March 11 Bible Reading
From the Original 1599 Geneva Bible Notes

Passage 1: Leviticus 19
Passage 2: Psalms 119:81-128
Passage 3: Luke 2


Passage 1: Leviticus 19

(Lev 19:1) And the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,

(Lev 19:2) Speake vnto all the Congregation of the children of Israel, and say vnto them, Ye shalbe holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

(Notes Reference) Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be (a) holy: for I the LORD your God [am] holy.

(a) That is, void of all pollution, idolatry and superstition both of soul and body.

(Lev 19:3) Yee shall feare euery man his mother and his father, and shall keepe my Sabbaths: for I am the Lord your God.

(Lev 19:4) Ye shall not turne vnto idoles, nor make you molten gods: I am the Lord your God.

(Lev 19:5) And when yee shall offer a peace offering vnto the Lord, ye shall offer it freely.

(Notes Reference) And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it (b) at your own will.

(b) Of your own accord.

(Lev 19:6) It shall be eaten the day yee offer it, or on the morowe: and that which remaineth vntill the third day, shalbe burnt in the fire.

(Lev 19:7) For if it be eaten the third day, it shall be vncleane, it shall not be accepted.

(Notes Reference) And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it [is] abominable; it shall not be (c) accepted.

(c) To wit, of God.

(Lev 19:8) Therefore he that eateth it, shall beare his iniquitie, because he hath defiled the halowed thing of the Lord, and that person shalbe cut off from his people.

(Lev 19:9) When yee reape the haruest of your land, ye shall not reape euery corner of your field, neither shalt thou gather the glainings of thy haruest.

(Lev 19:10) Thou shalt not gather the grapes of thy vineyarde cleane, neyther gather euery grape of thy vineyarde, but thou shalt leaue them for the poore and for the straunger: I am the Lord your God.

(Lev 19:11) Ye shall not steale, neither deale falsely, neither lie one to another.

(Notes Reference) Ye shall not steal, neither (d) deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

(d) In that which is committed to your credit.

(Lev 19:12) Also yee shall not sweare by my name falsely, neither shalt thou defile the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

(Lev 19:13) Thou shalt not do thy neighbour wrong, neither rob him. The workemans hire shall not abide with thee vntil the morning.

(Lev 19:14) Thou shalt not curse the deafe, neither put a stumbling blocke before the blinde, but shalt feare thy God: I am the Lord.

(Lev 19:15) Ye shall not doe vniustly in iudgement. Thou shalt not fauour the person of the poore, nor honour the person of the mightie, but thou shalt iudge thy neighbour iustly.

(Lev 19:16) Thou shalt not walke about with tales among thy people. Thou shalt not stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt not (e) go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou (f) stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I [am] the LORD.

(e) As a slanderer, backbiter, or quarrel picker.

(f) By consenting to his death, or conspiring with the wicked.

(Lev 19:17) Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart, but thou shalt plainely rebuke thy neighbour, and suffer him not to sinne.

(Lev 19:18) Thou shalt not auenge, nor be mindful of wrong against ye childre of thy people, but shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe: I am the Lord.

(Lev 19:19) Yee shall keepe mine ordinances. Thou shalt not let thy cattel gender with others of diuers kindes. Thou shalt not sowe thy fielde with mingled seede, neyther shall a garment of diuers thinges, as of linen and wollen come vpon thee.

(Notes Reference) Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a (g) diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.

(g) As a horse to leap an ass, or a mule a mare.

(Lev 19:20) Whosoeuer also lyeth and medleth with a woman that is a bonde mayde, affianced to a husband, and not redeemed, nor freedome giuen her, she shalbe scourged, but they shall not die, because she is not made free.

(Lev 19:21) And he shall bring for his trespasse offring vnto the Lord, at the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, a ramme for a trespasse offering.

(Lev 19:22) Then the Priest shall make an atonement for him with the ramme of the trespasse offering before the Lord, concerning his sinne which he hath done, and pardon shalbe giuen him for his sinne which he hath committed.

(Lev 19:23) Also when ye shall come into the land, and haue planted euery tree for meate, ye shall count the fruite thereof as vncircumcised: three yeere shall it be vncircumcised vnto you, it shall not be eaten:

(Notes Reference) And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye (h) shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

(h) It shall be unclean as that thing, which is not circumcised.

