And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

LUKE 2:10KJV
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Luke 2:10 (KJV)

What does Luke 2:10 mean?

Luke 2:10 tells how an angel answers the fear of shepherds with an announcement meant to bring great joy. The angel addresses the shepherds directly, but says the good news is intended for “all people,” not just for those listening that night.

The words “Fear not” respond to the shepherds’ alarm when the angel appeared in verse 9. “Behold” calls their attention to the message that follows. The angel’s announcement prepares the shepherds to hear about the child’s birth and where to find him.

The Greek behind Luke 2:10

  • “bring you good tidings” — εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō): This word means to announce good news. The Greek expresses the act of bringing the announcement, rather than simply describing the angel’s manner of speaking.
  • “people” — λαός (laos): This word can mean a people or a community. In this setting, it can point to the people of Israel, while the KJV’s “all people” expresses the breadth of the angel’s announcement.

Why Luke 2:10 matters

  • The joy has a stated reason. The next verse identifies the news as the birth of a Savior, called Christ the Lord, in the city of David (Luke 2:11).
  • The shepherds are given a way to recognize the child. Luke 2:12 describes a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger, a feeding place for animals.
  • The announcement reaches beyond its first listeners. The angel speaks to “you,” the shepherds, while saying the joy “shall be to all people.”

Where else these words appear

“bring” Greek G2097 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Acts 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

“joy” Greek G5479 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  • John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
  • Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

“Fear” Greek G5399 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
  • Acts 13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

“people” Greek G2992 · used in 139 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 22:66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
  • Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.