Devine Scripture

Luke 2:8

What does Luke 2:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 2:8 means

In the surrounding countryside, shepherds were performing their customary duty of guarding their flocks by night. These were ordinary, often overlooked individuals, whose lives were marked by solitude and vigilance. Their presence in the narrative is significant because it is to these humble, working-class men that God chose to first reveal the glorious news of the Messiah's birth, bypassing the religious and political elites. This demonstrates God's heart for the common person.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And in the same country there were keepers of sheep in the fields, watching over their flock by night.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the field, and keeping the night-watches over their flock,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there were shepherds in that country abiding without, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

Context

This verse shifts the scene from the nativity in Bethlehem to the nearby fields, introducing the shepherds. This change in location prepares the reader for the angelic announcement that is about to occur. It establishes the initial audience for the good news, emphasizing their social status as both ordinary and vigilant, which will soon be dramatically interrupted.

v.7And 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.

v.8This passage

v.9And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Cross references

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

  • Ezekiel 34:8

    As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely forasmuch as my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my sheep;

  • Psalms 78:70

    He chose David also his servant, And took him from the sheepfolds:

  • Genesis 31:39

    That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.

  • John 10:8

    All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

  • Exodus 3:1

    Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of God, unto Horeb.

  • 1 Samuel 17:34

    And David said unto Saul, Thy servant was keeping his father’s sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock,

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