Luke 2:9

Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))

فحَضَرَهم مَلاكُ الرَّبِّ وأَشرَقَ مَجدُ الرَّبِّ حَولَهم، فخافوا خَوفًا شَديدًا.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse from Luke's Gospel, an angel appears to some shepherds and the glory of God shines around them, which makes them very scared. The angel is not speaking directly in this verse; it describes the moment before the angel speaks about the birth of Jesus.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing outside at night when suddenly a bright light shows up, almost like a spotlight. It's so bright and beautiful that it scares you but also fills your heart with wonder, just like how these shepherds felt when they saw God’s glory shining around them during the visit of an angel.

Historical Background

This verse is from the Gospel of Luke, written by Luke, a physician and companion of Paul. It was likely written between AD 80-100 for a broader Greek-speaking audience. At that time, shepherds were often looked down upon but were chosen to receive this divine message about Jesus' birth.

Living It Out Today

Think about times when you've felt scared because something unexpected happened. Like if you hear a loud noise in your house late at night and feel afraid but then find out it was just the wind. This verse reminds us that even scary moments can lead to wonderful revelations or realizations in our lives.

Topics

• divine appearance
• glory of God
• shepherds
• fear and faith
• annunciation
• Christmas story

Related Verses

• Isaiah 60:1-3
• Matthew 28:2-4
• Luke 9:29-32
• Acts 9:3-7
• Revelation 21:11

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the shepherds afraid when they saw the angel and God’s glory?

People often feel fear in the presence of divine beings due to a sense of unworthiness or the sheer power and majesty of the divine. The sudden appearance could also be startling.

What does 'the glory of the Lord' refer to in this context?

'The glory of the Lord' refers to God’s radiance, a manifestation of His presence and power, often described as light or brilliance in biblical texts.

How did Luke's audience react when they heard about this event?

As Greek-speaking people, Luke’s readers would likely have been intrigued by the divine intervention. The story would resonate with themes of prophecy fulfillment and God’s involvement in human affairs.

What can we learn from the shepherds' reaction to seeing an angel?

We can learn that encountering something divine or supernatural can evoke strong emotions, including fear. However, these encounters often lead to profound revelations about our faith and understanding of God’s plan.