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Luke 2:8
ESV And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
NIV And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
NASB In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night.
CSB In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.
NLT That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.
KJV And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

What does Luke 2:8 mean?

The region in question is Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph travelled there to comply with a government-ordered census (Luke 2:1–4). Mary made the trip expecting to give birth to Jesus very soon, and she delivers in humble circumstances (Luke 2:5–7).

For reasons the Bible does not specify, angels will arrive to tell these shepherds about Jesus' birth. The fact that this is good news "for all the people" might be a partial explanation. Other Gospels note that Israel's educated men ought to have recognized the signs of Messiah's birth, but apparently made no effort to seek Him out (Matthew 2:3–6).

The shepherds are the only visitors whom the Bible records meeting Jesus on the actual night of His birth. Though popular culture often depicts Mary giving birth in a barn stall surrounded by livestock, the only detail found in Scripture is that she rests Jesus in a feeding trough, known as a manger. This is where the shepherds will find Him (Luke 2:12).
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