The Christian Church the Early Years: From the Infancy of John the Baptist to the Death of John

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH The Early Years

B.C. 5 Or 4-A.D. 100

From The Infancy of John the Baptist

to the Death of John

Richard Irwin Oxley

Copyright © 2009 by Richard Irwin Oxley.

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Contents

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION TO THE APOSTOLIC AGE

CHAPTER 1

Life Of Christ Prior to His Ministry

Date: B.C. 5 or 4

The History Of The Infancy Of John The Baptist And Christ:

The appearance of the angel of the Lord to Zacharias in the temple announcing the birth of John The Baptist, Luke 1:5-25.

The Annunciation Of The Birth Of Christ To The Virgin Mary, Luke 1:26-38.

The Visit Of The Virgin Mary To Elizabeth; The Salutation

Of Elizabeth, Luke 1:39-45.

The Magnificat (The Song) of the Virgin Mary, Luke 1:46-56.

The Birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:57-66.

The Benedictus (Benediction) of Zacharias, Luke 1:67-80.

The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, Luke 2:1-7.

The Appearance of the Angels to the Shepherds Of Bethlehem, And the Gloria In Excelsis, (Doxology) Luke 2:8-20.

The Circumcision Of Jesus, And His Presentation In The Temple, Luke 2:21-40

Events In Palestine:

Herod I. (Herod the Great) Biography Achievements and

His Death (B.C. 4).

Archelaus Deposed and Judea made a Roman Province (A.D. 6)

Events In The Roman Empire:

Augustus Emperor of Rome, (B.C. 27-A.D. 14).

Date: A.D. 8

Christ Visits The Temple At Twelve Years Of Age.

Luke 2:41-52.

Events In Palestine:

Cyrenius (Quirinius), Governor of Syria (for the second time). The registration, or taxing. Acts 5:37. Revolt of Judas of Galilee. Coponius Procurator of Judaea.

Succession of Priests and procurators: A.D. 9-A.D. 26

Events In The Roman Empire:

Tiberius becomes colleague of Augustus (A.D. 12)

Augustus dies. Tiberius Sole becomes Emperor (A.D. 14-37)

CHAPTER 2

Jesus’ Baptism and Ministry In Galilee.

Date: A.D. 27-30

Jesus’ Baptism Luke 3:21; Matthew 3:13

Jesus’ Public Ministry in Galilee:

The Temptation of Jesus, Luke 4:1-13; Matthew 4:1-11;

Mark 1:12, 13

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth, Luke 4:14-30, Matthew 4:12-17

Jesus Drives Out An Evil Spirit; Jesus heals Mary; Luke 4:31-44; Matthew 8:14-16; Mark 1: 30-31

The Miraculous Drawing in of Fish; Luke 5:4-11; John 21:6

The Raising Of The Widow’s Son At Nain; Luke 7:11-18.

The Pardoning Of The Sinful Woman; Luke 7:36-50;

Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8

The Support Of Christ By Devout Women Who Are Named; Luke 8:2, 3.

Jesus Prepares the Twelve Disciples; Luke 9:1-50;

Matthew 10:1-42; Mark 3:14-19

The Commission Christ Gave To His Twelve Apostles;

Luke 9:1-6; Matthew 10:1; Mark 3:14-19

The Names Of The Persons To Whom This Commission Was Given; Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16;

The Instructions That Were Given Them, Which Are Very Full And Particular; Matthew 10:5-42; Luke 9:43-45

Herod’s Terror At The Growing Greatness Of Our Lord Jesus; Luke 9:7-9.

Feeding Five Thousand Men With Five Loaves And Two Fishes; Luke 9:10-17; Matthew 14:14-21; Mark 6:30-44

His Discourse With His Disciples Concerning Himself, His Sufferings For Them, And Theirs For Him; Luke 9:18-27.

Christ’s Transfiguration; Luke 9:28-36; Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8

The Cure Of A Lunatic Child; Luke 9:37-42.

Which Of His Disciples Is The Greatest? Luke 9:43-50;

Matthew 18:2-5; Mark 9:33-38

CHAPTER 3

Jesus’ Public Ministry From Galilee to Jerusalem

Samaritans Opposition; Luke 9:51-56.

The Cost Of Following Jesus; Luke 9:57-62; Matthew 8:20-22

The Mission And Instruction Of The Seventy; Luke 10:1-16.

At The House Of Martha And Mary; Luke 10:38-42.

The Woman Who Exclaimed: Blessed Is The Woman That Gave You Birth, Luke 11:27:28

Jesus at a Pharisee’s House; Luke 14:1-6.

The Ten Lepers; Luke 17:11-19.

The Visit To Zacchaeus; Luke 19:1-10.

The Death Of Lazarus; John 11:1-44

The Plot To Kill Jesus; John 11:45-56

Jesus Anointed At Bethany; John 12:1-11

Jesus’ Public Ministry in Jerusalem:

The Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem And the Cleansing Of The Temple; Luke 19:28-46. John 12:12-19

The Sifting Of Peter; Luke 22:31, 32.

The Healing Of Malchus;

Luke 22:50, 51; Matthew 26:51, 52; Mark 14:47; John 18:10, 26

Jesus’ Climatic Last Days In Jerusalem:

See chapter 5

CHAPTER 4

Christ’s Original Parables

The Following Parables Of Our Lord Are Recorded By The Evangelists:

The Light Of The World; Matthew 5:14, 15

Wise And Foolish Builders; Matthew 7:24, 25

New Cloth On An Old Coat; Matthew 9:16

New Wine In Old Wineskins; Matthew 9:17

Sower And The Soils; Matthew 13:1-23

Wheat and The Tares; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Mustard Seed; Matthew 13:31, 32

Yeast (Leaven); Matthew 13:33

Hidden Treasures; Matthew 13:44-52

Lost Sheep; Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7

Matthew 18:12-14

Ten Pieces of Silver; Luke 15:8-10

Unmerciful Servant; Matthew 18:21-35

Workers In The Vineyard: Matthew 20:1-16

Two Sons; Matthew 21:28-32

Tenants; Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-11; Luke 20:9-18

Wedding Banquet; Matthew 22:1-14;

Fig Tree; Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-29; Luke 21:29-31

Faithful And Wise Servant; Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-48

