Luke 2:17 refers to the shepherds' reaction after visiting the baby Jesus in the manger. Let's break down what the verse means:
"When they saw it...": This refers to the shepherds actually seeing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Bethlehem, just as the angel had told them. They found the scene matching the angelic announcement.
"...they publicized widely...": This means they didn't keep the experience to themselves. They went and told others about what they had witnessed. "Publicized widely" suggests they spread the word to many people, not just a select few.
"...the saying which was spoken to them about this child.": This refers to the message they received from the angels. The angel had told them about the significance of this baby: that he was the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord, and that he would bring peace on Earth.
In essence, Luke 2:17 describes the shepherds' immediate and enthusiastic sharing of the good news they had received about Jesus. They were so moved by their encounter that they felt compelled to tell everyone they met about the angelic message and the baby they had seen.
Significance:
Evangelism: The shepherds serve as the first evangelists, demonstrating the importance of sharing the Gospel.
Witness: Their testimony validates the angelic announcement and contributes to the growing recognition of Jesus' divine nature.
Impact of Encounter: The verse highlights how a personal encounter with Jesus can lead to a desire to share the experience with others.
Humility: God chose humble shepherds to be the first to hear and spread the good news, highlighting the inclusivity of His message.
Luke 2:17 refers to the shepherds' reaction after visiting the baby Jesus in the manger. Let's break down what the verse means:
"When they saw it...": This refers to the shepherds actually seeing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Bethlehem, just as the angel had told them. They found the scene matching the angelic announcement.
"...they publicized widely...": This means they didn't keep the experience to themselves. They went and told others about what they had witnessed. "Publicized widely" suggests they spread the word to many people, not just a select few.
"...the saying which was spoken to them about this child.": This refers to the message they received from the angels. The angel had told them about the significance of this baby: that he was the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord, and that he would bring peace on Earth.
In essence, Luke 2:17 describes the shepherds' immediate and enthusiastic sharing of the good news they had received about Jesus. They were so moved by their encounter that they felt compelled to tell everyone they met about the angelic message and the baby they had seen.
Significance:
Evangelism: The shepherds serve as the first evangelists, demonstrating the importance of sharing the Gospel.
Witness: Their testimony validates the angelic announcement and contributes to the growing recognition of Jesus' divine nature.
Impact of Encounter: The verse highlights how a personal encounter with Jesus can lead to a desire to share the experience with others.
Humility: God chose humble shepherds to be the first to hear and spread the good news, highlighting the inclusivity of His message.