Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. New Living Translation That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. English Standard Version And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Berean Standard Bible And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Berean Literal Bible And there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the fields and keeping watch by night over their flock. King James Bible And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. New King James Version Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. New American Standard Bible In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. NASB 1995 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. NASB 1977 And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. Legacy Standard Bible In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. Amplified Bible In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Berean Annotated Bible And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Christian Standard Bible In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Holman Christian Standard Bible In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. American Standard Version And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Contemporary English Version That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. English Revised Version And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. GOD'S WORD® Translation Shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem. They were taking turns watching their flock during the night. Good News Translation There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. International Standard Version In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, watching their flock during the night. NET Bible Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. New Heart English Bible There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Webster's Bible Translation And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Weymouth New Testament Now there were shepherds in the same part of the country, keeping watch over their sheep by night in the open fields, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. World English Bible There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the field and keeping the night-watches over their flock, Berean Literal Bible And there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the fields and keeping watch by night over their flock. Young's Literal Translation And there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the field, and keeping the night-watches over their flock, Smith's Literal Translation And shepherds were in the country, sleeping in the fields, and watching over their flock the watches of the night. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. Catholic Public Domain Version And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock. New American Bible Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. New Revised Standard Version In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow there were shepherds in that region, where they were staying, and they were watching their flocks at night. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But there were some shepherds in the region lodging there and they kept the nightly watch over their flocks; NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd there were in the same country shepherds, living in the open field, and guarding their flock by night. Godbey New Testament And the shepherds were in that country, tenting out and keeping guard over their flock by night. Haweis New Testament And there were shepherds in that country abiding in the open air, and keeping guard over their flock by night. Mace New Testament In that country there were shepherds lying in the open fields, taking their turns to watch the stock in the night; Weymouth New Testament Now there were shepherds in the same part of the country, keeping watch over their sheep by night in the open fields, Worrell New Testament And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Worsley New Testament And there were in the same country shepherds out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night: and lo, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Shepherds and the Angels7And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. 9Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.… Cross References And there were shepherds Genesis 47:3 “What is your occupation?” Pharaoh asked Joseph’s brothers. “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied, “both we and our fathers.” 1 Samuel 16:11 And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” Exodus 3:1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. residing in the fields nearby, Genesis 29:2-3 He looked and saw a well in the field, and near it lay three flocks of sheep, because the sheep were watered from this well. And a large stone covered the mouth of the well. / When all the flocks had been gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well. Genesis 37:12-16 Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem. / Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied. / Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem, … 1 Samuel 17:15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem. keeping watch over their flocks by night. Genesis 31:39-40 I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night. / As it was, the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. 