Ten Virgins; Matthew 25:1-13

Talents; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27

Lost Sheep And Goats; Matthew 25:31-46

Growing Seed; Mark 4:26-29

Money Lender; Luke 7:41-43

Good Samaritan; Luke 10:30-37

Friend In Need; Luke 11:5-8

Rich Fool; Luke 12:16-21

Unfruitful Fig Tree; Luke 13:6-9

Lowest Seat At A Feast; Luke 14:7-14

Great Banquet; Luke 14:16-24

Cost Of Discipleship; Luke 14:28-33

Sheep Going Astray: Luke 15: 1-7

Lost Coin; Luke 15:8-10

Lost (Prodigal Son); Luke 15:11-32

The Rich Man’s Steward; Luke 16:1-8

Rich Man And Lazarus; Luke 16:19-31

Master And His Servant; Luke 17:7-10

Persistent Widow; Luke 18:1-8

Pharisee And Tax Collector; Luke 18:10-14

The Nobleman; Luke 19:11-27

CHAPTER 5

Christ’s Crucifixion, Resurrection (April), And Ascension (May) A.D. 30

The Private Manifestation Of Christ In The Circle Of His Disciples. During The Fourth And Last Passover Week.

John 13:1-17:26.

Jesus Washes The Feet Of The Disciples Before The Passover Meal, John 13:1-20.

He Announces The Traitor, John 13:21-27. The Departure Of Judas, John 13:27-30.

The New Commandment Of Love, John 13:31-35.

Prophecy Of Peter’s Denial; John 13:36-38.

The Farewell Discourses To The Disciples; The Promise Of The Holy Spirit, And Of Christ’s Return; John 14:1-16:33

The Sacerdotal Prayer; John 17:1-26.

The History Of The Crucifixion And Resurrection

John 18:1-John 20:31

The Passage Over The Kedron, And The Betrayal; John 18:1-11.

Jesus Before The High Priests, Annas And Caiaphas;

John 18:12-14, 19-24.

Peter’s Denial; John 18:15-18, 25-27.

Jesus Sent Before The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate;

John 18:28-19:16.

The Lament Of The Women On The Way To The Cross;

Luke 23:26-31.

The Prayer Of Christ For His Murderers, Luke 23:34

His Conversation With The Penitent Malefactor And Promise Of A Place In Paradise, Luke 23:39-43.

The Crucifixion, John 19:17-37.

The Burial Of Jesus; John 19:38-42.

Mary Magdalene, Peter And John Visit The Empty Tomb,

John 20:1-10.

Christ Appears To Mary Magdalene, John 20:10-18.

Christ Appears To The Apostles, Except Thomas, On The Evening Of The Resurrection Day, John 20:19-23.

Christ Appeared To The Apostles, Including Thomas, On The Following Lord’s Day (Sunday). This Was The First Day Of The Week. John 20:26-31.

Matthias Chosen To Replace Judas Acts 1:21-26

The Account Of The Ascension, Luke 24:50-53; Mark 16:19, 20; And Acts 1:3-12.

CHAPTER 6

Birthday Of The Church

Descent of The Holy Spirit on The Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:1-4

Pentecost, being the 50th day after the Sabbath of the Passover week (Leviticus 23:4-7, 15-16)

The Emerging Church; Acts 2:42-47

Date: A.D. 30-35

The Apostolic Witnessing In Jerusalem; Acts 2:14-7:60

Peter’s Address; Acts 2:14-41

Peter Heals Crippled Beggar; Acts 3:1-10

Peter Speaks to Onlookers; Acts 3:11-26

Peter and John Go Before the Sanhedrin; Acts 4:1-22

The Apostles Return to Their Company; Acts 4:23-31

The Prosperity of the Church; Acts 4:32-37

The Case of Ananias and Sapphira; Acts 5:1-10

The Progress of the Gospel; Acts 5:12-16

The Apostles Persecuted; Acts 5:17-25

The Appointment of Deacons; Acts 6:1-7

Stephen Seized; Acts 6:8-15

Stephen’s Address Before The Sanhedrin; Acts 7: 1-29

The Stoning Of Stephen; Acts 7:54-60

A.D. 35-37

The Apostolic Witnessing In Judea And Samaria Acts 8:1-11:18

Persecution of the Church; Acts 8:1-4

Philip’s First Journey; Acts 8:5-13

Peter And John In Samaria; Acts 8:14-25

Philip’s Second Journey and Ethiopians Journey; Acts 8:26-40

Saul’s Conversion; Acts 9:1-19

A.D. 38-43

Saul’s stay in Damascus (after his conversion); Acts 9:20-22

Saul’s escape from Damascus, and first visit to Jerusalem (after his conversion); Acts 9:26-29

Peter’s Journey; Acts 9:32-10:48

The Cure Of Aeneas And the Visit To Dorcas; Acts 9:32-43

Cornelius Calls For Peter; Acts 10:1-8

Peter’s Vision; Acts 10:9-23

Peter At Cornelius’s House; Acts 10:24-48

Peter’s Vindication; Acts 11:1-18

Date: A.D. 44

Paul’s Second Visit to Jerusalem Acts 11:19-30

Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1-19.

King Herod’s Death; Acts 12:19-25

Establishment of Churches

Churches established by A.D. 35

Churches established by A.D. 40

One of The Seven Churches: Letter Written to Church [Revelation 2:1]

CHAPTER 7

The Apostolic Witness To The Ends Of The Earth – Part I Acts 13:1-15:35

Date: A.D. 46-48

Paul’s First Missionary Journey with Barnabas and

Mark; Acts 13:1-14:28

Journey Begins; Acts 13:1-3

On Cyprus; Acts 13:4-12

In Pisidian Antioch; Acts 13:13-52

In Iconium; Acts 14:1-7

In Lystra and Derbe; Acts 14:8-20

The Return to Antioch; Acts 14:21-28

Date: A.D. 49-50

The Apostolic Council of Jerusalem; Acts 15:1-21 and

Galatians 2:1-10.

The Councils Letter to the Gentile Believers; Acts 15:22-35

There Was A Temporary Collision with Peter and Barnabas at Antioch; Acts 15:36-39, Galatians 2:11-14.

Churches Established By A.D. 48

CHAPTER 8

The Apostolic Witness To

The Ends Of The Earth – Part II

Acts, 15:39 to 18:22.

