Luke 2:15
What does Luke 2:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 2:15 means
Once the angels departed and returned to heaven, the shepherds, now left alone, immediately discussed what they had witnessed. Their shared experience of the divine revelation prompted them to act without delay. They decided to go to Bethlehem to see for themselves the event the Lord had made known to them. This demonstrates their simple faith and obedience to the angelic message, eager to verify the extraordinary claims.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the keepers of the sheep said to one another, Let us go now to Beth-lehem, and see this thing which has come about, which the Lord has made clear to us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it came to pass, when the messengers were gone away from them to the heavens, that the men, the shepherds, said unto one another, `We may go over indeed unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that hath come to pass, that the Lord did make known to us.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass, as the angels departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us make our way then now as far as Bethlehem, and let us see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.
Context
This verse marks the transition from the angelic encounter to the shepherds' human response. It follows the heavenly host's praise and their departure. This decision to go to Bethlehem provides the narrative with momentum, leading directly to their encounter with Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, fulfilling the sign given by the angel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 2:1
And it came to pass, when Jehovah would take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
- Exodus 3:3
And Moses said, I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
- Psalms 111:2
The works of Jehovah are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
- Matthew 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
- Luke 24:51
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.
- 1 Peter 3:22
who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
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