1 Samuel 17:34-35 David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. Luke 12:38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed. John 10:11-14 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. … Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Ezekiel 34:11-12 For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. Micah 5:2-4 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. / Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the children of Israel. / He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth. Genesis 31:38-40 I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. / I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night. / As it was, the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. Psalm 23:1-4 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. / He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. … Isaiah 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes. Treasury of Scripture And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. abiding. Genesis 31:39,40 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… Exodus 3:1,2 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb… 1 Samuel 17:34,35 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: … watch over their flock by night. Jump to Previous Abiding Country Field Fields Flock Flocks Keepers Keeping Nearby Night Night-Watches Open Part Region Sheep Shepherds Staying Watch WatchingJump to Next Abiding Country Field Fields Flock Flocks Keepers Keeping Nearby Night Night-Watches Open Part Region Sheep Shepherds Staying Watch WatchingLuke 2 1. Augustus taxes all the Roman empire.6. The nativity of Jesus. 8. An angel relates it to the shepherds, and many sing praises to God for it. 15. The shepherds glorify God. 21. Jesus is circumcised. 22. Mary purified. 25. Simeon and Anna prophesy of Jesus, 39. who increases in wisdom, 41. questions in the temple with the teachers, 51. and is obedient to his parents. And there were shepherds Shepherds were common in Judea, often considered lowly and humble, yet they played a significant role in biblical narratives. David, Israel's great king, was a shepherd (1 Samuel 16:11). The imagery of shepherds is frequently used in Scripture to describe God's care for His people (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11). residing in the fields nearby keeping watch over their flocks by night Persons / Places / Events 1. ShepherdsThese were humble, ordinary men who were tending their sheep. In the cultural context of the time, shepherds were often seen as lowly and unimportant, yet they were chosen to receive the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth. 2. Fields Nearby The fields were likely near Bethlehem, where the shepherds were performing their duties. This setting emphasizes the humble beginnings of the announcement of the Messiah. 3. Flocks The sheep that the shepherds were watching over. Sheep were a common part of the agrarian society and were often used in sacrificial offerings, symbolizing purity and innocence. 4. Night The time of day when the shepherds were keeping watch. The night can symbolize darkness and the need for light, which is significant as Jesus is often referred to as the Light of the World. 5. Angel of the Lord (implied in the following verses) Although not mentioned in verse 8, the angel's appearance to the shepherds is a pivotal event that follows, bringing the good news of Jesus' birth. Teaching Points God's Choice of the HumbleGod often chooses the humble and lowly to reveal His plans, as seen with the shepherds. This teaches us that God values humility and can use anyone for His purposes. The Role of Shepherds Shepherds symbolize care, guidance, and protection. As Christians, we are called to shepherd others by leading them to Christ and caring for their spiritual needs. Light in Darkness The announcement to the shepherds at night signifies the coming of Jesus as the Light of the World. We are called to be bearers of this light in a dark world. Vigilance in Faith The shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks, illustrating the importance of vigilance in our spiritual lives. We must be watchful and ready to respond to God's call. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 2:8?2. How can we emulate the shepherds' vigilance in our spiritual lives today? 3. What does Luke 2:8 teach about God's revelation to humble individuals? 4. How does Luke 2:8 connect with other biblical instances of divine announcements? 5. In what ways can we be "keeping watch" over our spiritual responsibilities? 6. What role does humility play in receiving God's message, as seen in Luke 2:8? 7. How does Luke 2:8 reflect the significance of shepherds in biblical history and theology? 8. Why were shepherds chosen to receive the angelic announcement in Luke 2:8? 9. What does Luke 2:8 reveal about God's message being accessible to all people? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 2? 11. Why is Christmas on December 25? 12. Why do Matthew and Luke give different accounts of Jesus' birth (e.g., one has shepherds, the other has wise men)? 13. What does "Mary treasured these things in her heart" mean? 14. What is the biblical significance of shepherds? What Does Luke 2:8 Mean And there were shepherds- God’s choice of ordinary laborers underscores His pattern of exalting the humble (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). - Shepherds, often overlooked by society, mirror David the shepherd-king (1 Samuel 16:11-13) and point to Jesus, the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). - Their presence fulfills Old Testament imagery of God tenderly shepherding His people (Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 40:11). residing in the fields nearby - These fields stood just outside Bethlehem, the prophesied birthplace of Messiah (Micah 5:2). - “Residing” shows this was their regular, humble life—constant, unpolished, yet precisely where God breaks in (Genesis 46:31; Amos 7:14-15). - The nearness to town highlights the accessibility of the gospel: it reaches those on the outskirts first (Acts 1:8 begins “in Jerusalem… and to the ends of the earth”). keeping watch - Night watches were divided so each shepherd stayed alert, a picture of spiritual vigilance (Luke 12:35-38; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). - Faithfulness in the mundane becomes the setting for divine revelation (Proverbs 27:23; Matthew 24:45-46). - Their attentive posture foreshadows believers called to “shepherd the flock of God” with the same diligence (1 Peter 5:2-3). over their flocks - The sheep represent those under their care; God reveals the Lamb of God first to caretakers of lambs (John 1:29). - Protection and provision echo the Lord’s covenant role (Ezekiel 34:11-16). - This scene anticipates Jesus gathering His own flock, calling each by name (John 10:3-4). by night - Darkness heightens the brilliance of the forthcoming angelic light (John 1:5). - God often meets His people in the night hours—Passover (Exodus 12:42), Samuel’s call (1 Samuel 3:3-10). - Spiritual darkness blanketing the world is about to be pierced by the birth of the Savior (Isaiah 9:2; Luke 1:78-79). summary Luke 2:8 shows God choosing humble, watchful shepherds in the ordinary rhythm of nightly duty to receive history’s greatest news. Their vigilance, nearness, and devotion to their flock illustrate how the Lord appears to those who faithfully labor, no matter how obscure the setting, and how He fulfills long-promised prophecies through unexpected channels. (8) Shepherds abiding in the field.