Date: A.D. 49-52

Scripture /History: Paul sets out on his second missionary journey from Antioch to Asia Minor

Events In Palestine: Antonius Felix becomes Procurator

Paul and Barnabas Part Ways; Acts 15:39-41

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas; Acts 16:1-5

Paul’s Vision; Acts 16: 6-10

Lydia’s Conversion; Acts 16:11-15

Paul and Silas In Prison; Acts 16:12-40

In Thessalonica; Acts 17:1-9

In Berea; Acts 17:10-14

In Athens; Acts 17:15-34

In Corinth; Acts 18:1-17

Pricilla And Aquilla; Acts 18:18-21

Paul writes 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians From Corinth A.D. 50-51

Paul Writes Galatians from Corinth Date: A.D. 51-52

(Variation; dated from A.D. 48 to A.D. 53 in Syrian Antioch).

Return to Jerusalem and Syrian Antioch; Acts 18:22

Churches Established By A.D. 52

One of The Seven Churches: Letter Written to Church [Revelation 2:18]

CHAPTER 9

The Apostolic Witness To

The Ends Of The Earth – Part III

Acts 18:23-26:32

Events In The Roman Empire: Nero becomes Emperor (A.D. 54-68).

Date: A.D. 53-57

Paul Begins His Third Missionary Journey; Acts 18:23-28

Paul In Ephesus; Acts 19:1-22

Riot In Ephesus; Acts 19:23-41

Paul Writes 1Corinthians From Ephesus; 1Corinthians 16:1-9, 2Corinthians 9:1-2

Paul Writes 2Corinthians From Macedonia; 2Corinthians 1:1-16

Paul writes Romans From Corinth; Romans 15:25-26,

Romans 16:23, 1Corinthians 1:14

Paul Writes Galatians From Macedonia; Acts 18:3, Acts 20:1-6

Travels Through Macedonia and Greece; Acts 20:1-6

Miracle At Troas; Acts 20:7-12

Paul’s Voyage And Farewell To the Elders At Ephesus;

Acts 20:13-38

Paul’s Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem;

Acts 21:1-16

Date: A.D. 57-59

Paul visits Jerusalem (the fifth time); Acts 21:17-26

Paul is Apprehended; Acts 21:27-36

Paul Addresses the Crowd; Acts 21:37-22:21

Paul Identifies Himself As A Roman Citizen; Acts 22:22-29

Paul Goes Before The Sanhedrin; Acts 22:30-23:11

Jews Plot To Kill Paul; Acts 23:12-22

Paul Sent To Caesarea; Acts 23:23-35

Paul Brought Before Felix; Acts 24:1-27

Paul Brought Before Festus; Acts 25:1-12

Festus Consults King Agrippa; Acts 25:13-22

Paul Before King Agrippa; Acts 25:23-26:32

Churches established by A.D. 57

One of The Seven Churches: Letter Written to Church [Revelation 3:14]

One of The Seven Churches: Letter Written to Church [Revelation 2:12]

One of The Seven Churches: Letter Written to Church [Revelation 3:7]

One of The Seven Churches: Letter Written to Church [Revelation 3:1]

One of The Seven Churches: Letter Written to Church [Revelation 2:8]

CHAPTER 10

Paul’s Final Journey

Acts, 27:1 to 28:31.

Date: A.D. 59-A.D. 62

Paul Is Sent To Italy; Acts 27:1-12

The Storm; Acts 27:13-26

Shipwreck at Malta. Acts 27:27-44

Stay At Malta; Acts 28:1-10

Date: A.D. 61-63

Arrival at Rome; Acts 28:11-16 (in spring A.D. 61).

Paul Preaches While Under Guard; Acts 28:17-31

Paul writes to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, from his prison in Rome.

Martyrdom of James, the Lord’s Brother, at Jerusalem (according to Josephus (Antiq., XX, ix, 1).

Date: A.D. 64-68

Epistle to the Hebrews, written from Italy after the release of Timothy; Hebrews 13:23-24.

The First Epistle of Peter, Epistle of Jude, Second Epistle of Peter, The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and Acts were written.

Paul visits Crete and Macedonia, and writes First Epistle to Timothy, and Epistle to Titus. Paul writes Second Epistle to Timothy.

Churches Established By A.D. 60

CHAPTER 11

The Consolidation of Jewish and Gentile Christianity and the Writings of John

Date: A.D. 66-70

Events in Palestine: Josephus Released From Prison (A.D. 69)

Date: A.D. 67-69

John writes The Gospel Of John and His Epistles.

The Gospel Of John:

The Apostle John Was Plunged, Unhurt, Into Boiling Oil, And Then Remitted To His Island – Exile! (A.D. 67-69)

Irenaeus’ Evidence – Erroneous Statements By Irenaeus

Against Heresies: Book 2 Chapter 22 Verses 5 And 6

The Revelation of Jesus Christ as Given to John. Written by John on the Isle of Patmos (A.D. 67-70)

Date: A.D. 68-70

John returns to Ephesus after his release from Patmos

CHAPTER 12

The Great War Between The Romans And The Jews (May A.D. 66-September A.D. 70)

The Following Is A Brief Description Of Each Of The Events Identified In The Above Tables

CHAPTER 13

The Last 30 Years of the Apostolic Age

Date: A.D. 72

Events in the Roman Empire: Construction Begins On The Coliseum

Date: A.D. 79

Destruction of Pompeii and Heraculaneum

Date: A.D. 81

Events in the Roman Empire: Domitian Becomes Emperor

Date: A.D. 95

Persecution of Christians Under Domitian

Date: A.D. 96

Nerva Becomes Emperor

Date: A.D. 98

Trajan Becomes Emperor

Date: 98-100

Death of The Apostle John.

The Apostolic Age.

Sources of Information.

In Conclusion

APPENDIX I

Early Church Writers and Historians

Biographical Sketches of the Early Church Writers:

From Philips chaff’s History of the Christian Church Volume 2

APPENDIX II

Post Reformation Writers and Historians

Biographical Sketches of the Post Reformation Writers and Historians

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my wife Roberta Oxley

Who has supported me thru the hours spent in the research and compilation of information derived from resources which have been provided by many people who have served our Lord down through the ages.

PREFACE

Church History has two sides, a divine and a human. On the part of God, it is his revelation in the order of time (as the creation is his revelation in the order of space), and the successive unfolding of a plan of infinite wisdom, justice, and mercy, looking to his glory and the eternal happiness of mankind. On the part of man, history is the biography of the human race, and the gradual development, both normal and abnormal, of all its physical, intellectual, and moral forces to the final consummation at the general judgment, with its eternal rewards and punishments.