(Lev 19:24) But in the fourth yere all the fruite thereof shalbe holy to the praise of the Lord.

(Lev 19:25) And in the fifth yeere shall ye eate of the fruite of it that it may yeelde to you the encrease thereof: I am the Lord your God.

(Lev 19:26) Ye shall not eat the flesh with the blood, ye shall not vse witchcraft, nor obserue times.

(Notes Reference) Ye shall not eat [any thing] with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor (i) observe times.

(i) To measure lucky or unlucky days.

(Lev 19:27) Ye shall not cut rounde the corners of your heades, neither shalt thou marre the tuftes of thy beard.

(Notes Reference) Ye shall not (k) round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

(k) As did the Gentiles in sign of mourning.

(Lev 19:28) Ye shall not cut your flesh for the dead, nor make any print of a marke vpon you: I am the Lord,

(Notes Reference) Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any (l) marks upon you: I [am] the LORD.

(l) By whipping your bodies or burning marks in them.

(Lev 19:29) Thou shalt not make thy daughter common, to cause her to be a whore, least the lande also fall to whoredome, and the lande bee full of wickednesse.

(Notes Reference) Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a (m) whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

(m) As did the Cyprians, and Locrenses.

(Lev 19:30) Ye shall keepe my Sabbaths and reuerence my Sanctuarie: I am the Lord.

(Lev 19:31) Ye shall not regarde them that worke with spirites, neither soothsayers: ye shall not seeke to them to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.

(Lev 19:32) Thou shalt rise vp before the horehead, and honour the person of the old man, and dread thy God: I am the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt (n) rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I [am] the LORD.

(n) In token of reverence.

(Lev 19:33) And if a stranger soiourne with thee in your lande, ye shall not vexe him.

(Lev 19:34) But the stranger that dwelleth with you, shalbe as one of your selues, and thou shalt loue him as thy selfe: for ye were strangers in the lad of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

(Lev 19:35) Ye shall not doe vniustly in iudgement, in line, in weight, or in measure.

(Notes Reference) Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in (o) meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

(o) As in measuring the ground.

(Lev 19:36) You shall haue iust ballances, true weightes, a true Ephah, and a true Hin. I am the Lord your God, which haue brought you out of the lande of Egypt.

(Notes Reference) Just balances, just weights, a just (p) ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

(p) By these two measures he means all other. Of Ephah, read (Exo 16:36) and of Hin, (Exo 29:40).

(Lev 19:37) Therefore shall ye obserue all mine ordinances, and all my iudgements, and doe them: I am the Lord.


Passage 2: Psalms 119:81-128

(Psa 119:81) CAPH. My soule fainteth for thy saluation: yet I waite for thy worde.

(Notes Reference) CAPH. My soul (a) fainteth for thy salvation: [but] I hope in thy word.

(a) Though my strength fails me, yet my soul groans and sighs, resting still in your word.

(Psa 119:82) Mine eyes faile for thy promise, saying, when wilt thou comfort me?

(Psa 119:83) For I am like a bottell in the smoke: yet doe I not forget thy statutes.

(Notes Reference) For I am become like a (b) bottle in the smoke; [yet] do I not forget thy statutes.

(b) Like a skin bottle or bladder that is parched in the smoke.

(Psa 119:84) Howe many are the dayes of thy seruant? When wilt thou execute iudgement on them that persecute me?

(Notes Reference) How many [are] the (c) days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

(c) How long will you afflict your servant.

(Psa 119:85) The proude haue digged pittes for mee, which is not after thy Lawe.

(Notes Reference) The proud have (d) digged pits for me, which [are] not after thy law.

(d) They have not only oppressed me violently but also craftily conspired against me.

(Psa 119:86) All thy commandements are true: they persecute me falsely: helpe me.

(Notes Reference) All thy commandments [are] faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; (e) help thou me.

(e) He assures himself that God will deliver his and destroy such as unjustly persecute them.

(Psa 119:87) They had almost consumed me vpon the earth: but I forsooke not thy precepts.

(Notes Reference) They had almost consumed (f) me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

(f) Finding no help on earth, he lifts up his eyes to heaven.

(Psa 119:88) Quicken me according to thy louing kindnes: so shall I keepe the testimony of thy mouth.