--The fact has been thought, on the supposition that sheep were commonly folded during the winter months, to have a bearing adverse to the common traditional view which fixes December 25 as the day of the Nativity. At that season, it has been urged, the weather was commonly too inclement for shepherds and sheep to pass the night in the open air, and there was too little grass for pasturage. In summer, on the other hand, the grass on the hills is rapidly burnt up. The season at which the grass is greenest is that just before the Passover (Mark 6:39; John 6:10); and, on the whole, this appears the most probable date. The traditional season, which does not appear as such till the fourth century, may have been chosen for quite other reasons--possibly to displace the old Saturnalia, which coincided with the winter solstice. It is noticeable that the earliest Latin hymns connected with the festival of Christmas dwell on the birth as the rising of the Sun of Righteousness on the world's wintry darkness.Keeping watch.--Literally, keeping their night-watches, as in Matthew 14:25. Who the shepherds were, or why they were thus chosen as the first to hear the glad tidings, we cannot know. Analogy suggests the thought that it was an answer to their prayers, the fulfilment of their hopes, that they, too, were looking for "the consolation of Israel." We may venture, perhaps, to think of the shepherds of Bethlehem as cherishing the traditions of David's shepherd-life, and the expectations which, as we know from Matthew 2:5, John 7:42, were then current throughout Judaea--that the coming of the Christ was not far off, and that Bethlehem was to witness His appearing, as thus gaining a higher spiritual receptivity than others. The statement in the Mishna that the sheep intended for sacrifice in the Temple were pastured in the fields of Bethlehem, gives a special interest to the fact thus narrated, and may, perhaps, in part, explain the faith and devotion of the shepherds. They had been rejoicing, at the Paschal season, over the spring-tide birth of the lambs of their flocks. They now heard of the birth of "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). . . . Verses 8-20. - The Bethlehem shepherds see the angels. Verse 8. - In the same country; that is, in the upland pastures immediately in the neighborhood of Bethlehem. Shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Why were shepherds chosen as the first on earth to hear the strange glorious news of the birth of the Savior of the world? It seems as though this very humble order was selected as a practical illustration of that which in the future history of Christianity was to be so often exemplified - "the exaltation of the humble and meek." Mary would learn from this, the first visit of adorers to her Babe, that the words of her song (the Magnificat) would in very truth be realized. The subsequent visit of the learned and wealthy travelers from the East (Matthew 2:1-12) would tell her that the words of the Isaiah prophecy were all literally, in their due order, to be fulfilled, some of them even in the unconscious childhood of her Son (see Isaiah 60:3, 6; Psalm 72:10). Now, among the Jews at that period shepherds were held in low estimation among the people. In the Talmud (treatise 'Sanhedrin') we read they were not to be allowed in the courts as witnesses. In the treatise 'Avodah-Zarah' no help must be given to the heathen or to shepherds. The Mishna (Talmud) tells us that the sheep intended for the daily sacrifices in the temple were fed in the Bethlehem pastures. This semisacred occupation no doubt influenced these poor toilers, and specially fitted them to be the recipients of the glad tidings. They would hear much of the loved Law in the solemn ritual of the great temple. They would know, too, that there was a rumor widely current in those days that the longlooked - for Messiah was soon to appear, and that their own Bethlehem was to witness his appearing.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek AndΚαὶ (Kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. there were ἦσαν (ēsan) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. shepherds ποιμένες (poimenes) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 4166: A shepherd; hence met: of the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd. residing in the fields ἀγραυλοῦντες (agraulountes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 63: To spend the night in the open, bivouac. From agros and auleo; to camp out. nearby, χώρᾳ (chōra) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 5561: Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. A space of territory. keeping φυλάσσοντες (phylassontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 5442: Probably from phule through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. Be on guard; by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid. watch φυλακὰς (phylakas) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 5438: From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively. over ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. flocks ποίμνην (poimnēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4167: A flock (of sheep or goats). Contraction from poimaino; a flock. by night. νυκτὸς (nyktos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3571: The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'. Links Luke 2:8 NIVLuke 2:8 NLT Luke 2:8 ESV Luke 2:8 NASB Luke 2:8 KJV Luke 2:8 BibleApps.com Luke 2:8 Biblia Paralela Luke 2:8 Chinese Bible Luke 2:8 French Bible Luke 2:8 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Luke 2:8 There were shepherds in the same country (Luke Lu Lk) |
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