Luke 2:9 - Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
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What does "Luke 2:9" mean?
Luke 2:9 describes the encounter of shepherds with an angel of the Lord near Bethlehem. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them": This introduces a sudden and unexpected appearance. The phrase "an angel of the Lord" signifies a messenger from God, acting on God's behalf. The angel's standing "by them" indicates a close proximity and direct interaction. The use of "Behold" draws attention to something significant.
"and the glory of the Lord shone around them": This is a manifestation of God's divine presence. "Glory" refers to God's radiant holiness, power, and majesty. It's a visible manifestation of the divine. This wasn't merely a light source, but a tangible demonstration of God's presence.
"and they were terrified": This is a natural reaction to encountering a divine being and experiencing such overwhelming glory. Fear in the Bible is often a response to the holiness and power of God, a recognition of one's own unworthiness in comparison. The shepherds, being ordinary working people, would have been particularly overwhelmed by this experience.
Overall Meaning:
The verse emphasizes the divine nature of the announcement about to be given. The angel's appearance, accompanied by the radiant glory of God, underscores the importance and authority of the message. The shepherds' terror highlights the contrast between the divine realm and the human realm, and the appropriate response of awe and reverence to God's presence. It sets the stage for a profound and life-changing revelation.
Luke 2:9 - Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
What does "Luke 2:9" mean?
Luke 2:9 describes the encounter of shepherds with an angel of the Lord near Bethlehem. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them": This introduces a sudden and unexpected appearance. The phrase "an angel of the Lord" signifies a messenger from God, acting on God's behalf. The angel's standing "by them" indicates a close proximity and direct interaction. The use of "Behold" draws attention to something significant.
"and the glory of the Lord shone around them": This is a manifestation of God's divine presence. "Glory" refers to God's radiant holiness, power, and majesty. It's a visible manifestation of the divine. This wasn't merely a light source, but a tangible demonstration of God's presence.
"and they were terrified": This is a natural reaction to encountering a divine being and experiencing such overwhelming glory. Fear in the Bible is often a response to the holiness and power of God, a recognition of one's own unworthiness in comparison. The shepherds, being ordinary working people, would have been particularly overwhelmed by this experience.
Overall Meaning:
The verse emphasizes the divine nature of the announcement about to be given. The angel's appearance, accompanied by the radiant glory of God, underscores the importance and authority of the message. The shepherds' terror highlights the contrast between the divine realm and the human realm, and the appropriate response of awe and reverence to God's presence. It sets the stage for a profound and life-changing revelation.