(Psa 119:89) LAMED. O Lord, thy worde endureth for euer in heauen.

(Notes Reference) LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in (a) heaven.

(a) Because no one should esteem God's word according to the changes of things in this world, he shows that it abides in heaven, and therefore is immutable.

(Psa 119:90) Thy trueth is from generation to generation: thou hast layed the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.

(Psa 119:91) They continue euen to this day by thine ordinances: for all are thy seruants.

(Notes Reference) They (b) continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all [are] thy servants.

(b) Seeing the earth and all creatures remain in that estate in which you have created them, much more your truth remains constant and unchangeable.

(Psa 119:92) Except thy Lawe had bene my delite, I should now haue perished in mine affliction.

(Psa 119:93) I wil neuer forget thy precepts: for by them thou hast quickened me.

(Psa 119:94) I am thine, saue me: for I haue sought thy precepts.

(Notes Reference) I [am] (c) thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

(c) He proves by effect that he is God's child, because he seeks to understand his word.

(Psa 119:95) The wicked haue waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

(Psa 119:96) I haue seene an ende of all perfection: but thy commandement is exceeding large.

(Notes Reference) I (d) have seen an end of all perfection: [but] thy commandment [is] exceeding broad.

(d) There is nothing so perfect in earth, but it has an end, only God's word lasts forever.

(Psa 119:97) MEM. Oh howe loue I thy Lawe! it is my meditation continually.

(Notes Reference) MEM. O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation (a) all the day.

(a) He shows that we cannot love God's word unless we exercise ourselves in it and practise it.

(Psa 119:98) By thy commandements thou hast made mee wiser then mine enemies: for they are euer with mee.

(Psa 119:99) I haue had more vnderstading then all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

(Notes Reference) I have more (b) understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies [are] my meditation.

(b) Whoever submits himself only to God's word will not only be safe against the practises of his enemies, but also learn more wisdom than they who profess it, and are men of experience.

(Psa 119:100) I vnderstoode more then the ancient, because I kept thy precepts.

(Psa 119:101) I haue refrained my feete from euery euil way, that I might keepe thy word.

(Psa 119:102) I haue not declined from thy iudgements: for thou didest teach me.

(Notes Reference) I have not departed from thy judgments: for (c) thou hast taught me.

(c) So then of ourselves we can do nothing, but when God inwardly instructs us with his spirit, we feel his graces sweeter than honey.

(Psa 119:103) Howe sweete are thy promises vnto my mouth! yea, more then hony vnto my mouth.

(Psa 119:104) By thy precepts I haue gotten vnderstanding: therefore I hate all the wayes of falshoode.

(Psa 119:105) NUN. Thy worde is a lanterne vnto my feete, and a light vnto my path.

(Notes Reference) NUN. Thy word [is] a (a) lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

(a) Of ourselves we are but darkness and cannot see unless we are lightened with God's Word.

(Psa 119:106) I haue sworne and will performe it, that I will keepe thy righteous iudgements.

(Notes Reference) I have (b) sworn, and I will perform [it], that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

(b) So all the faithful ought to bind themselves to God by a solemn oath and promises to stir up their zeal to embrace God's word.

(Psa 119:107) I am very sore afflicted: O Lord, quicken me according to thy word.

(Psa 119:108) O Lord, I beseeche thee accept the free offerings of my mouth, and teach mee thy iudgements.

(Notes Reference) Accept, I beseech thee, the (c) freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

(c) That is, my prayer and thanksgiving which Hosea calls the calves of the lips, (Hos 14:2).

(Psa 119:109) My soule is continually in mine hande: yet doe I not forget thy Lawe.

(Notes Reference) My (d) soul [is] continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

(d) That is, I am in continual danger of my life.

(Psa 119:110) The wicked haue layed a snare for mee: but I swarued not from thy precepts.

(Psa 119:111) Thy testimonies haue I taken as an heritage for euer: for they are the ioy of mine heart.

(Notes Reference) Thy testimonies have I taken as an (e) heritage for ever: for they [are] the rejoicing of my heart.

(e) I esteemed no worldly things, but made your word my inheritance.

(Psa 119:112) I haue applied mine heart to fulfill thy statutes alway, euen vnto the ende.

(Psa 119:113) SAMECH. I hate vaine inuentions: but thy Lawe doe I loue.

