Luke 2 – read and compare multiple versions of the Bible

World English Bible

Luke 2 (WEBP)

[1] Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
[2] This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
[3] All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
[4] Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
[5] to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
[6] While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.
[7] She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
[8] There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
[9] Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
[10] The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
[11] For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
[12] This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
[13] Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,
[14] “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
[15] When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
[16] They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
[17] When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
[18] All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
[19] But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
[20] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
[21] When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
[22] When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
[23] (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
[24] and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
[25] Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
[26] It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
[27] He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
[28] then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,
[29] “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
[30] for my eyes have seen your salvation,
[31] which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
[32] a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
[33] Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him.
[34] Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
[35] Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
[36] There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
[37] and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.
[38] Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
[39] When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
[40] The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
[41] His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.
[42] When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast;
[43] and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,
[44] but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
[45] When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
[46] After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
[47] All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
[48] When they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
[49] He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
[50] They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them.
[51] And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
[52] And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 2:11 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.
Luke 2:23 Exodus 13:2,12
Luke 2:24 Leviticus 12:8
Luke 2:26 “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew) both mean “Anointed One”

Scripture quotations are taken from The World English Bible™ of eBible.org, 2020 stable text edition. It is in the public domain.

King James w/Strong’s #s

Luke 2 (KJVS)

[1] And it came to pass () in those days , that there went out () a decree from Caesar Augustus , that all the world should be taxed ().
[2] ([And] this taxing was first made () when Cyrenius was governor () of Syria .)
[3] And all went () to be taxed (), every one into his own city .
[4] And Joseph also went up () from Galilee , out of the city of Nazareth , into Judaea , unto the city of David , which is called () Bethlehem ; (because he was () of the house and lineage of David :)
[5] To be taxed () with Mary his espoused () wife , being () great with child .
[6] And so it was (), that, while they were () there , the days were accomplished () that she should be delivered ().
[7] And she brought forth () her firstborn son , and wrapped him in swaddling clothes (), and laid () him in a manger ; because there was () no room for them in the inn .
[8] And there were () in the same country shepherds abiding in the field (), keeping () watch over their flock by night .
[9] And , lo (), the angel of the Lord came upon () them , and the glory of the Lord shone round about () them : and they were sore afraid () .
[10] And the angel said () unto them , Fear () not : for , behold (), I bring you good tidings () of great joy , which shall be () to all people .
[11] For unto you is born () this day in the city of David a Saviour , which is () Christ the Lord .
[12] And this [shall be] a sign unto you ; Ye shall find () the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (), lying () in a manger .
[13] And suddenly there was () with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising () God , and saying (),
[14] Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace , good will toward men .
[15] And it came to pass (), as the angels were gone away () from them into heaven , the shepherds said () one to another , Let us now go () even unto Bethlehem , and see () this thing which is come to pass (), which the Lord hath made known () unto us .
[16] And they came () with haste (), and found () Mary , and Joseph , and the babe lying () in a manger .
[17] And when they had seen () [it], they made known abroad () the saying which was told () them concerning this child .
[18] And all they that heard () [it] wondered () at those things which were told () them by the shepherds .
[19] But Mary kept () all these things , and pondered () [them] in her heart .
[20] And the shepherds returned (), glorifying () and praising () God for all the things that they had heard () and seen (), as it was told () unto them .
[21] And when eight days were accomplished () for the circumcising () of the child , his name was called () JESUS , which was so named () of the angel before he was conceived () in the womb .
[22] And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished (), they brought () him to Jerusalem , to present () [him] to the Lord ;
[23] (As it is written () in the law of the Lord , Every male that openeth () the womb shall be called () holy to the Lord ;)
[24] And to offer () a sacrifice according to that which is said () in the law of the Lord , A pair of turtledoves , or two young pigeons .
[25] And , behold (), there was () a man in Jerusalem , whose name [was] Simeon ; and the same man [was] just and devout , waiting () for the consolation of Israel : and the Holy Ghost was () upon him .
[26] And it was () revealed () unto him by the Holy Ghost , that he should not see () death , before he had seen () the Lord’s Christ .
[27] And he came () by the Spirit into the temple : and when the parents brought () in the child Jesus , to do () for him after the custom () of the law ,
[28] Then took he him up () in his arms , and blessed () God , and said (),
[29] Lord , now lettest thou thy servant depart () in peace , according to thy word :
[30] For mine eyes have seen () thy salvation ,
[31] Which thou hast prepared () before the face of all people ;
[32] A light to lighten the Gentiles , and the glory of thy people Israel .
[33] And Joseph and his mother marvelled () () at those things which were spoken () of him .
[34] And Simeon blessed () them , and said () unto Mary his mother , Behold (), this [child] is set () for the fall and rising again of many in Israel ; and for a sign which shall be spoken against ();
[35] (Yea , a sword shall pierce through () thy own soul also ,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed ().
[36] And there was () one Anna , a prophetess , the daughter of Phanuel , of the tribe of Aser : she was of a great age (), and had lived () with an husband seven years from her virginity ;
[37] And she [was] a widow of about fourscore and four years , which departed () not from the temple , but served () [God] with fastings and prayers night and day .
[38] And she coming in () that instant gave thanks likewise () unto the Lord , and spake () of him to all them that looked () for redemption in Jerusalem .
[39] And when they had performed () all things according to the law of the Lord , they returned () into Galilee , to their own city Nazareth .
[40] And the child grew (), and waxed strong () in spirit , filled () with wisdom : and the grace of God was () upon him .
[41] Now his parents went () to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover .
[42] And when he was () twelve years old , they went up () to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast .
[43] And when they had fulfilled () the days , as they returned (), the child Jesus tarried behind () in Jerusalem ; and Joseph and his mother knew () not [of it].
[44] But they, supposing () him to have been () in the company , went () a day’s journey ; and they sought () him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance .
[45] And when they found () him not , they turned back again () to Jerusalem , seeking () him .
[46] And it came to pass (), that after three days they found () him in the temple , sitting () in the midst of the doctors , both hearing () them , and asking them questions ().
[47] And all that heard () him were astonished () at his understanding and answers .
[48] And when they saw () him , they were amazed (): and his mother said () unto him , Son , why hast thou thus dealt () with us ? behold (), thy father and I have sought () thee sorrowing ().
[49] And he said () unto them , How is it that ye sought () me ? wist ye () not that I must () be () about my Father’s business ?
[50] And they understood () not the saying which he spake () unto them .
[51] And he went down () with them , and came () to Nazareth , and was () subject () unto them : but his mother kept () all these sayings in her heart .
[52] And Jesus increased () in wisdom and stature , and in favour with God and man .

