And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

LUKE 2:18KJV
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Luke 2:18 (KJV)

What does Luke 2:18 mean?

Luke 2:18 describes how the people who heard the shepherds’ report reacted with amazement. The shepherds had seen the newborn Jesus and were passing on what they had been told about him.

The words “all they that heard it” point to the listeners as a group. After making the report known in verse 17, the shepherds became the source from whom these people heard the news.

The Greek behind Luke 2:18

  • “wondered” — θαυμάζω (thaumazō): The word carries the sense of being amazed or filled with wonder. Here it describes the listeners’ reaction to the shepherds’ account.

  • “told” — λαλέω (laleō): This word often means to speak or tell. Here it points to the things the shepherds spoke about to the people who heard them.

Why Luke 2:18 matters

  • The listeners’ amazement is directed at a particular report. The shepherds had spoken about what they had been told concerning the child, including the angel’s announcement in Luke 2:10–12.

  • Luke places the group’s reaction alongside Mary’s more private response. In verse 19, Mary keeps these things in mind and thinks about them, giving the reader a different view of how the news was received.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“wondered” Greek G2296 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
  • Luke 1:63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
  • John 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?