(Notes Reference) SAMECH. I hate (a) [vain] thoughts: but thy law do I love.

(a) Whoever will embrace God's word correctly must abhor all fantasies and imaginations both of himself and others.

(Psa 119:114) Thou art my refuge and shield, and I trust in thy worde.

(Psa 119:115) Away from mee, yee wicked: for I will keepe the commandements of my God.

(Notes Reference) (b) Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

(b) And hinder me not to keep the law of the Lord.

(Psa 119:116) Stablish me according to thy promise, that I may liue, and disappoint me not of mine hope.

(Psa 119:117) Stay thou mee, and I shall be safe, and I will delite continually in thy statutes.

(Notes Reference) (c) Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

(c) He desires God's continual assistance, lest he should faint in this race, which he had begun.

(Psa 119:118) Thou hast troden downe all them that depart from thy statutes: for their deceit is vaine.

(Notes Reference) Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their (d) deceit [is] falsehood.

(d) The crafty practises of them who contemn your law will be brought to nothing.

(Psa 119:119) Thou hast taken away all ye wicked of the earth like drosse: therefore I loue thy testimonies.

(Notes Reference) Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth [like] (e) dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

(e) Which infected your people, as dross does metal.

(Psa 119:120) My flesh trembleth for feare of thee, and I am afraide of thy iudgements.

(Notes Reference) My flesh (f) trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

(f) Your judgments not only teach me obedience, but cause me to fear, considering my own weakness which fear causes repentance.

(Psa 119:121) AIN. I haue executed iudgement and iustice: leaue me not to mine oppressours.

(Psa 119:122) Answere for thy seruant in that, which is good, and let not the proude oppresse me.

(Notes Reference) (a) Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

(a) Put yourself between me and my enemies, as if you were my pledge.

(Psa 119:123) Mine eyes haue failed in waiting for thy saluation, and for thy iust promise.

(Psa 119:124) Deale with thy seruant according to thy mercie, and teache me thy statutes.

(Notes Reference) Deal with thy (b) servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

(b) He does not boast that he is God's servant, but by this reminds God that as he made him his by his grace, so he would continue his favour toward him.

(Psa 119:125) I am thy seruant: graunt mee therefore vnderstanding, that I may knowe thy testimonies.

(Psa 119:126) It is time for thee Lord to worke: for they haue destroyed thy Lawe.

(Notes Reference) [It is] (c) time for [thee], LORD, to work: [for] they have made void thy law.

(c) The prophet shows that when the wicked have brought all things to confusion, and God's word to utter contempt, then it is God's time to help and send remedy.

(Psa 119:127) Therefore loue I thy commandements aboue golde, yea, aboue most fine golde.

(Psa 119:128) Therefore I esteeme all thy precepts most iust, and hate all false wayes.

(Notes Reference) Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts [concerning] all [things to be] right; [and] I hate every false (d) way.

(d) That is, whatever dissents from the purity of your word.


Passage 3: Luke 2

(Luk 2:1) And it came to passe in those dayes, that there came a decree from Augustus Cesar, that all the world should be taxed.

(Notes Reference) And (1) it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the (a) world should be (b) taxed.

(1) Christ, the son of God, taking upon himself the form of a servant, and making himself of no reputation, is poorly born in a stable: and by the means of Augustus, the mightiest prince in the world, (thinking nothing of it) has his cradle prepared in Bethlehem, as the prophets foretold.

(a) As far as the empire of the Romans stretched.

(b) That is, the inhabitants of every city should have their names recorded, and their goods rated at a certain value, that the emperor might understand how rich every country, city, family, and house was.

(Luk 2:2) (This first taxing was made when Cyrenius was gouernour of Syria.)

(Luk 2:3) Therefore went all to be taxed, euery man to his owne Citie.

(Luk 2:4) And Ioseph also went vp from Galile out of a citie called Nazareth, into Iudea, vnto the citie of Dauid, which is called Beth-leem (because he was of the house and linage of Dauid,)

(Notes Reference) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the (c) city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

(c) Which David was born and brought up in.

(Luk 2:5) To bee taxed with Marie that was giuen him to wife, which was with childe.

(Luk 2:6) And so it was, that while they were there, the daies were accomplished that shee shoulde be deliuered,

(Luk 2:7) And she brought foorth her first begotten sonne, and wrapped him in swadling clothes, and laide him in a cratch, because there was no roome for them in the ynne.