The history of the church is the rise and progress of the kingdom of heaven upon earth, for the glory of God and the salvation of the world. It began with the creation of Adam, and with that promise of the serpent-bruiser, which relieved the loss of the paradise of innocence by the hope of future redemption from the curse of sin. It came down through the preparatory revelations under the patriarchs, Moses, and the prophets, to the immediate forerunner of the Savior, John the Baptist, who pointed his followers to the Lamb of God, who took away the sins of the world. But this part of its course is only the introduction.

From here we will follow the chronological record of events, dates, places and persons involved from the infancy of John the Baptist to the Death of John. This is the period dating from B.C. 4 or 5 to the Death of The Apostle John which happened in a period between A.D. 98-100.

The sources of church history, the data on which we rely for our knowledge, are partly divine, partly human. For the history of the kingdom of God from the creation to the close of the apostolic age, we have the inspired writings of the Old and New Testaments. But after the death of the apostles we have only human authorities, which of course cannot claim to be infallible.

These human sources include Official documents of ecclesiastical and civil authorities. We are provided with the private writings of personal actors in the history: the works of the church fathers, heretics, and heathen authors. We have the Biblical commentary of the reformers and modern day historians. These documents are the richest mines for the historian. They give history in its birth and actual movement. But they must be carefully sifted and weighed; especially the controversial writings, where fact is generally more or less adulterated with party spirit, heretical and orthodox.

Accounts of chroniclers and historians, whether friends or enemies, who were eye-witnesses of what they relate. The value of these depends, of course, on the capacity and credibility of the authors, to be determined by careful criticism. Subsequent historians can be counted among the direct or immediate sources only so far as they have drawn from reliable and contemporary documents, which have either been wholly or partially lost, like many of Eusebius authorities for this period.

Richard Irwin Oxley

INTRODUCTION TO THE APOSTOLIC AGE

The chronology of the apostolic age is partly certain, at least within a few years, partly conjectural: certain as to the principal events from B.C. 04 to AD 70, conjectural as to intervening points and the last thirty years of the first century. The sources are the New Testament (especially the Acts and the Pauline Epistles), Josephus, and the Roman historians. Josephus is especially valuable here, as he wrote the Jewish history down to and including the destruction of Jerusalem.

The following dates are more or less certain and accepted by most historians:

1. The founding of the Christian Church on the feast of Pentecost in May AD 30. This is on the assumption that Christ was born BC. 4 or 5, and was crucified in April AD. 30 at an age of thirty-three.

2. The death of King Herod Agrippa I. AD. 44 (according to Josephus). This settles the date of the preceding martyrdom of James the elder, Peter’s imprisonment and release Acts 12:2, 23).

3. The Apostolic Council in Jerusalem, AD. 50 (Acts 15:1; Galatians 2:1-10). This date is ascertained by looking backwards to Paul’s conversion, and forward to the Caesarean captivity. Paul was probably converted in AD 37, and fourteen years elapsed from that event to the Council. But chronologists differ on the year of Paul’s conversion, between AD 31 and AD 40.

4. The dates of the Epistles to the Galatians, Corinthians, and Romans, between AD 53 and AD 57. The date of the Epistle to the Romans can be fixed almost to the month from its own indications combined with the statements of the Acts. It was written before the apostle had been in Rome, but when he was on the point of departure for Jerusalem and Rome on the way to Spain, after having finished his collections in Macedonia and Achaia for the poor brethren in Judaea; and he sent the epistle through Phebe, a deaconess of the congregation in the eastern port of Corinth, where he was at that time. These indications point clearly to the spring of the year 58, for in that year he was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and carried to Caesarea.

5. Paul’s captivity in Caesarea, A.D. 58 to 60, during the procuratorship of Felix and Festus, who changed places in 60 or 61, probably in 60.This important date we can ascertain by combination from several passages in Josephus, and Tacitus. It enables us at the same time, by reckoning backward, to fix some preceding events in the life of the apostle.

6. Paul’s first captivity in Rome, A.D. 61 to 63. This follows from the former date in connection with the statement in Acts 28:30.

7. The Epistles of the Roman captivity, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, AD. 61-63.

8. The Neronian persecution, AD. 64 (the tenth year of Nero, according to Tacitus). The martyrdom of Paul and Peter occurred either then, or (according to tradition) a few years later. The question depends on the second Roman captivity of Paul.

9. The destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, AD. 70 (according to Josephus and Tacitus).

10. The death of John after the accession of Trajan, AD. 98 (according to general ecclesiastical tradition). The dates of the Synoptical Gospels, the Acts, the Pastoral Epistles, the Hebrews, and the Epistles of Peter, James, Jude and the writings of John including the Apocalypse cannot be accurately ascertained except that they were composed before the destruction of Jerusalem, mostly between 60 and 70. The Apocalypse, which some of the best scholars, from internal indications assign to the year AD 68 or AD 69, between the death of Nero and the destruction of Jerusalem.1

Contributor:

1. Philip Schaff

CHAPTER 1

Life Of Christ Prior to His Ministry

After a historiographic preface, Luke gives us: first a history of the birth and infancy of John the Baptist and Jesus, from Hebrew sources, with an incident from the boyhood of the Savior (Luke 1 and 2). Then he unfolds the history of the public ministry in chronological order from the baptism in the Jordan to the resurrection and ascension. We need only point out those facts and discourses which are not found in the other Gospels and which complete the Synoptic history at the beginning, middle, and end of the life of our Lord. To this must be added the genealogy of Christ from Abraham up to Adam; while Matthew begins, in the inverse order, with Abraham, and presents in the parallel section several differences which show their mutual independence, Luke 3:23-38; compare Matthew 1:1-17.

Date: B.C. 5 or 4

The History Of The Infancy Of John The Baptist And Christ:

The appearance of the angel of the Lord to Zacharias in the temple announcing the birth of John The Baptist, Luke 1:5-25.

