Luke 2:20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The shepherds didn't just hear the angelic message; they returned to their flocks actively glorifying and praising God because what they saw—the baby in the manger—perfectly matched everything the angels had told them. This incredible alignment between divine announcement and earthly reality solidified their faith and sent them back filled with awe.
After an astonishing angelic announcement and a visit to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem, these humble shepherds, having seen and heard confirmation of the angel's message, left the manger. They returned to their fields, not with indifference, but filled with awe and gratitude, their hearts overflowing with praise to God for the incredible events they had witnessed.
They heard the angels, saw the baby, and now... what happens next? The shepherds' journey doesn't end at the manger.
The shepherds' response wasn't just passive awe; it was active worship. They didn't just leave the scene; they returned 'glorifying and praising God.' This shows that encountering God's truth isn't meant to be a one-time event but a catalyst for ongoing worship and a transformed life. Their experience moved from the shock of hearing the angelic news to the deep conviction of seeing the Savior, which then erupted into praise.
The angels told them what to expect. But what happened when the divine message met the undeniable reality of a newborn King?
The shepherds' experience highlights the power of confirmation. The angelic message was incredible, almost too good to be true. Yet, when they went to Bethlehem and saw the baby, 'as it had been told them,' their faith was solidified. Seeing and experiencing the reality of God's promises firsthand transforms belief into confident assurance. What they heard from heaven matched what they saw on earth.
These weren't dignitaries or scholars, but simple shepherds. Yet, God chose them to be the first witnesses and heralds.
God's choice of shepherds to receive the first announcement of Jesus' birth and to spread the news underscores His heart for the humble and the overlooked. Their subsequent return to their flocks, filled with praise, shows they became the first evangelists. This demonstrates that no one is too insignificant for God's purposes. Their simple, honest faith made them perfect vessels to carry and share the greatest news the world would ever hear.
Understand the original words
doxazō · Greek Verb
To ascribe honor, dignity, and recognition to God; it is the act of acknowledging His divine nature and revealing His majesty to others.
aineō · Greek Verb
To express joyful approval, exaltation, and worship towards God; it is a declaration of His excellence and a response to His grace and deeds.
The shepherds' return, glorifying God, highlights the immediate impact of the good news. Their experience demonstrates how encountering God's promises fulfilled leads to joyful praise and the sharing of faith.
c. 4 BC— this verse
Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
Jesus is born in Bethlehem, likely around 4 BC, during the reign of Herod the Great. This event marks the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
c. 4 BC
Angelic Announcement to Shepherds
A heavenly host of angels appears to humble shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem, announcing the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord.
c. 4 BC
Shepherds Visit the Christ Child
Prompted by the angelic message, the shepherds travel to Bethlehem and find Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus lying in a manger.
c. 4 BC
Shepherds Spread the News
After seeing Jesus and confirming the angelic message, the shepherds share the news of the Messiah's birth with others, causing wonder.
This passage echoes the shepherds' response by listing blessings that should lead us to praise and glorify God, just as the shepherds did after encountering the miraculous news of Jesus' birth.
Isaiah 9:6-7The shepherds' experience directly fulfilled this prophecy of a child who would bring peace and justice. Their praise for the newborn King reflects the joy anticipated in this prophetic announcement.
Luke 1:46-55Mary's Magnificat, sung upon hearing of her impending pregnancy, parallels the shepherds' praise. Both songs express profound gratitude and awe for God's intervention and His promises to Israel.
Matthew 28:8-10Similar to the shepherds, the women at the tomb did not delay in responding to the angelic message, going to tell the disciples and in their own way glorifying God for the resurrection.
Acts 2:11The astonishment and praise of the crowds at Pentecost, hearing the apostles speak in different languages, mirrors the wonder and glorifying of God that the shepherds experienced and spread.
barnesLuke 2:20: "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
The shepherds returned - To their flocks. Glorifying ... - Giving honor to God, and celebrating his praises.
jfbLuke 2:20: "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
- glorifying and praising God, &c.—The latter word, used of the song of the angels (Lu 2:13), and in Lu 19:37, and Lu 24:53, leads us to suppose that theirs was a song too, probably some canticle from the Psalter—meet vehicle for the swelling emotions of their simple hearts at what "they had heard and seen."
The shepherds didn't just hear the angelic message; they returned to their flocks actively glorifying and praising God because what they saw—the baby in the manger—perfectly matched everything the angels had told them. This incredible alignment between divine announcement and earthly reality solidified their faith and sent them back filled with awe.
After an astonishing angelic announcement and a visit to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem, these humble shepherds, having seen and heard confirmation of the angel's message, left the manger. They returned to their fields, not with indifference, but filled with awe and gratitude, their hearts overflowing with praise to God for the incredible events they had witnessed.
After an astonishing angelic announcement and a visit to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem, these humble shepherds, having seen and heard confirmation of the angel's message, left the manger. They returned to their fields, not with indifference, but filled with awe and gratitude, their hearts overflowing with praise to God for the incredible events they had witnessed.
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c. 4 BC
Mary Reflects on the Events
Mary treasures and ponders the miraculous events and the angelic words, holding them in her heart as she cares for her newborn son.
"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them." — The shepherds didn't just hear the angelic message; they returned to their flocks actively glorifying and praising God because what they saw—the baby in the manger—perfectly matched everything th…
