His time, but the lowly.

Other important Biblical shepherds include Abel, Jacob, Moses, and David!

5. Verses 21-24 – Read Leviticus 12:1-8. What does their sacrifice say of their financial situation?

According to Jewish law, in order for a woman to be made clean after birthing a child, she must offer a lamb as sacrifice, unless she could not afford one. If she could not afford a lamb, then two turtledoves or two pigeons were given as the sacrifice. Since Mary and Joseph did not sacrifice a lamb, it shows that they were of the poorer part of society. Jesus could have been born to a wealthy family and come into this world in glory. Instead, He humbled Himself and came to a poor family.

Interesting note: According to Numbers 18:16, the firstborn son belongs to God unless his parents pay a ransom price of five shekels. There is no mention of Joseph and Mary paying a ransom for Jesus, so St. Luke either omitted this detail, or Jesus always belonged to God, and this is foreshadowing of His eventual death.

6. Verse 34 – What does Simeon's prophecy of the "fall and rise of many in Israel" mean?

Notice that the fall comes before the rise. Many Jewish people will reject the New Covenant of Jesus, ultimately losing their chance at salvation. However, those who ultimately followed Jesus and accepted his gift of salvation will rise.

7. Verse 35 – What does "and you yourself a sword will pierce" mean?

The path of salvation is not an easy path. There will be times of suffering, but how we view and use this suffering can make it redemptive. No one understood this better than Mary, as she had to watch her only Son die on the Cross..

8. Verse 46a – What is significant about the amount of time it took before they found Jesus in the Temple?

The three days foreshadow the time between Jesus' death and Resurrection. Just as His Blessed Mother was worried and distraught over losing Him as a child, she will be even more distraught losing Him to death.

9. Verse 46b – What is significant about Jesus being "in the midst of the teachers?"

Jesus is not off to the side of the elders casually listening. He is in the middle of the great teachers; actively listening, fully participating, and teaching.

Questions for Reflection
1. Verse 11 – What do I have in mind when I acknowledge Jesus as Lord?
2. Verses 13-14 – How have I experienced God’s favor and peace?
3. Verses 15-16 – How quickly have I responded to God’s invitations and instructions?
4. Verses 17-19 – How often do I meditate on Scripture? On what God is doing for and through me?
5. Verses 21-23 – What is my idea of holiness? How am I striving to be holy?
6. Verse 24 – What example do Joseph and Mary set for me?
7. Verses 28-29 – What is the chief service God has assigned me?
8. Verse 30 – Where am I most in need of Jesus’ rescue?
9. Verses 31-33 – How have I grown in my understanding of Jesus? What about Him most amazes me?
10. Verses 49-51 – What about Jesus is most a mystery for me?
11. Verse 51a – Have I ever adjusted my behavior when I realized the grief I was causing others? What changes did I make?
12. Verse 51b – What do I imagine Mary’s thoughts and ponderings to be at this point in Jesus’ life?

The reflection questions were taken from Bringing the Gospel of Luke to Life by George Martin and used with permission from Our Sunday Visitor. For commentary and more reflection questions, purchase the book. It's great!