In the days of Herod, the king – This was Herod, surnamed the Great, the son of Antipater, an Idumean by birth, who had professed himself a proselyte to the Jewish religion, but regarded no religion, farther than it promoted his secular interests and ambition. Thus, for the first time, the throne of Judah was filled by a person not of Jewish extraction, who had been forced upon the people by the Roman government. Hence it appears plain that the prophecy of Jacob, Genesis 49:10, was now fulfilled; for the scepter had departed from Judah: and now was the time, according to another prophecy, to look for the governor from Bethlehem, who should rule and feed the people of Israel The course of Abiah: His wife was the daughter of Aaron. Her name was Elisabeth. She was of one of the sacerdotal families. This shows that John was most nobly descended: his father was a priest and his mother the daughter of a priest; and thus, both by father and mother, he descended from the family of Amram, of whom came Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, the most illustrious characters in the whole Jewish history.1

Both Zacharias and Elisabeth were now well stricken in years. God chooses this woman, naturally barren, and now aged also, to be the mother of John the Baptist, therein working a double miracle; and it is observable in holy writ, that when God denied to any women children for some long time, and then opened their wombs, they were the mothers of some eminent persons, whom God made great use of. Thus it was with Sarah, Rachel, the wife of Manoah, Hannah, 1Samuel 1:1-28, and this Elisabeth.3

While he was offering incense according to the custom, there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zachariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. He feared this heavenly messenger had come to denounce the judgments of God against a faithless and disobedient people, who had too long and too well merited it. But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zachariah: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. John signifies the grace or favor of Jehovah. A name well suiting the person, who was afterward so highly in favor with God, and endued with abundance of grace; and who opened a way to the most glorious dispensation of grace in the Messiah’s kingdom. And so Zacharias’s former prayers for a child, and the prayer which he, as the representative of the people, was probably offering at this very time, for the appearing of the Messiah, were remarkably answered in the birth of his forerunner.4

A child of prayer and faith is likely to be a source of comfort to his parents. Were proper attention paid to this point, there would be fewer disobedient children in the world; and the number of broken-hearted parents would be lessened. But what can be expected from the majority of matrimonial connections, connections begun without the fear of God, and carried on without his love. Many shall rejoice at his birth – He shall be the minister of God for good to multitudes, who shall, through his preaching, be turned from the error of their ways, and converted to God their Savior.1

And Zachariah said unto the angel, How shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well advanced in years. The angel answers, that he was dispatched by God as a messenger extraordinary, to declare this good news to him. And seeing he was so hard to believe it, and required a sign, he should have it, but such an one as should be a punishment of his unbelief, as well as a sign to confirm his faith; namely, he should from that time on, to the birth of the child, be dumb and deaf, as the original word signifies; because he had not hearkened to the angel’s speech, he was struck deaf; and because he had said it, he was made dumb.5

The people waited for Zachariah, and marveled that he stayed so long in the temple. The priest was not accustomed to remaining in the temple more than half an hour. Having remained on this occasion a longer time, the people became apprehensive of his safety, and wondered what had happened to him. And when he came out, he could not speak. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: He beckoned to them, and remained speechless. It might have been expected that the extraordinary occurrence in the temple, together with his own calamity, would have induced him at once to leave this place and return home; but his duty was in the temple. His piety prompted him to remain there in the service of God. He was not unfitted for burning incense by his dumbness, and it was not proper for him to leave his post. It is the duty of ministers of religion to re – main at their work until they are unfitted for it, and unable to serve God in their profession. Then they must retire. But until that time, he that for trifling causes forsakes his post is guilty of unfaithfulness to his Master.2

As soon as the days of his service were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

Elizabeth hid herself she did not go into public, and concealed her condition. This might have been done that she might spend her time more entirely. in giving praise to God for his mercies, and that she might have the fullest proof of the accomplishment of the promise before she appeared in public or spoke of the mercies of God.2

The Annunciation Of The Birth Of Christ To The Virgin Mary, Luke 1:26-38.

The scene now changes to a distant part of the country. Nazareth was in Galilee, fifty or sixty miles from Jerusalem. A city of Galilee – As Joseph and Mary were both of the family of David, the patrimonial estate of which lay in Bethlehem, it seems as if the family residence should have been in that city, and not in Nazareth; for we find that, even after the return from the captivity, the several families went to reside in those cities to which they originally belonged. But it is probable that the holy family removed to Galilee for fear of exciting the jealousy of Herod, who had usurped that throne to which they had an indisputable right. Thus, by keeping out of the way, they avoided the effects of his jealousy.1 In the sixth month of her pregnancy The Angel Gabriel was sent with a message for Mary. Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, you that are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women. Mary had been selected to be the mother of the long-expected Messiah – the mother of the Redeemer of mankind. Long had he been predicted; long had the eyes of the nation been turned to him and long had his coming been an object of intense desire. To be reckoned among his ancestors was accounted sufficient honor for even Abraham and David. But now the happy individual was designated who was to be his mother; and on Mary, a poor virgin of Nazareth, was to come this honor, which would have rendered infinitely illustrious any of the daughters of Adam – the honor of giving birth to the world’s Redeemer and the Son of God.2 All this was announced, also, by an angel to Joseph, after this visitation to Mary.

As she had only promised to marry Joseph, and not as yet married, she knew that this conception could not have yet taken place; and she modestly inquires by what means the promise of the angel is to be fulfilled in order to regulate her conduct accordingly. The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee. The body of Jesus would be created by the direct power of God. It was not by ordinary generation; but, as the Messiah came to redeem sinners – to make atonement for others, and not for himself – it was necessary that his human nature should be pure, and free from the corruption of the fall. God therefore prepared him a body by direct creation that should be pure and holy. See Hebrews 10:5.2

And, behold, your cousin Elizabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. The case of Elisabeth is mentioned to inspire Mary with confidence, and to assure her that what was now promised would be fulfilled. It was almost as improbable that Elisabeth should have a child at her time of life, as it was that Mary should under the circumstances promised. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. It appears that at the instant of this act of faith, and purposed obedience, the conception of the immaculate humanity of Jesus took place; and it was Done unto her according to his word.1

The Visit Of The Virgin Mary To Elizabeth; The Salutation

Of Elizabeth, Luke 1:39-45.

As soon as she could conveniently fit herself out for the journey. Mary left for the hill country – Hebron, which was situated in the tribe of Judah, about forty miles south of Jerusalem, and upwards of seventy from Nazareth, to visit her cousin Elisabeth, and to see what the Lord had planned for her. This visit leads us to the following observations:

1. The visit made by the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. The holy virgin had understood by the angel, that Elizabeth was no less akin to her in condition than in relation, being both fruitful in conception; she hastens into the hill country to visit that holy matron: the two wonders of the world were now met under one roof, to congratulate their mutual happiness; only the meeting of the saints in heaven, can parallel the meeting of these two saints on earth.