(Luk 2:8) And there were in the same countrey shepheards, abiding in the fielde, and keeping watch by night ouer their flocke.

(Notes Reference) (2) And there were in the same country shepherds (d) abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

(2) The angels themselves declare to poor shepherds (not at all regarding the pride of the mighty) the Godhead and office of the child lying in the crib.

(d) Living outside, and in the open air.

(Luk 2:9) And loe, the Angel of the Lord came vpon them, and the glorie of the Lord shone about them, and they were sore afraide.

(Notes Reference) And, lo, the angel of the Lord (e) came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

(e) Came suddenly upon them, when they were not at all thinking about such a matter.

(Luk 2:10) Then the Angel saide vnto them, Be not afraid: for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great ioy, that shalbe to all the people,

(Luk 2:11) That is, that vnto you is borne this day in the citie of Dauid, a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord.

(Luk 2:12) And this shalbe a signe to you, Yee shall finde the babe swadled, and laid in a cratch.

(Luk 2:13) And straightway there was with the Angel a multitude of heauenly souldiers, praising God, and saying,

(Notes Reference) And suddenly there was with the angel (f) a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

(f) Whole armies of angels, who compass the majesty of God round about, just as soldiers, as it were.

(Luk 2:14) Glory be to God in the high heauens, and peace in earth, and towards men good will.

(Notes Reference) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, (g) good will toward men.

(g) God's ready, good, infinite, and gracious favour towards men.

(Luk 2:15) And it came to passe whe the Angels were gone away from them into heauen, that the shepheards sayde one to another, Let vs goe then vnto Beth-leem, and see this thing that is come to passe which the Lord hath shewed vnto vs.

(Luk 2:16) So they came with haste, and founde both Marie and Ioseph, and the babe laid in the cratch.

(Luk 2:17) And when they had seene it, they published abroade the thing, that was tolde them of that childe.

(Luk 2:18) And all that heard it, wondred at ye things which were tolde them of the shepheards.

(Luk 2:19) But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondred them in her heart.

(Luk 2:20) And the shepheardes returned glorifiyng and praising God, for all that they had heard and seene as it was spoken vnto them.

(Luk 2:21) And when the eight daies were accomplished, that they shoulde circumcise the childe, his name was then called Iesus, which was named of the Angell, before he was conceiued in the wombe.

(Notes Reference) (3) 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.

(3) Christ, the head of the Church, made subject to the law in order to deliver us from the curse of the law (as the name of Jesus well declares) being circumcised, ratifies and seals in his own flesh the circumcision of the flesh.

(Luk 2:22) And when the daies of her purification after the Lawe of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Hierusalem, to present him to the Lord,

(Notes Reference) (4) And when the days of (h) her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;

(4) Christ, upon whom all our sins were laid, being offered to God according to the law purifies both Mary and us all in himself.

(h) This is meant for the fulfilling of the law: for otherwise the virgin was not defiled, nor unclean, by the birth of this child.

(Luk 2:23) (As it is written in the Lawe of the Lord, Euery man childe that first openeth ye wombe, shalbe called holy to the Lord)

(Luk 2:24) And to giue an oblation, as it is commanded in the Lawe of the Lord, a paire of turtle doues, or two yong pigeons.

(Luk 2:25) And behold, there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon: this man was iust, and feared God, and waited for the consolation of Israel, and the holy Ghost was vpon him.

(Notes Reference) (5) 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 (i) Holy Ghost was upon him.

(5) Simeon openly in the temple foretells the death of the coming of Messiah, of the casting out of the greatest part of Israel, and of the calling of the Gentiles.

(i) He was endued with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and this is said using the figure of speech metonymy.

(Luk 2:26) And it was declared to him from God by the holy Ghost, that he shoulde not see death, before he had seene that Anointed of the Lord.

(Luk 2:27) And he came by the motion of the spirit into the Temple, and when the parents brought in the babe Iesus, to do for him after the custome of the Lawe,

(Notes Reference) And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the (k) parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

(k) Joseph and Mary: and he says "parents" because that is what most of the people then thought.

