And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
LUKE 2:18KJVWhat does Luke 2:18 mean?
Luke 2:18 describes how everyone who heard the shepherds’ story about the newborn Jesus was amazed by what they heard. The verse highlights the sense of wonder and surprise among the people as they listened to the shepherds share what had happened.
The setting is just after Jesus’ birth, when the shepherds, having seen angels and visited the baby, began telling others what they had witnessed. The people listening to the shepherds were not expecting such news, and their reaction shows that the message was extraordinary and unexpected.
The Greek behind Luke 2:18
- The word "wondered" (ἐθαύμασαν, thaumazan) is often understood as being astonished or deeply impressed, not just mildly surprised. This highlights the powerful impact the shepherds’ message had on those who heard it.
- The phrase "by the shepherds" (ὑπὸ τῶν ποιμένων, hypo tōn poimenōn) makes it clear that the shepherds were the ones sharing the news, which is significant because shepherds were not usually seen as important messengers in that society.
Why Luke 2:18 matters
- Luke 2:18 shows that the news of Jesus’ birth was immediately met with amazement, even among ordinary people, setting the tone for the significance of Jesus’ arrival.
- The verse emphasizes that the shepherds, who were humble and often overlooked, were chosen to be the first public witnesses to this event, which is a recurring theme in Luke’s Gospel.
- This reaction of wonder connects to the larger narrative, where God’s actions often surprise and overturn expectations, inviting readers to pay attention to unlikely messengers and moments.