Luke 2

Inhabited world renders οἰκουμένη (oikoumenē), the settled earth — in practice the Roman world.

The first registration — the Greek may also be read “before Quirinius governed”, and it is left as it stands.

Each to his own city — the going is what brings them to Bethlehem.

The city of David — named twice, and it is the reason for the journey.

Was pregnant — the Greek says only that, and does not say how far along.

The days were fulfilled — the same phrase as at 1:57.

Lodging room renders κατάλυμα (katalyma) — not an inn. This book uses the inn-word (πανδοχεῖον, pandocheion) at 10:34 and the same word as here for the upper room at 22:11. Manger (φάτνη, phatnē) is a feeding trough — the same word as at 13:15.

Keeping watch by night keeps a Greek doubling — “keeping the watches of the night”.

Feared a great fear keeps the Greek doubling, as at Mark 4:41.

I bring you good news renders one verb (εὐαγγελίζομαι, euangelizomai), built on the gospel-word.

Christ the Lord — the two titles stand together, and the phrase is used once in the four Gospels.

The sign is a baby in a feeding trough — nothing more.

Host (στρατιά, stratia) is an army word.

Among people of his good pleasure — the manuscripts differ, and the other reading gives “peace, good pleasure among people”. The base text of this edition has the first. 19:38 turns this line over, putting the peace in heaven.

This thing renders ῥῆμα (rhēma), which is both “word” and “thing”. English uses “word” for this and for λόγος (logos) alike — recorded as a loss.

In haste — the same word as at 1:39.

They made known — the shepherds are the first to tell it.

Marvelled — the hearers, not the shepherds.

Pondering (συμβάλλω, symballō) is to throw together, to weigh one thing against another — the same verb stands at 14:31, and English does not join the two places with one word. Recorded as a loss.

Glorifying and praising — two verbs, as at verse 13.

Before he was conceived — the naming was given at 1:31.

Their purification — the Greek says “their”, though the law spoke of the mother. The text is left as it stands.

Opens the womb keeps the Semitic turn word for word.

Two young pigeons — the offering the law allowed for those who could not afford a lamb.

Consolation (παράκλησις, paraklēsis) shares its root with the Paraclete of John 14:16.

Disclosed (χρηματίζω, chrēmatizō) is the word of Matthew 2:12 — a divine direction.

When the parents brought in — the Greek here is an infinitive with its own subject, and English must open a clause. Recorded as a loss.

Took him into his arms — the same gesture as Mark 9:36.

Master renders δεσπότης (despotēs), the owner of a household — this edition keeps it apart from the Lord-word. Servant is the slave-word.

Your salvation — the Greek noun is neuter, so it is a thing seen, not only a state.

Before the face keeps a Semitic turn.

A light for revelation to the nations — the nations are named before Israel.

His father and mother — the Greek says “father”, and the manuscripts differ.

Falling and rising — the two are put in one phrase, and the order is not reversed.

Your own life renders ψυχή (psychē), often rendered “soul”. Sword here is ῥομφαία (rhomphaia), a long Thracian blade — this edition keeps it apart from the ordinary sword-word.

Advanced in many days keeps the Semitic turn of 1:7.

Until eighty-four years — the Greek may mean her age or the length of her widowhood, and it is not settled. Serving is λατρεύω (latreuō), the service given to God.

Redemption (λύτρωσις, lytrōsis) is the word of 1:68.

They returned to Galilee — this book has no flight to Egypt.

Grew and became strong — the same words as of John at 1:80.

Every year — the writer makes the journey a habit before telling the one that went wrong.

Twelve years old — the only word this book gives of the years between.

Did not know it — the writer says plainly that the parents did not notice.

A day's journey — the distance before they miss him.

Searching (ἀναζητέω, anazēteō) is a strengthened form of the seek-verb.

Listening and questioning — the boy is a learner here, not a teacher.

Astounded (ἐξίστημι, existēmi) is one of six amazement-verbs this edition keeps apart.

Your father and I — Mary says it, and verse 49 answers with another Father.

My Father's things renders a Greek phrase that is only an article and a possessive — “the things of my Father”. It may be read as his house, his business, or his people. English must add “things”, which the text does not have. Recorded as a loss.

They did not understand — the writer says it of the parents, as he says it of the disciples later.

Was subject to them — the Greek is a passive of the verb for ordering under.

Stature (ἡλικία, hēlikia) is also “span of life” — Greek does not settle which, as at Matthew 6:27.