Young’s Literal Translation

Luke 2 (YLT)

[1] And it came to pass in those days, there went forth a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world be enrolled-
[2] this enrolment first came to pass when Cyrenius was governor of Syria-
[3] and all were going to be enrolled, each to his proper city,
[4] and Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, that is called Bethlehem, because of his being of the house and family of David,
[5] to enrol himself with Mary his betrothed wife, being with child.
[6] And it came to pass, in their being there, the days were fulfilled for her bringing forth,
[7] and she brought forth her son-the first-born, and wrapped him up, and laid him down in the manger, because there was not for them a place in the guest-chamber.
[8] And there were shepherds in the same region, lodging in the field, and keeping the night-watches over their flock,
[9] and lo, a messenger of the Lord stood over them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they feared a great fear.
[10] And the messenger said to them, ‘Fear not, for lo, I bring you good news of great joy, that shall be to all the people-
[11] because there was born to you to-day a Saviour-who is Christ the Lord-in the city of David,
[12] and this is to you the sign: Ye shall find a babe wrapped up, lying in the manger.’
[13] And suddenly there came with the messenger a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying,
[14] ‘Glory in the highest to God, and upon earth peace, among men-good will.’
[15] And it came to pass, when the messengers were gone away from them to the heavens, that the men, the shepherds, said unto one another, ‘We may go over indeed unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that hath come to pass, that the Lord did make known to us.’
[16] And they came, having hasted, and found both Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger,
[17] and having seen, they made known abroad concerning the saying spoken to them concerning the child.
[18] And all who heard, did wonder concerning the things spoken by the shepherds unto them;
[19] and Mary was preserving all these things, pondering in her heart;
[20] and the shepherds turned back, glorifying and praising God, for all those things they heard and saw, as it was spoken unto them.
[21] And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, then was his name called Jesus, having been so called by the messenger before his being conceived in the womb.
[22] And when the days of their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present to the Lord,
[23] as it hath been written in the Law of the Lord,-‘Every male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord,’
[24] and to give a sacrifice, according to that said in the Law of the Lord, ‘A pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.’
[25] And lo, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name is Simeon, and this man is righteous and devout, looking for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him,
[26] and it hath been divinely told him by the Holy Spirit-not to see death before he may see the Christ of the Lord.
[27] And he came in the Spirit to the temple, and in the parents bringing in the child Jesus, for their doing according to the custom of the law regarding him,
[28] then he took him in his arms, and blessed God, and he said,
[29] ‘Now Thou dost send away Thy servant, Lord, according to Thy word, in peace,
[30] because mine eyes did see Thy salvation,
[31] which Thou didst prepare before the face of all the peoples,
[32] a light to the uncovering of nations, and the glory of Thy people Israel.’
[33] And Joseph and his mother were wondering at the things spoken concerning him,
[34] and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, ‘Lo, this one is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against-
[35] (and also thine own soul shall a sword pass through)-that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed.’
[36] And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she was much advanced in days, having lived with an husband seven years from her virginity,
[37] and she is a widow of about eighty-four years, who did depart not from the temple, with fasts and supplications serving, night and day,
[38] and she, at that hour, having come in, was confessing, likewise, to the Lord, and was speaking concerning him, to all those looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
[39] And when they finished all things, according to the Law of the Lord, they turned back to Galilee, to their city Nazareth;
[40] and the child grew and was strengthened in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
[41] And his parents were going yearly to Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover,
[42] and when he became twelve years old, they having gone up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,
[43] and having finished the days, in their returning the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother did not know,
[44] and, having supposed him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and were seeking him among the kindred and among the acquaintances,
[45] and not having found him, they turned back to Jerusalem seeking him.
[46] And it came to pass, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them,
[47] and all those hearing him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
[48] And, having seen him, they were amazed, and his mother said unto him, ‘Child, why didst thou thus to us? lo, thy father and I, sorrowing, were seeking thee.’
[49] And he said unto them, ‘Why is it that ye were seeking me? did ye not know that in the things of my Father it behoveth me to be?’
[50] and they did not understand the saying that he spake to them,
[51] and he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and he was subject to them, and his mother was keeping all these sayings in her heart,
[52] and Jesus was advancing in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and men.