Luke 2 7

Luke 2:7 kjv

And 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.

Luke 2:7 nkjv

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 niv

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:7 esv

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 nlt

She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 7 Meaning

Luke 2:7 recounts the humble and unconventional birth of Jesus. It describes Mary giving birth to her firstborn Son, wrapping Him in common cloths, and laying Him in a feeding trough, because there was no suitable space available for them in the designated lodging place. This verse highlights the unadorned and unpretentious arrival of the Messiah, setting a precedent for His ministry of humility, accessibility, and identification with the marginalized.

Luke 2 7 Context

Luke chapter 2 begins by setting the historical stage for Jesus' birth, noting the decree from Caesar Augustus for a census across the Roman world. This decree necessitated Joseph and Mary traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Joseph's ancestral city. While there, Mary's full term arrived. Verse 7 specifically details the circumstances of His birth: the practical act of child delivery, the immediate care given to the infant, and the lack of proper, private lodging. The census likely led to significant overcrowding in Bethlehem, especially with returning descendants of David. This overcrowding resulted in no space in the common lodging place (likely a guest room in a private residence, not a commercial inn as commonly imagined), forcing the Holy Family to seek shelter in an area typically housing animals, thus placing the newborn in a feeding trough. This humble beginning starkly contrasts with worldly expectations of a king or Messiah, immediately underscoring God’s unconventional method for the incarnation of His Son.

Luke 2 7 Word analysis

• And she brought forth her firstborn Son,
  • "she brought forth": Simple, direct action indicating Mary's physical act of giving birth, emphasizing the genuine human birth of Jesus.
  • "her firstborn Son": Greek: πρωτότοκος (prototokos). This term identifies Jesus as Mary's first child. It legally designates Him as the rightful heir to the promises made to David, reinforcing His lineage. In biblical context, "firstborn" often carried unique rights, blessings, and responsibilities, establishing preeminence and special status, whether applied to human heirs or to Christ's spiritual preeminence (e.g., Col 1:15-18 as the firstborn of all creation, and Rom 8:29 as the firstborn among many brethren). This does not definitively imply Mary had other children subsequently.
• and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths,
  • "wrapped Him in swaddling cloths": Greek: σπαργανόω (sparganoō). This was a universal ancient practice for newborns. It involved tightly wrapping a baby in strips of cloth to provide warmth, security, and promote limb straightness. Luke highlights this detail as it was a specific sign for the shepherds (Lk 2:12), marking the child's true humanity and confirming the angel's message. Far from a sign of poverty, it signified a legitimate, carefully attended birth.
• and laid Him in a manger,
  • "laid Him": An intentional action, not merely setting down, suggesting careful placement despite the crude surroundings.
  • "in a manger": Greek: φάτνη (phatnē). A feeding trough for livestock. This detail is highly symbolic and profoundly humble. It indicates that the birth occurred in an area typically reserved for animals (like a stable or cave adjacent to a house). It represents the utter humility of the King of Kings, His coming into the world without pomp or earthly honor. It also foreshadows His identity as the "Bread of Life" (Jn 6), providing spiritual sustenance in an unexpected manner. This highlights a deliberate identification with the lowliest, fulfilling ancient prophecies not through earthly power but through divine self-abasement.
• because there was no room for them in the inn.
  • "no room for them": Points to a practical reality of overcrowding due to the census, leading to an immediate logistical challenge for Joseph and Mary. It implies lack of suitable lodging.
  • "in the inn": Greek: κατάλυμα (katalyma). This word can refer to a commercial inn or, more likely in this context given the social customs of the time, a "guest room" in a private home. In typical ancient Jewish homes, a guest room would be on an upper level. The overcrowding from the census, especially family members returning to ancestral homes, likely meant these guest rooms were already filled. This wasn't necessarily a cruel rejection, but an inability to accommodate. Regardless, it sets a recurring theme of Jesus being misunderstood and not received by "His own" (Jn 1:11) throughout His ministry, from birth onward.

Luke 2 7 Bonus section

The narrative of Jesus' birth in the "manger" emphasizes not just poverty, but accessibility. Unlike a distant king born in a fortress or palace, the Messiah's first "crib" was a communal feeding trough, open to all, even animals and humble shepherds. This physical space, far from a sign of disgrace, underscores the central theological truth that Christ came for all, not just the elite, and could be approached by the common person. The details in Luke 2:7 resonate with Old Testament themes where God often chooses the least, the humble, and the unexpected to accomplish His greatest purposes. The "no room" phrase introduces a poignant truth: though He was the Creator, the world He made initially had no fitting place for Him.

Luke 2 7 Commentary

Luke 2:7 concisely presents the paradoxical majesty of the Christ's birth amidst utter humility. Mary's giving birth to "her firstborn Son" fulfills prophetic and theological expectations, emphasizing Jesus' unique and preeminent status while affirming His genuine human descent. The acts of "wrapping Him in swaddling cloths" signify a real human birth, a common yet intentional act of parental care, and served as the divinely appointed sign for the shepherds. However, the critical detail of His being "laid... in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" defines the initial reception of the Creator into His own creation. It powerfully conveys a profound humility, a lack of recognition, and a coming that utterly defied worldly expectations of a king's advent. This moment perfectly encapsulates the Incarnation's scandal to worldly power and prestige, establishing from His very first moments a paradigm of servanthood, poverty of spirit, and identification with the marginalized, preparing the way for His ministry and eventual crucifixion as the Suffering Servant.