Devine Scripture

Luke 2:16

What does Luke 2:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 2:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 2:16 means

Acting with haste, the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger, exactly as the angel had described. This verification confirmed the truth of the angelic messenger's words and the divine origin of the news. Their prompt action and the accurate confirmation of the sign highlight the reliability of God's message and the humble reality of the Messiah's birth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they came quickly, and saw Mary and Joseph, and the child in the place where the cattle had their food.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And they came, having hasted, and found both Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they came with haste: and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger;

Context

This verse describes the culmination of the shepherds' journey, as they find the Holy Family and Jesus in the manger. It directly follows their decision to go to Bethlehem. This moment is the verification of the angel's sign, establishing the truth of the divine announcement and setting the stage for the shepherds to spread the good news.

v.15And 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.

v.16This passage

v.17And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 2:7

    And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.

  • Luke 22:13

    And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

  • Luke 19:32

    And they that were sent went away, and found even as he had said unto them.

  • Luke 1:39

    And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;

  • Luke 2:12

    And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

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