Devine Scripture

Luke 2:7

What does Luke 2:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 2:7 means

Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, signifying Jesus' unique position. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, a common practice for newborns, and laid Him in a manger, an animal feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. This humble setting underscores Jesus' identity not as an earthly king born in a palace, but as a Savior who came in humility and poverty, identifying with the marginalized. The manger symbolizes His selfless condescension for humanity's sake.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And she had her first son; and folding him in linen, she put him to rest in the place where the cattle had their food, because there was no room for them in the house.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and she brought forth her son--the first-born, and wrapped him up, and laid him down in the manger, because there was not for them a place in the guest-chamber.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him up in swaddling-clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Context

This verse details the birth of Jesus, immediately highlighting the humble circumstances of His arrival. It directly follows the revelation that Mary's time had come. The imagery of the swaddling clothes and manger, contrasted with the lack of an inn room, sets a powerful tone of humility and foreshadows Jesus' earthly ministry among the lowly.

v.6And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered.

v.7This passage

v.8And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

Cross references

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

  • Galatians 4:4

    but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

  • John 1:14

    And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

  • Matthew 1:25

    and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.

  • Psalms 22:6

    But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people.

  • Exodus 4:24

    And it came to pass on the way at the lodging-place, that Jehovah met him, and sought to kill him.

  • Matthew 8:20

    And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

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