Shepherds Abiding in the Field

The words

1. Abiding

   Living out in the field, in the NET’s wording.

   Luke introduces the shepherds abiding in the field and keeping watch over their flock by night, before the angel appears to them.

   Luke 2:8–9 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 2:8-14 (opens a new tab)

2. Angel

   The angel tells the frightened shepherds not to fear, announces a Savior born in David’s city and gives them a sign for finding the child.

   Luke 2:9–12 (opens a new tab)

3. Babe

   The angel describes a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger; the shepherds later find Mary, Joseph and the baby lying there.

   Luke 2:12 (opens a new tab) · Luke 2:16 (opens a new tab)

4. Field

   Luke begins the scene with shepherds outdoors at night, watching their flock; the angel’s appearance brings the announcement into this working setting.

   Did you know?

   Cleveland Orchestra’s notes describe the Pifa in Handel’s Messiah as setting the shepherds’ scene, with strings playing over sustained bass notes.

   Luke 2:8–10 (opens a new tab) · Cleveland Orchestra: Messiah (opens a new tab)

5. Flock

   The flock is what the shepherds are watching by night when the angel appears; Luke’s attention then turns to the birth announcement.

   Luke 2:8–11 (opens a new tab)

6. Glory

   The Lord’s glory shines around the shepherds when the angel appears; they are afraid, and the angel begins by telling them not to fear.

   Luke 2:9–10 (opens a new tab)

7. Heavenly Host

   Heaven’s army, in the NET’s rendering.

   A multitude of the heavenly host suddenly joins the angel, praising God; Luke then gives their words before telling how the angels depart into heaven.

   Luke 2:13–14 (opens a new tab) · Luke 2:15 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 2:8-14 (opens a new tab)

8. Highest

   The heavenly company’s praise begins “Glory to God in the highest,” then turns to peace on earth in the KJV’s wording.

   Luke 2:13–14 (opens a new tab)

9. Manger

   A feeding trough, in the NET’s wording.

   The manger is part of the angel’s sign: the shepherds are to find a wrapped baby lying there, and Luke later describes them doing so.

   Luke 2:12 (opens a new tab) · Luke 2:16 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 2:15-20 (opens a new tab)

10. Multitude

    Luke says the multitude appears suddenly with the angel and praises God; after the angels leave, the shepherds decide to go to Bethlehem.

    Luke 2:13 (opens a new tab) · Luke 2:15 (opens a new tab)

11. Peace

    The KJV includes “good will toward men” in the heavenly praise. The NET speaks instead of peace among people with whom God is pleased.

    Luke 2:14 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 2:8-14 (opens a new tab)

12. Pondered

    After the hearers marvel at the shepherds’ report, Luke turns to Mary, who keeps these things and ponders them in her heart.

    Did you know?

    Luke returns to Mary’s keeping things in her heart after the temple visit, when Jesus goes back with his parents to Nazareth.

    Luke 2:17–19 (opens a new tab) · Luke 2:41–51 (opens a new tab)

13. Saviour

    The angel calls the child “a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord,” saying he is born that day in the city of David.

    Luke 2:11 (opens a new tab)

14. Shepherds

    Luke describes the shepherds arriving in haste, telling others what they heard about the child and returning with praise for what they have heard and seen.

    Luke 2:16–20 (opens a new tab)

15. Tidings

    News; the NET renders good tidings as good news.

    The angel’s good tidings bring great joy for all people, followed by the announcement of a Savior and the sign of the baby in a manger.

    Did you know?

    Isaiah 52:7 also pairs “good tidings” with peace, picturing a messenger’s feet on the mountains bringing news to Zion.

    Luke 2:10–12 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 2:8-14 (opens a new tab) · Isaiah 52:7 (opens a new tab)