Luke 2: Prophecies and Their Fulfilments
- Rebecca Lynn Hardy
- Sep 30
- 9 min read
The second chapter of Luke begins with a detailed description of where the birth of Jesus occurred.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David… (Luke 2:1-4 ESV Strong’s)
The comprehensive account was given to verify a prophecy, but many contest the accuracy of the claim that a registration required the residents of Israel to travel to the town of their ancestors. Hundreds of thousands of people would have had to travel to and for in Israel for this “registration.” What would cause the Roman leaders to require such a thing? Why would they insist it be done? To our way of thinking, it makes no sense.
We must remember that Luke wrote this account when those who had to be registered were still living. They would have known whether or not this was true. Since Luke’s historic record still exists, we can assume it is true, or else those living would have rejected it. The place of the birth of Jesus is important! It fulfills a prophecy by Micah:
But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall he come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2 AKJV)
Luke’s detailed description of why Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem shows us that this prophecy was fulfilled. Further proof is given when Luke continues the history of the birth of Jesus with an account found in no other gospel:
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12 ESV)
As with most appearances of angels, they carry the presence of God that is so powerful that most people are filled with fear as they intimately know how small and weak they are in comparison. After telling the shepherds to “fear not,” they tell them where to find Jesus. The shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Jesus lying in the manger, just as the angel said. The first to discover the newly born prophesied King were the lowly shepherds! This is proof that no matter what our position in this world is, God will move into our lives if we listen to and seek Him. In fact, He often appears to and uses those who are in a humble position: David was the shepherd in the field, the disciples were fishermen, a lowly profession without education.
The fact that Mary and Joseph were in the barn and Jesus was sleeping in the manger which is a feeding trough for the animals was a great way of identifying Him! At the time, having to sleep in the barn might have seemed like a bad thing, but God used those unique circumstances for His glory. We must remember that God always has a plan.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)
See that none render evil for evil to any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice ever more. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 AKJV)
When we are in the middle of an unpleasant situation, we must remember that we may not be seeing the whole picture, just as Mary and Joseph didn’t when they had to sleep in the barn. We must give thanks to God in all situations, for He has a purpose. We should not take vengeance on others or do evil to them if we want God to move into the situation. If we hold to our faith and hope in God, He will move mightily!
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. (Acts 16:25-26 ESV)
When Paul was in jail, they prayed and worshipped God. He moved. Not only were they set free, but so was everyone else in the prison! When we remain in peace and stay focused on God in hard times, He will get the glory. We may not see the instant freedom in the lives of those around us like Paul did, but it does allow God to begin moving in the lives of those we love!
Luke continues with another unique and important account in the life of Jesus: His circumcision in the Temple, where two prophets speak about Him! The first was a righteous man:
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:25-35 ESV Strong’s)
Simeon prophesied over Jesus, declaring that Gentiles, nations outside of Israel, would receive light, or wisdom, from Him. Simeon also prophesied to Mary that her own soul would be wounded by what happens with her Son. That is so very true. Could you imagine having to watch your Son, who you assumed would be King over the whole world, be tortured and crucified? It is good to see that God spoke of this beforehand, so she would know it was planned!
The next prophet mentioned in connection with the Lord was a woman:
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38 ESV Strong’s)
The presence of these two people in the Temple for the dedication of Jesus is a foreshadowing of the two people who would be the “witnesses of the coming of Jesus.” The first was a man who received a prophecy from God that he would see the coming Messiah. He was devoted to seeing the prophecies for Israel’s deliverance fulfilled. This is John the Baptist: the Witness of the First Coming of the Lord.
A prophetess is the next person to witness the coming of the Lord. This is a foreshadowing of the Witness of the Second Coming of the Lord who will be a woman. The word prophetess is the female version of the word prophet. This woman had only been married seven years, then devoted the rest of her life to God with much worship and prayer with fasting. She was from the tribe of Asher: a region with comparatively low temperature and much rainfall, making it some of the most fertile land in Canaan, with rich pasture, wooded hills, and orchards; as such Asher became particularly prosperous, and known for its olive oil. We can expect the female Witness of the Second Coming to have the following traits:
Called as a prophetess
Seven is perfection and completion in the physical: a marriage that operates in perfection according to God’s design
Has a well-developed prayer life, known for her worship of God
Comes from a land known for wealth and prosperity
Olive oil means the country is known for the anointing of God.
More information confirming that the Witness of the Second Coming will be a woman and, with someone who will wear the mantle of Elijah once again, will be one of the Two Witnesses can be found at The Living Word. Links to the video can be found in the description or the first comment. Back to Luke:
And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:39-40 ESV Strong’s)
After the circumcision, the family returned to their hometown of Nazareth. This fulfills what would seem to have been a contradictory pair of prophecies. Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but then also be known as a Nazarene:
And He went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that He would be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:23 ESV)
Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem, be called a Nazarene, and also be from Galilee. Just like with this prophecy, when we see things in the Word of God that seem to contradict each other, we need to look to the Holy Spirit to show us how all of it can be true!
The closing account from the younger years of Jesus shows us what a challenge it must have been to be the parents of the Son of God. The family had made their yearly journey to Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover in a large family caravan. They were a full day’s journey from Jerusalem when they discovered that Jesus wasn’t with their friends and family accompanying them. He was missing!
As a parent, I can sympathize. We do our best, but sometimes… stuff happens! Now, I’ve never lost a child, but some have. Imagine being entrusted with a miraculous conception of a Baby, told He would rule the world, then losing Him… Yikes! Let’s pick up the account with Luke:
After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. And when His parents saw Him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have You treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
And He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:46-52 ESV Strong’s)
They had to look for Jesus for three days! Not only was that super stressful for the parents, but it was a foreshadowing of the three days He would be missing from the world between His death and resurrection. Twelve years of age is considered the “age of accountability.” This is when we should know the difference between good and evil. It is when Jesus began working for God by learning what the spiritual leaders were interpreting the Word of God. The Son of God, creator of the Earth, also followed the Word of God and obeyed His parents when He was a child.
We see the full extent of what it cost Jesus to become a human and put aside His Godhood. He had to increase in wisdom: He had to relearn what He had lost. This is what the Lord did for us, how He humbled Himself to save us. We should never beat ourselves up for failures, as long as we keep learning, because even Jesus had to learn!
Just like the prophecies surrounding the conception, birth, and life of Jesus, the Word of God will always be in agreement with itself. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can see how seemingly contradictory elements actually fit together.
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