2. The design and intention of this visit, which was partly to communicate their joys to each other, and partly to strengthen the faith of each other: such a soul as has Christ spiritually conceived in it, is restless and cannot be quiet till it has imparted its joy.

3. The effect of the virgin’s salutation; she had no sooner saluted Elizabeth, but the babe in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy, doing homage, and paying adoration, to his Lord, who was then in his presence. If Elizabeth and her holy babe rejoiced, when Christ came under their roof, how should our hearts leap within us? We are privileged to have the Son of God come into the secret of our souls, not to visit us for an hour, but to dwell with us, yes, to dwell in us, and last forever.

4. How Elizabeth, by an extraordinary spirit of prophecy, confirms what the angel before had told the holy virgin: Blessed, says she, art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb; and what an honor is this, that the mother of my Lord, should come unto me!

Elizabeth acknowledged the incarnation of Christ, and the union of the divine and human nature in the person of the Mediator. She acknowledges Christ to be her Lord, and Mary to be the mother of the Son of God. Observe, how the virgin is pronounced blessed, not so much for carrying Christ in her womb by sense, as for bearing him in her heart by faith; Blessed is she that believed. Mary was not so blessed in the bringing forth Christ, as believing in him: yet the believing here mentioned, I take to be, her firm assent to the message brought her by the angel; as if Elizabeth had said, Dumbness was inflicted on my husband for his unbelief of what the angel said, but, Blessed art thou that did believe the angel. My husband, a man, an aged man, a learned and eminent man, a priest of the most high God; and the message to him of more appearing possibility; yet he disbelieved; but thou a woman, a mean, unlearned woman, of a private condition, and the message brought most incredible both to nature and reason, and yet it is believed by you! Blessed therefore is she that believed; and know, that as a reward for thy faith; all things shall certainly be performed that were foretold thee from the Lord.

We can learn Two from this things:

1. That it is the property of God to do great and wonderful things. Our faith must be great, and our expectation great; great expectations from God, honor the greatness of God.

2. That if our faith be great, God’s performances will be gracious and full. Blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told here from the Lord.5

The Magnificat (The Song) of the Virgin Mary, Luke 1:46-56.

This is the first canticles, or song of praise, recorded in the New Testament, composed by the blessed virgin with unspeakable joy, for designing her to be the instrument of the conception and birth of the Savior of the world.

We observe:

1. The manner of her praise; the soul and spirit bear their part in the work of thanksgiving, My soul does magnify, my spirit has rejoiced. As the sweetest music is made in the belly of the instrument, so the most delightful praise arises from the bottom of the heart.

2. The object of her praise; she does not magnify herself, but the Lord; yet, she does not rejoice so much in her son, as in her Savior. She does implicitly own and confess herself a sinner; for none need a Savior, but a sinner. By rejoicing in Christ as her Savior, she declares how she values herself, rather by her spiritual relation to Christ as his member, than by her natural relation to him as his mother; she might have been miserable, notwithstanding she bore him as her son, had she not believed in him as her Savior: therefore she sings, My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

3. How she admires and magnifies God’s peculiar favor towards herself, in casting an eye upon her poverty and low condition; that she, a poor, obscure maid, unknown to the world, should be looked upon with an eye of regard by him that dwells in the highest heavens. As God magnified her, she magnified him, giving all honor and glory to him that had dignified and exalted her. He that is mighty hath done for me great things, and glorified be his name.

4. She thankfully takes notice, that it was not only a high honor, but a lasting honor, which was conferred upon her. All generations shall call me blessed. She beholds an infinite, a lasting honor prepared for her, as being the mother of an universal and everlasting blessing, which all former ages had desired, and all succeeding ages should rejoice in, and proclaim her happy, for being the instrument of.

5. How the holy virgin passes from the consideration of her personal privileges, to the universal goodness of God; showing us, that the mercies and favors of God, were not confined and limited to herself, But his mercy is on all them that fear him, throughout all generations. She declares the general providence of God towards all persons, his mercy to the pious, his mercy is on all them that fear him; his justice on the proud, he has put down the mighty from their seats, and scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts; his bounty to the poor, he fills the hungry with good things.

We learn the Excellency and advantageous usefulness of the grace of humility; how good it is to be meek and lowly in heart. this will render us lovely in God’s eye, and though the world may trample upon us, he will exalt us to the admiration of ourselves, and the envy of our despisers.

Note, how she magnifies the special grace of God in our redemption; He has helped his servant Israel; that is, blessed them with a Savior, who lived in the faith, hope, and expectation, of the promised Messiah, and this blessing, she declares, was

1. The result of great mercy, He remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel.

2. The effect of his truth and faithfulness in his promises, as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

The appearance of the promised Messiah, in the fullness of time, in order to the redemption and salvation of a lost world, it was the fruit of God’s tender love, and the effect of his faithfulness in the promises made of old, to his church and children: He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our forefathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.5

The Birth of John the Baptist, Luke 1:57-66.

The angel told Mary, Luke 1:36, that it was then the sixth month with her; after this Mary was with her about three months, which made up her full time; so she delivered, and brought forth a son, to show the truth of God’s promises, that we may all learn to give credit to his word. The neighbors and Cousins of Elisabeth came, to rejoice with her, which was according to the custom of friends to this day.3

And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; Circumcision was a religious ceremony, performed, according to the law of Moses, as a rite essential to the admission of any one to the Jewish communion. It was performed upon infant children of Jewish parents, when they were eight days old; and upon those who had not been thus circumcised in infancy, at the time of their conversion to Judaism, at whatever period of their lives this might be. It corresponded, therefore, in many respects, to the baptismal ceremony of the Christian dispensation, as practiced by most denominations. and they called him, after the name of his father; that is, they proposed to call him Zachariah.

And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. This is the name which the angel desired should be given him, Luke 1:13, and of which Zacharias by writing had informed his wife. And they said to her, There is none of your kindred that are called by this name. The Jewish tribes and families were kept distinct. To do this, and to avoid confusion in their genealogical tables, they probably gave only those names which were found among their ancestors. Another reason for this, common to all people, is the respect which is felt for honored parents and ancestors. They made signs to his father – Who, it appears from this, was deaf as well as dumb; otherwise they might have asked him, and obtained his answer in this way.2 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all marveled.

