Meaning of Luke 2:20

The shepherds' return from Bethlehem, "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told," signifies the immediate and profound impact of the angelic announcement and the subsequent discovery of the infant Jesus. This act of worship is not a passive acknowledgment but an active, vocal testament to the fulfillment of divine prophecy and the reality of God's intervention in human history. Their experience, rooted in the ordinary events of their lives as shepherds, becomes extraordinary through the divine revelation, transforming their perspective and prompting an outward expression of awe and gratitude that directly attributes all praise to God.

Context and Background

This verse concludes the narrative of the shepherds' encounter with the angelic host announcing the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:8-14. The shepherds, humble laborers associated with the Passover lambs (a symbolic prefigurement of Jesus, the Lamb of God), were chosen to be the first earthly witnesses to the Messiah's birth. Following the angels' departure, they agreed to go to Bethlehem and see this thing that had happened, which the Lord had made known to them (Luke 2:15). Their journey to the manger, their discovery of Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a feeding trough, and their subsequent return are all contextualized by the miraculous angelic pronouncements.

Key Themes and Messages

• Fulfillment of Prophecy: The phrase "which were just as they had been told" emphasizes the accuracy and trustworthiness of the angelic message. This underscores the theme of God's faithfulness to His promises and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah.
• Joyful Worship: The shepherds' response is one of active glorification and praise. This highlights that encountering God's truth and presence naturally leads to worship, characterized by joy and thanksgiving.
• Witness and Testimony: Their actions demonstrate the imperative to share the good news. Having seen and heard, they are compelled to glorify God, implicitly preparing them to spread the message, as they later did (Luke 2:17).
• Humility and Divine Revelation: The divine message was first revealed to the most humble and marginalized members of society, demonstrating that God often works through the unexpected and the seemingly insignificant.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The shepherds' return serves as a model for experiencing and responding to divine revelation. It teaches that encountering God's truth should lead to:

• Active Praise: Worship is not merely an internal feeling but an outward expression of thanksgiving and adoration.
• Verbal Testimony: Sharing what God has done and revealed is a natural outflow of genuine faith.
• Trust in God's Word: The confirmation of the angelic message builds faith and reinforces the reliability of divine communication.
• Gratitude: Recognizing God's hand in events, both grand and humble, cultivates a spirit of thankfulness.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event is a pivotal moment in salvation history. It marks the tangible arrival of the Messiah, the fulfillment of promises made to Israel and humanity since the Fall. The shepherds' worship echoes the worship of the wise men (Matthew 2:11) and the prophetic pronouncements of Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-38), all testifying to the significance of Jesus' birth. It initiates the "good news" (Gospel) that will be spread throughout the world, fulfilling the angelic proclamation of "peace on earth, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).

Analogies

• A Verified Report: Imagine a crucial news report being confirmed by multiple independent sources. The shepherds' experience is like receiving a report from an angelic source, then personally verifying it with their own eyes and ears, leading to complete confidence and enthusiastic endorsement.
• A Life-Changing Discovery: It is akin to an explorer discovering a new continent or a scientist making a groundbreaking discovery that revolutionizes understanding. The shepherds' encounter with the incarnate God fundamentally altered their worldview and prompted a profound response.
• A Personal Invitation: Receiving a personal invitation to a royal event and then attending to find it even more magnificent than described. Their initial information was accurate, but the reality surpassed their expectations, leading to overwhelming joy.

Relation to Other Verses

• Luke 2:10-14: This passage directly precedes Luke 2:20, detailing the angelic announcement that the shepherds are now confirming.
• Luke 2:17: The shepherds, having seen Jesus, "spread the word concerning what they had been told about this child." This verse shows the immediate consequence of their experience and their glorifying of God.
• John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This verse speaks to the divine nature of Jesus, whose birth the shepherds witnessed.
• Hebrews 1:1-3: This passage highlights God speaking through prophets and, in these last days, through His Son, emphasizing Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God, a truth the shepherds were among the first to apprehend.