Bible / Luke
Luke 2
Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (1749–1752), the traditional Catholic English Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate. If you read a modern Bible, this is the same Scripture in older English; some names are spelled differently (Cesarea for Caesarea, Apocalypse for Revelation). About this translation
1 And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
2 This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David.
5 To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
6 And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. CCC
8 And there were in the same country shepherds watching and keeping the night watches over their flock. CCC · Fathers
9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them and the brightness of God shone round about them: and they feared with a great fear. CCC
10 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people: CCC
11 For, this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. CCC · Fathers
12 And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. CCC
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: CCC
14 Glory to God in the highest: and on earth peace to men of good will. CCC
15 And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.
16 And they came with haste: and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.
18 And all that heard wondered: and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. CCC
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Fathers
21 And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. CCC
22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: CCC · Fathers
23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:
24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons:
25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon: and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was in him. CCC
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. CCC
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, CCC
28 He also took him into his arms and blessed God and said
29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace: Fathers
30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel. CCC
33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be contradicted. CCC
35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed. CCC
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was far advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.
37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years: who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.
38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord: and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. CCC · Fathers
39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom: and the grace of God was in him.
41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch. CCC
42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast,
43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents knew it not.
44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance.
45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers.
48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. CCC
49 And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father’s business? CCC
50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. CCC
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace with God and men. CCC
This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church
Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text. The Catechism uses modern verse numbers, so these are listed by chapter.
Read the Catechism
- CCC 515 “The Gospels were written by men who were among the first to have the faith 174 and wanted to share it with…”
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 333 “From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When…”
- CCC 486 “The Father's only Son, conceived as man in the womb of the Virgin Mary, is "Christ", that is to say, anointed by…”
- CCC 525 “Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this…”
“to the shepherds who were keeping watch by night.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter VII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 333 “From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 333 “From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When…”
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 333 “From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When…”
- CCC 437 “To the shepherds, the angel announced the birth of Jesus as the Messiah promised to Israel: "To you is born this day…”
- CCC 448 “Very often in the Gospels people address Jesus as "Lord". This title testifies to the respect and trust of those who approach…”
- CCC 695 “Anointing. the symbolism of anointing with oil also signifies the Holy Spirit, to the point of becoming a synonym for the Holy…”
“And the angel of the Lord, he says, appeared to the shepherds, proclaiming joy to them: "For”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter X. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 333 “From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 333 “From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 333 “From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When…”
- CCC 559 “How will Jerusalem welcome her Messiah? Although Jesus had always refused popular attempts to make him king, he chooses the time and…”
- CCC 725 “Finally, through Mary, the Holy Spirit begins to bring men, the objects of God's merciful love, into communion with Christ. and the…”
Read the Fathers
“Wherefore he adds: "The shepherds returned, glorifying God for all which they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter X. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 527 “Jesus' circumcision, on the eighth day after his birth, is the sign of his incorporation into Abraham's descendants, into the people of…”
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 529 “The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord. With Simeon and…”
- CCC 583 “Like the prophets before him Jesus expressed the deepest respect for the Temple in Jerusalem. It was in the Temple that Joseph…”
“… written in the law of the Lord, That every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord; and that they should offer a sacrifice, as it is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons:”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter X. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 711 “Behold, I am doing a new thing." Two prophetic lines were to develop, one leading to the expectation of the Messiah, the…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 695 “Anointing. the symbolism of anointing with oil also signifies the Holy Spirit, to the point of becoming a synonym for the Holy…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 695 “Anointing. the symbolism of anointing with oil also signifies the Holy Spirit, to the point of becoming a synonym for the Holy…”
Read the Fathers
“… "blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter X. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 713 “The Messiah's characteristics are revealed above all in the "Servant songs." These songs proclaim the meaning of Jesus' Passion and show how…”
Read the Catechism
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 711 “Behold, I am doing a new thing." Two prophetic lines were to develop, one leading to the expectation of the Messiah, the…”
“… and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." And "Anna”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book III, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter X. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism
- CCC 534 “The finding of Jesus in the temple is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 503 “Mary's virginity manifests God's absolute initiative in the Incarnation. Jesus has only God as Father. "He was never estranged from the Father…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 503 “Mary's virginity manifests God's absolute initiative in the Incarnation. Jesus has only God as Father. "He was never estranged from the Father…”
- CCC 534 “The finding of Jesus in the temple is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years…”
- CCC 2599 “The Son of God who became Son of the Virgin learned to pray in his human heart. He learns to pray from…”
Read the Catechism
- CCC 517 “Christ's whole life is a mystery of redemption. Redemption comes to us above all through the blood of his cross, but this…”
- CCC 531 “During the greater part of his life Jesus shared the condition of the vast majority of human beings: a daily life spent…”
- CCC 2599 “The Son of God who became Son of the Virgin learned to pray in his human heart. He learns to pray from…”
- CCC 94 “Thanks to the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the understanding of both the realities and the words of the heritage of faith…”
- Luke 2:61 in modern BiblesCCC 525
Read the Catechism
- CCC 525 “Jesus was born in a humble stable, into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this…”
A modern English Catholic translation will be added once its publisher grants permission.