And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

LUKE 2:20KJV
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Luke 2:20 (KJV)

What does Luke 2:20 mean?

Luke 2:20 describes how the shepherds went back to their daily lives, openly giving glory and praise to God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been announced to them. The verse highlights their joyful response after witnessing the events surrounding Jesus’ birth.

The setting is after the shepherds visited Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem, following the angels’ message. The shepherds are not speaking to anyone in particular here; instead, Luke is narrating their actions. Their reaction—publicly glorifying and praising God—shows the impact of what they experienced and confirms that everything happened just as the angels had told them.

The Greek behind Luke 2:20

  • "Glorifying" (δοξάζοντες, doxazontes): This word means giving honor or recognizing greatness. In this context, it shows the shepherds’ deep respect and awe for God after what they witnessed.
  • "Praising" (αἰνοῦντες, ainountes): This word means expressing approval or admiration, often in song or spoken words. The shepherds’ praise is a joyful, outward expression of what they experienced.
  • "Returned" (ὑπέστρεψαν, hupestrepsan): This word means to go back or turn back. The shepherds did not stay at the manger but returned to their regular lives, now changed by what they had seen.
  • "As it was told unto them" (καθὼς ἐλαλήθη πρὸς αὐτούς, kathōs elalēthē pros autous): This phrase emphasizes that everything happened exactly as the angels had said, underlining the trustworthiness of the message.

Why Luke 2:20 matters

  • Luke 2:20 shows that the shepherds’ encounter with Jesus did not end at the manger; it changed their outlook and actions as they returned to their everyday work.
  • The verse highlights that the shepherds’ praise was based on both what they heard and what they saw, showing a response to real, personal experience rather than just hearsay.
  • This verse connects back to the angel’s announcement, confirming that God’s message was fulfilled exactly as promised, which is a key theme in Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth.

Where else these words appear

“praising” Greek G134 · used in 9 verses

  • Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
  • Luke 24:53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
  • Acts 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

“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.

“returned” Greek G1994 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
  • Luke 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
  • Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

“glorifying” Greek G1392 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
  • John 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
  • Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.