Bible Strands
Luke 2:17
After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The shepherds, having just located Mary, Joseph, and the infant in the manger, turn to the surrounding crowd and recount the angelic announcement they witnessed. Their report occurs immediately after their discovery and before the listeners react with amazement.
The words — ἐγνώρισαν (egnōrisan) means "they made known," and ῥήματος (rhēmatos) means "declaration" or "message." These terms specify that the shepherds verbally communicated the exact content of the angelic announcement rather than offering personal commentary.
The thread — This pattern of proclaiming a witnessed divine message appears in Psalms 66:16, Psalms 71:17, and Luke 8:39, where believers are directed to declare what God has done or spoken. The shepherds' action aligns with the biblical mandate to verbally report specific divine encounters.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that witnessing a divine event obligates immediate verbal transmission of the exact message received. It demands a response of factual reporting rather than speculative interpretation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Cross-references
- Psalms 66:16 Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for me.
- Luke 8:39 “Return home and describe how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and proclaimed all over the town how much Jesus had done for him.
- Psalms 71:17 O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds.
- Luke 2:38 Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
- Psalms 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell securely.
- Malachi 3:16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.
- John 1:41 He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ).
- John 4:28 Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people,