His mouth was opened, That is, he was enabled to speak. For nine months he had been dumb, and it is probable that they supposed that he had been afflicted with a paralytic affection, and that he would not recover. Hence their amazement when he spoke. For one act of disbelief all this calamity had come upon him and it had not come without effect. With true gratitude he offered praise to God for the birth of a son, and for his restoration to the blessings of speech.2

And fear came – Seeing what they might have thought a paralytic affection so suddenly and effectually healed. The inhabitants of Hebron and its environs, who were well acquainted with the circumstances of Zacharias and Elisabeth, perceived that God had in a remarkable manner visited them; and this begot in their minds a more than ordinary reverence for the Supreme Being. Thus the salvation of one often becomes an instrument of good to the souls of many. The inhabitants of this hill country seem to have been an open, honest-hearted, generous people; who were easily led to acknowledge the interposition of God, and to rejoice in the comfort and welfare of each other. The people of the country are more remarkable for these qualities than those in towns and cities. The latter, through that evil communication which corrupts good manners, are generally profligate, selfish, regardless of God, and inattentive to the operation of his hands.1

The Benedictus (Benediction) of Zacharias, Luke 1:67-80.

No sooner was Zacharias recovered and restored to his speech, but he sings the praises of his Redeemer, and offers up a thanksgiving to God; the best return we can make to God for the use of our tongues, for the giving or restoring of our speech, is to publish our Creator’s praise, to plead his case, and vindicate his honor.

What it is that Zacharias makes the subject-matter of his song: what is the particular and special mercy which he praises and blesses God for? It is not for his own particular and private mercy; namely, the recovery of his speech, though undoubtedly he was very thankful to God for that mercy; but he blesses and praises God for catholic and universal mercies bestowed upon his church and people: he doth not say, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, that hath visited me in mercy, that hath once more loosened my tongue, and restored my speech: but, Blessed be the Lord that hath visited and redeemed his people.

It is both the duty and disposition of a gracious soul, to abound in praise and thankfulness to God, more for universal mercies towards the church of God, than for any particular and private mercies however great towards himself; Blessed be God for visiting and redeeming his people.

In this evangelical hymn there is a prophetical prediction, both concerning Christ, and concerning John. Concerning Christ, he declares, that God the Father had sent him of his free mercy and rich grace, yet in performance of his truth and faithfulness; and according to his promise and oath which he had made to Abraham, and the fathers of the Old Testament.

He blesses God for the comprehensive blessing of the Messiah; Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who hath visited his people: namely, in his Son’s incarnation. The Lord Jesus Christ, in the fullness of time, made such a visit to this sinful world, as men and angels admired at, and will admire to all eternity.

The special benefit of this gracious and merciful visitation was the redemption of a lost world; he hath visited and redeemed his people. This implies that the bondage, which we were under to sin and Satan, and expresses the great love of Christ, in buying our lives with his dearest blood; and both by price and power rescuing us out of the hands of our spiritual enemies.

The character given of this Savior and Redeemer; he is a horn of salvation; that is, a royal and glorious, a strong and powerful Savior to his church and people. The horn, in scripture, signifies glory and dignity, strength and power; as the beauty, so the strength of the beast lies in its horn: now Christ being styled a horn of salvation, intimates, that he himself is a royal and princely Savior, and that the salvation which he brings, is great and plentiful, glorious and powerful; God has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.

The nature and quality of that salvation and deliverance, which the Son of God came to accomplish for us; not a temporal deliverance, as the Jews expected, from the power of the Romans; but spiritual, from the hands of sin and Satan, death and hell: his design was to purchase a spiritual freedom and liberty for us, that we might be enabled to serve him without fear; that is, without the servile and offending fear of a slave, but with the dutiful and ingenuous fear of a child: and this in holiness and righteousness; that is, in the duties of the first and second table, all the days of our life.

Believers, who were slaves of Satan, are by Christ made God’s free men. Secondly, that as such, they owe God a service, a willing, cheerful, and delightful service, without fear; and a constant, persevering service all the days of their life that we being delivered out of the hands, of all who hate us.

The source and fountain from which this glorious Savior and gracious salvation did arise and spring; namely, from the mercy and faithfulness of God; To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the oath which he swore to our father Abraham.

Learn hence, that the Lord Jesus Christ, the mercy of mercies, was graciously promised, and faithfully performed, by God to his church and people. Christ was a free and full mercy; a suitable, unsearchable, and everlasting mercy; which God graciously promised in the beginning of time, and faithfully performed in the fullness of time. Thus far this hymn of Zacharias respects the Messiah.

How he now turns himself to his child, and prophesies concerning him: And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest: for you shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

The nature of his office, "thou shalt be a prophet;" was not a common and ordinary one, but a prophet of the highest rank; the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. A prophet thou shalt be and more than a prophet.

As the nature of his office was important, so was the quality of his work: "Thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his way:" you will be an forerunner to the Most High; you will prepare the way before him, and make men fit and ready to receive this mighty Savior. This, child, shalt be as the morning star, to foretell the glorious arising of this Sun of Righteousness.

It is the highest honor and dignity to serve Christ in the quality and relation of a prophet. It is the office and duty of the prophets of Christ, to prepare and make fit the hearts of men, to receive and embrace him.

Zacharias having spoken a few words concerning his son, returns instantly to celebrate the praises of our Savior, comparing him to the rising sun, which shined forth in the brightness of his gospel, to enlighten the dark corners of the world: Through the tender mercies of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness.

From this we can understand that:

1. Jesus Christ is that true Sun of Righteousness, which in the fullness of time did spring from on high to visit a lost and undone world.

2. The great errand of Christ’s coming into the world, and the particular end of his appearing in the flesh, was to give light to them that sit in darkness.

3. It was nothing less than infinite mercy, and bowels of compassion in God and Christ, which inclined him to come from on high, to visit them that sit in darkness: Through the tender bowels of mercy in our God, whereby his own and only son sprung from on high to visit us here below, who sat in darkness and the shadow of death; and to guide our feet unto the way that leads to everlasting peace.5

The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, Luke 2:1-7.

The conclusion of Luke chapter 1 acquainted us with the birth of John the Baptist; the beginning of this chapter relates the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, and the remarkable circumstances which did attend it. The place where he was born was not at Nazareth, but at Bethlehem, according to the prediction of the prophet Micah, Micah 5:2. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people Israel.

