Luke 2 10

Luke 2:10 kjv

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:10 nkjv

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

Luke 2:10 niv

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Luke 2:10 esv

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Luke 2:10 nlt

but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 10 Meaning

The angel proclaims an extraordinary announcement of "good news" (gospel) to the shepherds. This news is fundamentally transformative, bringing about a profound and widespread "great joy." Crucially, this joy is not exclusive to a select group but is intended for "all people," signifying its universal scope and impact, relating to the arrival of the promised Deliverer.

Luke 2 10 Context

Luke chapter 2 begins by establishing the historical setting under Caesar Augustus, noting a census that required everyone to return to their ancestral towns, bringing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Against this backdrop of Roman imperial decree, Jesus is born in humble circumstances, laid in a manger. The immediate context of verse 10 finds shepherds, considered low on the social ladder and ceremonially unclean by some, tending their flocks by night in the fields near Bethlehem. An angel of the Lord suddenly appears to them, filling the night with divine light, striking terror into their hearts. Verse 10 is the angel's very first declaration, a profound pronouncement designed to alleviate their fear and introduce the monumental news of Christ's birth. It sets the stage for the specific details of Jesus' identity and role that follow in verse 11 and beyond, leading to the angelic chorus of praise. This message, delivered first to the shepherds, bypasses the religious and political elite, highlighting God's subversive choice to reveal His Son to the marginalized.

Luke 2 10 Word analysis

• And the angel: (kai ho angelos)
  • kai: A simple conjunction "and," connecting the angelic appearance (v. 9) to this direct address.
  • angelos: (ἄγγελος) Greek for "messenger." This term implies an authorized delegate or envoy who conveys a message, in this case, from God. Angels frequently appear in the Bible as divine messengers, notably in announcements of miraculous births (e.g., John the Baptist, Jesus).
• said to them, "Fear not: (eipen autois, me phobeisthe)
  • eipen: (εἶπεν) Aorist active indicative of lego, "to say." Direct, authoritative speech.
  • autois: "to them" - directly to the shepherds.
  • me phobeisthe: (μὴ φοβεῖσθε) "Do not fear," "stop being afraid." This is a common divine or angelic injunction upon their appearance throughout Scripture when meeting mortals (e.g., Gen 15:1; Isa 41:10; Dan 10:12; Matt 1:20; Lk 1:13; Rev 1:17). The sudden appearance of a divine messenger often instills terror, and this command seeks to allay that initial, natural human reaction. It prepares them to receive the message.
• for behold, (gar idou)
  • gar: "for" or "because," introduces the reason why they should not fear.
  • idou: (ἰδοὺ) "behold!" "Look!" An interjection drawing immediate attention to what follows, emphasizing its importance and calling for their focused reception. It signals a divine revelation.
• I bring you good news (euangelizomai humin)
  • euangelizomai: (εὐαγγελίζομαι) "I evangelize," "I announce good news," "I proclaim good tidings." This verb is the root of the English word "evangelize" or "gospel" (euangelion - good message). It implies the declaration of a beneficial, joyful, and significant message, specifically related to salvation in the New Testament. It evokes Isaiah's prophecy of a messenger bringing good news (Isa 52:7).
  • humin: "to you" (plural), referring specifically to the shepherds, yet implying an intended dissemination beyond them.
• of great joy (charan megalēn)
  • chara: (χαρὰν) "joy," "delight." More than mere happiness, biblical joy (chara) often signifies a deep, spiritual contentment and exultation, often originating from God's presence or action (Psa 16:11).
  • megalēn: (μεγάλην) "great," "large," "mighty." Emphasizes the immense, profound, and overarching nature of this joy – it is not trivial or fleeting. It contrasts with their prior fear.
• which will be (hetis estai)
  • hetis estai: Points to the universality and certainty of this joy's reach and impact. It will definitively happen and extend widely.
• to all people." (panti tō laō)
  • panti: (παντὶ) "to all," "to every." Absolute universality, encompassing everyone without exception. This stands in contrast to common Jewish expectations that the Messiah would be exclusively for Israel.
  • tō laō: (τῷ λαῷ) "the people," "the nation." While laos often referred specifically to the people of Israel (the chosen people of God), in the context of Luke and the broader New Testament, "all people" frequently expands to include Gentiles, thus embracing all humanity (cf. Lk 3:6, Isa 40:5). This is a crucial universalizing aspect of the gospel message from its very announcement.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not'": Establishes divine communication and immediate pastoral care. Angels appear often as harbingers of divine intervention, and their first message is frequently reassurance, preparing recipients for momentous news by dispelling natural terror (Isa 41:10, Matt 1:20, Rev 1:17).
• "for behold, I bring you good news": The gar idou (for behold) signifies the unparalleled importance of the message. The phrase euangelizomai humin (I bring you good news) carries significant theological weight, marking the angelic proclamation as the "gospel" or "good news" itself, directly connected to God's redemptive plan (Rom 10:15). This "good news" sets the entire redemptive narrative of the New Testament in motion.
• "of great joy": The chara megalē (great joy) highlights the deep, spiritual, and expansive nature of the emotional response appropriate to the news. It's a joy stemming from divine action, exceeding any worldly happiness (John 15:11, Psa 16:11).
• "which will be to all people": Panti tō laō (to all people) is the universal proclamation. This counters any exclusive interpretation of the Messiah's coming (as many contemporary Jewish expectations limited the Messiah to Israel). From its very announcement, the gospel is for Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female (Gal 3:28, Col 3:11). It hints at the later commission to preach the gospel to all nations (Matt 28:19). This polemically subverts human distinctions and societal hierarchies, delivering universal hope to everyone, from humble shepherds to powerful kings.

Luke 2 10 Bonus section

• The announcement being made to shepherds is highly significant. They were marginalized in society, often viewed with suspicion or as ritually unclean. God's choice to first reveal the Savior's birth to these humble individuals underscores the humble nature of the King being born and demonstrates that God's favor is not predicated on social status, wealth, or religious standing. This act immediately challenged contemporary societal norms and religious elitism.
• The angel's message stands in stark contrast to the news conveyed by the Roman emperor in verse 1 (the census decree), which implied subjugation and taxation. The angel's "good news" brings freedom, joy, and eternal salvation, highlighting a kingdom not of this world, yet powerfully impacting it.
• The word "good news" (euangelizomai) here finds its Old Testament parallel in passages like Isaiah 52:7, where a messenger brings tidings of peace and salvation to Zion. The angel is fulfilling this prophetic role by bringing the ultimate "good news" in the person of the Messiah.

Luke 2 10 Commentary

Luke 2:10 is the core summary statement of the angelic message. It frames the birth of Christ not as a localized event, but as a universal revelation of immense significance. The angelic "Fear not" directly addresses the terror induced by the divine presence, but implicitly reassures humanity concerning the pervasive fear caused by sin, death, and separation from God. The phrase "good news of great joy" encapsulates the entire message of salvation and liberation from its spiritual implications. This joy is profound and lasting, contrasting sharply with transient worldly happiness, as it is rooted in God's redemptive act. Most profoundly, the destination "to all people" immediately signals the gospel's universal reach, shattering any exclusive claims. The good news of Jesus' birth transcends ethnic, social, or geographical boundaries, establishing that God's salvation is for every individual and all nations. It proclaims the dawn of a new era where divine peace and favor are offered to humanity at large.