(Luk 2:28) Then hee tooke him in his armes, and praised God, and sayd,

(Luk 2:29) Lord, nowe lettest thou thy seruaunt depart in peace, according to thy woorde,

(Notes Reference) Lord, now (l) lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy (m) word:

(l) Let me depart out of this life, to be joined to my Father.

(m) As you promised me.

(Luk 2:30) For mine eyes haue seene thy saluation,

(Notes Reference) For (n) mine eyes have seen thy (o) salvation,

(n) That is, for I have seen with my very eyes: for he saw before in mind, as it is said of Abraham, "He saw my day and rejoiced."

(o) That in which your salvation is contained.

(Luk 2:31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,

(Notes Reference) Which thou hast prepared (p) before the face of all people;

(p) As a sign set up in a high place for all men to look upon.

(Luk 2:32) A light to be reueiled to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

(Luk 2:33) And Ioseph and his mother marueiled at those things, which were spoken touching him.

(Luk 2:34) And Simeon blessed them, and saide vnto Mary his mother, Beholde, this childe is appointed for the fall and rising againe of many in Israel, and for a signe which shalbe spoken against,

(Notes Reference) And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is (q) set for the (r) fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a (s) sign which shall be spoken against;

(q) Is appointed and set by God for a mark.

(r) Fall of the reprobate who perishes because of their own fault: and for the rising of the elect, unto whom God will give faith to believe.

(s) That is, a mark, which all men will strive earnestly to hit.

(Luk 2:35) (Yea and a sworde shall pearce through thy soule) that the thoughts of many heartes may be opened.

(Notes Reference) (Yea, a sword shall (t) pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

(t) Will most keenly wound and grieve.

(Luk 2:36) And there was a Prophetesse, one Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser, which was of a great age, after she had liued with an husband seuen yeeres from her virginitie:

(Notes Reference) (6) 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;

(6) Another witness besides Simeon, against whom no objection may be brought, inviting all men to the receiving of the Messiah.

(Luk 2:37) And she was widowe about foure score and foure yeeres, and went not out of the Temple, but serued God with fastings and prayers, night and day.

(Luk 2:38) She then coming at the same instant vpon them, confessed likewise the Lord, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Hierusalem.

(Luk 2:39) And when they had performed all thinges according to the lawe of the Lord, they returned into Galile to their owne citie Nazareth.

(Luk 2:40) And the childe grewe, and waxed strong in Spirit, and was filled with wisedome, and the grace of God was with him.

(Notes Reference) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, (u) filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

(u) As Christ grew up in age, so the virtue of his Godhead showed itself more and more.

(Luk 2:41) Nowe his parents went to Hierusalem euery yeere, at the feast of the Passeouer.

(Notes Reference) (7) Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

(7) The scribes and Pharisees are aroused to hear the wisdom of Christ in his time by an extraordinary deed.

(Luk 2:42) And when hee was twelue yeere olde, and they were come vp to Hierusalem, after the custome of the feast,

(Luk 2:43) And had finished the dayes thereof, as they returned, the childe Iesus remained in Hierusalem, and Ioseph knew not, nor his mother,

(Luk 2:44) But they supposing, that he had bene in the company, went a dayes iourney, and sought him among their kinsfolke, and acquaintance.

(Luk 2:45) And when they found him not, they turned backe to Hierusalem, and sought him.

(Luk 2:46) And it came to passe three dayes after, that they found him in the Temple, sitting in the mids of the doctours, both hearing them, and asking them questions:

(Luk 2:47) And all that heard him, were astonied at his vnderstanding and answeres.

(Luk 2:48) So when they sawe him, they were amased, and his mother said vnto him, Sonne, why hast thou thus dealt with vs? beholde, thy father and I haue sought thee with very heauie hearts.

(Notes Reference) (8) 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.

(8) All duties which we owe to men, even though they are not to be neglected, so are they (according to the position in life which God has set us) not to be preferred before the glory of God.

(Luk 2:49) Then said he vnto them, Howe is it that ye sought me? knewe ye not that I must goe about my Fathers busines?

(Luk 2:50) But they vnderstoode not the word that he spake to them.

(Luk 2:51) Then hee went downe with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subiect to them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

(Notes Reference) (9) 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.

(9) Christ, very man, is made like us in every way except sin.

(Luk 2:52) And Iesus increased in wisedome, and stature, and in fauour with God and men.