We may suppose, that the blessed virgin little thought of changing her place, but to have been delivered of her holy burden at Nazareth, where it was conceived. Her house at Nazareth was honored by the presence of the angel; yea, by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost: that house therefore, we may suggest, was most satisfactory to the virgin’s desires. But he that made the choice of the womb where his son should be conceived would also choose the place where his son should be born. And this place, many hundred years before the nativity, was foretold should be Bethlehem.

How remarkable the providence of God was in bringing the virgin up from Nazareth the Bethlehem so that Christ, as it was prophesied of him, might be born there. Augustus, the Roman emperor, to whom the nation of the Jews was now become tributary, puts forth a decree, that all the Roman empire should have their names and families enrolled, in order to their being taxed. This edict required, that every family should return to that city to which they did belong, to be enrolled and taxed there.

Accordingly, Joseph and Mary, being of the house and lineage of David, have returned to Bethlehem, the city of David, where, according to the prophecy, the Messiahs was to be born.

Notice how the wisdom of God overrules the actions of men, for higher or nobler ends than what they aimed at. The emperor’s aim was by this edict to fill his coffers. God’s end was to fulfill his prophecies. Notice how readily Joseph and Mary yielded obedience to the edict and decree of this heathen emperor. It was no less than four days journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem: how just an excuse might the virgin have pleaded for her absence! What woman ever undertook so hazardous a journey so near her delivery? And Joseph, no doubt, was sufficiently unwilling to draw her forth into so manifest a hazard. But as the emperor’s command was peremptory, so their obedience was exemplary. We must not plead difficulty for withdrawing our obedience to supreme commands. How did our blessed Savior, even in the womb of his mother, yield homage to civil rulers and governors!

The first lesson which Christ’s example taught the world was loyalty and obedience to the supreme magistrate. After many weary steps, the holy virgin comes to Bethlehem, where every house is taken up by reason of the great confluence of people that came to be taxed; and there is no room for Christ but in a stable: the stable is our Lord’s palace, the manger is his cradle.

This was an early indication that our Lord’s kingdom was not of this world!

Yet some observe a mystery in all this: an inn is domus publici juris, not a private house, but open and free for all passengers, and a stable is the commonest place in the inn; to mind us, that he who was born there, would be a common Savior to high and low, noble and base, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile; called therefore so often the Son of man; the design of his birth being the benefit of mankind.5

The Appearance of the Angels to the Shepherds Of Bethlehem, And the "Gloria In Excelsis," (Doxology) Luke 2:8-20.

Here we have the official announcement and first publishing of our Savior’s birth to the world: The angel said unto the shepherds, I bring you glad tidings, a Savior is born.

The messenger employed by God to publish the joyful news of a Savior’s birth; the holy angels, heavenly messengers going about doing a heavenly work: it is worth noticing, how serviceable the angels were to Christ upon all occasions, when he was here upon earth; an angel declares his conception; a host of angels publish his birth; in his temptation, an angel strengthens him; in his agony, an angel comforts him; at his resurrection, an angel rolls away the stone from the door of the sepulchre; at his ascension, the angels attend him up to heaven; and at his second coming to judge the world, he shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. And great reason there is that the angels should be this efficient in their attendances upon Christ, who is a head of confirmation to them, as he was a head of redemption to fallen man.

The persons, to whom this joyful message of a Savior’s birth is first brought, are the shepherds; The angel said unto the shepherds, Fear not.

1. Because Christ, the great shepherd of his church, had come into the world.

2. Because he was originally promised to shepherds, the old patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose occupations were as shepherds.

The time when these shepherds had the honor of this revelation; it was not when they were asleep on their beds of idleness and sloth, but when they were lying abroad, and watching their flocks. The blessings of heaven usually meet us in the way of an honest and industrious diligence; whereas the idle are fit for nothing but temptation to work upon. If these shepherds had been snoring in their beds, they had no more seen angels, nor yet heard the news of a Savior, than their neighbors.

The nature and quality of the message which the angel brought; it was a message of joy, a message of great joy, a message of great joy unto all people. For here was born a Son, that Son a Prince, that Prince a Savior, that Savior not a particular Savior of the Jews only, but a universal Savior, whose salvation is to the ends of the earth. Well might the angel call it a message, or glad tidings of great joy unto all people!

The ground and occasion of this joy, the foundation of all this good news, which was proclaimed in the ears of a lost world; and that was, the birth of a Savior; Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Notes:

1. The incarnation and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his manifestation in our flesh and nature, was and is matter of exceeding joy and rejoicing unto all people.

2. That the great end and design of our Lord’s incarnation and coming into the world, was to be the Savior of lost sinners; Unto you is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.5

This shall be a sign (or token) unto you – You shall find this glorious person, however strange it may appear, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a stable! It is by humility that Christ comes to reign; and this is the only way into his kingdom! Pride is the character of all the children of Adam: humility the mark of the Son of God, and of all his followers. Christ came in the way of humility to destroy that pride which is the root of evil in the souls of men. And thus, according to the old medical aphorism, Opposites are destroyed by their opposites.

Suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host had just now descended from on high, to honor the new-born Prince of peace, to give his parents the fullest conviction of his glory and excellence, and to teach the shepherds, who were about to be the first proclaimers of the Gospel, what to think and what to speak of him, who, while he appeared as a helpless infant, was the object of worship to the angels of God.1

Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace; good will toward men – The shouts of the multitude are generally broken into short sentences. This rejoicing acclamation strongly represents the piety and benevolence of these heavenly spirits: as if they had said, Glory be to God in the highest heavens: let all the angelic legions resound his praises. For with the Redeemer’s birth, peace and all kind of happiness, come down to dwell on earth: yea, the overflowing of Divine good will and favor are now exercised toward men.4

The shepherds no sooner heard the news of a Savior, but they ran to Bethlehem to seek him; and though it was at midnight, they did not wait till morning to go. Those that left their beds to attend their flocks, now leave their flocks to inquire after their Savior. A gracious soul no sooner hears where Christ is, but instantly makes out after him, and judges no earthly comfort too dear to be left and forsaken for him. These shepherds showed that they preferred their Savior before their sheep.

These shepherds having found Christ themselves, made him known to others, When they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying, which was told them concerning this child. Those that