Luke 2:10
What does Luke 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 2:10 means
The angel's first words were designed to calm the shepherds' fear: "Do not be afraid." This reassurance paved the way for the astonishing news that followed: "good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people." The message wasn't just for Israel, but for "all the people," signaling the universal scope of the salvation that was about to be inaugurated. This joyous announcement promised a transformative event bringing hope and gladness to humanity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the angel said, Have no fear; for truly, I give you good news of great joy which will be for all the people:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the messenger said to them, `Fear not, for lo, I bring you good news of great joy, that shall be to all the people--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I announce to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people;
Context
This verse directly addresses the shepherds' fear, transitioning from divine terror to divine comfort. The angel's words prepare the shepherds for the profound news he is about to deliver. It introduces the central theme of "good tidings of great joy," setting the expectant tone for the revelation of the Savior's birth and its universal implications.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 3:8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
- Isaiah 40:9
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up on a high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God!
- Isaiah 52:10
Jehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
- Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
- Mark 1:15
and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel.
- Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
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