And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
LUKE 2:17KJVWhat does Luke 2:17 mean?
Luke 2:17 describes how, after seeing the newborn Jesus, the shepherds spread the word about what had been told to them concerning this child. The shepherds became messengers, sharing with others the message they had received about Jesus.
The verse takes place just after the shepherds visit Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. The shepherds had been told by angels about the birth and its significance. After witnessing Jesus for themselves, they could not keep the news to themselves and began telling others what the angels had revealed about who this child was.
The Greek behind Luke 2:17
- "Abroad" (διεγνώρισαν, G1232, diegnōrisan): This word means to make something widely known or to spread information publicly. It suggests the shepherds did not just tell a few people, but actively spread the news far and wide.
- "Saying" (λόγος, G4487, logos): Here, "logos" refers to the specific message or report given to the shepherds about Jesus. It emphasizes that what they shared was not just their own opinion, but a message they had received.
- "Concerning" (περί, G4012, peri): This word means "about" or "regarding," clarifying that the content of their message was specifically about the child, Jesus, and what had been revealed about him.
Why Luke 2:17 matters
- Luke 2:17 shows that the shepherds were not passive observers but became active participants in spreading the news about Jesus, highlighting the importance of witness and testimony in the story.
- The verse connects the shepherds’ experience directly to the angelic message, underlining that their report was rooted in divine revelation, not just personal excitement.
- This moment sets the tone for the rest of Luke’s Gospel, where ordinary people often play a key role in announcing God’s work, emphasizing that the message of Jesus is meant to be shared widely.