Chapter

Luke 2:10

ESV And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
NIV But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
NASB And so the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
CSB But the angel said to them, "Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
NLT but the angel reassured them. 'Don’t be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
KJV And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
NKJV Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

What does Luke 2:10 mean?

Shortly after Mary gave birth to Jesus (Luke 2:6–7), an angel appeared to local shepherds (Luke 2:8–9). This terrified the men, at first, but here the angel speaks reassurance. What the prophets of the Old Testament predicted (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Micah 5:2) has come to pass.

The angel pointedly notes that this announcement is for "all the people." God seems to be highlighting that fact by speaking first to common shepherds—not kings, scholars, or warlords. Those the world values least are often those whom God both speaks to and speaks through (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). When Jesus is circumcised and dedicated at the temple, the prophet Simeon will note that Christ's ministry will extend beyond even the nation of Israel, to the entire world (Luke 2:32).
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