Luke 2 9

Luke 2:9 kjv

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.

Luke 2:9 nkjv

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Luke 2:9 niv

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Luke 2:9 esv

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

Luke 2:9 nlt

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified,

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 9 Meaning

Luke 2:9 vividly describes the sudden appearance of a single angelic messenger accompanied by the manifest presence of God's glory before a group of shepherds. This divine intrusion, marked by brilliant light, filled the humble onlookers with profound fear and awe, preparing them for a supernatural message. It signals the breaking into human history of an extraordinary divine event.

Luke 2 9 Context

Luke chapter 2 begins by setting the historical stage for Jesus' birth, mentioning the decree from Caesar Augustus for a worldwide registration. This decree providentially leads Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, fulfilling Micah 5:2. Against the backdrop of Roman political power and a world under imperial census, God orchestrates the humble birth of His Son. While the elite were preoccupied with imperial decrees, the Messiah's arrival was announced not to religious leaders or kings, but to shepherds—a marginalized and ritually humble group. Verse 9 describes the startling, supernatural commencement of this divine revelation. It directly precedes the angel's proclamation of good news, establishing the heavenly, authoritative origin of the message concerning the Savior's birth. This initial scene, enveloped in the glory of God, served to authenticate the incredible news these ordinary men were about to receive. It marks a significant shift from the Old Testament prophecies to their glorious fulfillment.

Luke 2 9 Word analysis

• And, lo: Greek: kai idou (καὶ ἰδοὺ). "And behold" or "and look!" This is an emphatic interjection common in Luke and the Septuagint, signaling a sudden, unexpected, and divinely significant event that demands immediate attention. It acts as a dramatic literary device to heighten the narrative.
• the angel of the Lord: Greek: angelos Kyriou (ἄγγελος Κυρίου). "Angel" (ἄγγελος) means messenger. "Of the Lord" (Κυρίου) indicates that this is not merely an angelic being, but one specifically dispatched by God, bearing His authority and message. This phrase often refers to a distinct, highly significant divine messenger, sometimes even considered a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ in the Old Testament context (though here in the New Testament, it typically means a created angel serving God).
• came upon them: Greek: epepesen autois (ἐπέπεσεν αὐτοῖς). Literally, "fell upon them." This verb suggests a sudden, perhaps forceful or immediate appearance. It emphasizes the unexpected nature of the angel's arrival, appearing suddenly in their immediate vicinity, rather than them having to seek out the divine.
• and the glory of the Lord: Greek: kai doxa Kyriou (καὶ δόξα Κυρίου). The "glory of the Lord" (doxa Kyriou) is the visible, tangible manifestation of God's presence. In the Old Testament, this was often associated with a bright cloud, fire, or overwhelming light, like the Shekinah glory that filled the tabernacle and temple. Here, it is manifest as brilliant radiance, an indication of God Himself drawing near.
• shone round about them: Greek: perielampsen autous (περιέλαμψεν αὐτούς). The light "shone around them" or "enveloped them." It implies a pervasive, surrounding brightness that permeated their immediate environment, signifying the full immersion in the divine presence. This was not a localized beam, but an encompassing radiance.
• and they were sore afraid: Greek: kai ephobēthēsan phobon megan (καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν). This is a strong idiomatic expression: "they feared a great fear" or "they were greatly afraid." The human response to encountering the Holy is often profound awe mingled with terror. It’s not simply being startled, but being overwhelmed by the presence of the infinite and holy God. This is a common biblical reaction to divine or angelic visitations, recognizing human finitude and sinfulness in contrast to divine holiness.

Luke 2 9 Bonus section

• The timing of the angelic appearance "by night" highlights the contrast between the world's darkness (spiritual and literal) and the divine light of God's glory that pierces through it. It foreshadows Jesus, the light of the world, coming into darkness.
• The fact that God chose shepherds, a low and often marginalized profession in ancient society (sometimes seen as unclean due to constant exposure to animals), as the first witnesses to His Son's birth underscores God's valuing of the humble and overlooked, contrary to worldly expectations of pomp and ceremony among the elite. This echoes God's preference throughout the Bible to work through the unexpected and lowly.
• The overwhelming fear experienced by the shepherds emphasizes the gravity and magnitude of the event. It was a terrifying yet holy experience, confirming the genuine supernatural nature of the visitation before any words were even spoken, ensuring the shepherds recognized the divine authority of the subsequent message.

Luke 2 9 Commentary

Luke 2:9 provides the stunning overture to the angelic announcement of Christ's birth. It's not just a casual encounter; it's a dramatic irruption of the divine into the mundane world of shepherds guarding their flocks by night. The kai idou ("and, lo") immediately grabs attention, indicating something truly extraordinary is unfolding. The "angel of the Lord," bearing God's direct authority, appears not merely as a spectral vision but with a tangible manifestation of God's presence, "the glory of the Lord." This doxa Kyriou is the Old Testament Shekinah, a physical, radiant manifestation of God Himself. Its brilliance "shone round about them," completely enveloping the shepherds in holy light, transforming their ordinary surroundings into sacred ground. Their reaction of being "sore afraid" is perfectly natural; the encounter with raw, unadulterated holiness exposes human frailty and inherent distance from the divine. This fear sets the stage for the crucial angelic message, "Fear not," which underscores that this divine visitation, despite its terrifying splendor, brings good tidings, not condemnation. It signifies that the sacred is breaking into the ordinary, making the lowest of society—the shepherds—the first recipients of the greatest news in history.