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Luke: An Introduction and Commentary G. The Birth of Jesus (2:1–7)

We know only that everything points to poverty, obscurity and even rejection. There

Luke: An Introduction and Commentary G. The Birth of Jesus (2:1–7)

Another possibility is that the word does not mean inn here, but a room in a house (as in 22:11). It had been meant for Joseph and Mary, but was occupied by others by the time they arrived.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting.”

(

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

The New King James Version Chapter 8

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

a manger—the manger, the bench to which the horses’ heads were tied, on which their food could rest [Webster and Wilkinson].

a manger—the manger, the bench to which the horses’ heads were tied, on which their food could rest [Webster and Wilkinson].

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 98). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

no room in the inn—a square erection, open inside, where travellers put up, and whose rear parts were used as stables. The ancient tradition, that our Lord was born in a grotto or cave, is quite consistent with this, the country being rocky. In Mary’s condition the journey would be a slow one, and ere they arrived, the inn would be fully occupied—affecting anticipation of the reception He was throughout to meet with ().

no room in the inn—a square erection, open inside, where travellers put up, and whose rear parts were used as stables. The ancient tradition, that our Lord was born in a grotto or cave, is quite consistent with this, the country being rocky. In Mary’s condition the journey would be a slow one, and ere they arrived, the inn would be fully occupied—affecting anticipation of the reception He was throughout to meet with ().

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 98). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Wrapt in His swaddling—bands,

Wrapt in His swaddling—bands,

And in His manger laid,

The hope and glory of all lands

Is come to the world’s aid.

No peaceful home upon His cradle smiled,

Guests rudely went and came where slept the royal Child.

——Keble

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 98). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Bethlehem is a Hebrew word meaning “house of bread.”

Bethlehem is a Hebrew word meaning “house of bread.”

Larson, B., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1983). Luke (Vol. 26, p. 48). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.