And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

LUKE 2:15KJV
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Luke 2:15 (KJV)

What does Luke 2:15 mean?

Luke 2:15 describes how, after the angels left the shepherds and returned to heaven, the shepherds decided together to go to Bethlehem to see the event the Lord had revealed to them. The verse shows the shepherds responding immediately and eagerly to the message they received about what had happened.

The setting is the night of Jesus’ birth, with shepherds out in the fields near Bethlehem. After a group of angels announced the birth of a Savior, the shepherds talk among themselves and agree to go see what has happened. The verse highlights their sense of urgency and trust in what God has made known to them through the angels.

The Greek behind Luke 2:15

  • ἄγγελοι (angeloi, “angels”): This word refers to the messengers from God. Their departure signals a shift from heavenly announcement to human response.
  • Βηθλεὲμ (Bēthleem, “Bethlehem”): The shepherds specifically name the town, showing they understood the message was about a real, nearby place.
  • γνωρίζω (gnōrizō, “made known”): This word means to reveal or make something clear. The shepherds recognize that what they heard was not just a rumor but something God Himself had revealed to them.

Why Luke 2:15 matters

  • Luke 2:15 shows that the shepherds did not hesitate or doubt but acted right away, emphasizing their faith and the importance of responding to God’s message.
  • The verse connects the heavenly announcement to real people and a real place, grounding the story in history rather than legend.
  • It highlights that God’s message, though delivered by angels, was meant for ordinary people, showing the inclusive nature of the good news.

Where else these words appear

“now” Greek G1211 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
  • Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

“Bethlehem” Greek G965 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

“shepherds” Greek G4166 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
  • Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  • John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

“known” Greek G1107 · used in 23 verses

  • John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
  • Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,