> Download these notes in PDF here: https://www.studyyourbible.org/new-testament/luke/an-orderly-account/handouts/session-07-as-it-was-told-unto-them-hearing-seeing-and-praising/ # As It Was Told Unto Them — Hearing, Seeing, And Praising (Luke 2:15–20) *Series: Luke: An Orderly Account - Dr. Randy White* ## I. The Lord's Word Sets Them Moving (vv. 15–16) ### The Angels Depart; Their Message Remains - When the angels return to heaven, the shepherds still possess what the Lord has made known. Their next step rests upon His announcement (v. 15). - “Let us now go” expresses a shared resolve. They encourage one another to visit the place identified by the message they received. - They speak of “this thing which is come to pass.” The birth is an accomplished event to be witnessed; their believing does not bring it into existence. ### They Recognize The One Who Has Spoken - An angel delivered the news, but the shepherds say, “the Lord hath made known unto us.” They recognize the authority behind the messenger (v. 15). - The announcement named David's city, the child's identity, and the identifying sign. Their journey has a destination and a reason (Luke 2:11–12). - Their words express confidence in the report before they arrive. Going to see what God announced need not be treated as suspicious testing. ### They Find What Heaven Described - “They came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe.” Their prompt arrival carries their stated resolve into action (v. 16). - The child lies in a manger, as the angel had said. Humble circumstances agree with heaven's sign; no added royal display is needed (Luke 2:12, 16). - The manger now joins three parts of Luke’s account: Mary lays Him there, the angel names it as the sign, and the shepherds find Him there (Luke 2:7, 12, 16). - They arrive after the birth and find the child already there. Luke places the force of this visit in the agreement between the announcement and their discovery. ## II. The Lord's Word Gives Their Report Its Meaning (v. 17) ### They Have Seen; Now They Make Known - “When they had seen it” connects their report with the visit. What the Lord made known to them becomes what they make known to others (vv. 15, 17). - “Made known abroad” describes spreading the report. Luke gives neither the number of listeners nor the geographical extent of their telling. - Their experience becomes testimony concerning the child. The shepherds pass on a message whose truth does not depend upon their own importance. ### The Message Explains The Manger - Their subject is “the saying which was told them concerning this child.” They communicate more than the fact that they have seen a newborn (v. 17). - The saying identifies Him as “a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” An ordinary observer could see the infant; God's word explains His significance (Luke 2:11). - David's city and the title “Christ” locate this announcement within Israel's promised hope. The shepherds report what has been revealed at this point. - Faithful testimony keeps the child central. The greatness of the heavenly encounter matters because of the One whom heaven announced. ## III. The Lord's Word Calls For Consideration (vv. 18–19) ### The Hearers Marvel At The Report - “All they that heard it wondered.” The knowledge first given in the fields reaches people who receive the shepherds' account (v. 18). - The message travels through human witnesses. These hearers need not have seen the heavenly host to hear what was announced about Jesus. - Wonder acknowledges something remarkable. Luke does not tell us enough to pronounce every listener either a settled believer or an unbeliever. ### Mary Keeps The Things She Has Heard - “But Mary kept all these things.” Luke distinguishes her sustained attention within the wider scene of amazement (v. 19). - She has received Gabriel's promise, experienced the birth, and now heard the shepherds' report. These are connected matters worth preserving (Luke 1:31–33; 2:7, 17). - Keeping the words and events gives them a continuing place in her thought. The report is not exhausted by the surprise of first hearing it. ### She Ponders What She Has Kept - Mary “pondered them in her heart.” Her response includes thoughtful consideration, not emotion alone. She weighs the significance of these things together (v. 19). - Retaining God's word does not require pretending to understand every implication immediately. Luke later joins incomplete understanding with remembrance again (Luke 2:50–51). - The passage invites more than momentary astonishment: preserve what God has said and give it careful thought. Mary's response supplies the example without condemning every other hearer. ## IV. The Lord's Word Becomes Their Reason For Praise (v. 20) ### The Shepherds Return Glorifying God - Their visit ends, but their praise accompanies the return. Luke leaves them “glorifying and praising God” for what they have heard and seen (v. 20). - The angels had praised God in the fields; now human witnesses praise Him after seeing the sign. Heaven's announcement has produced an answering earthly response (Luke 2:13–14, 20). - The Lord who made the event known receives the glory. The shepherds' part is to receive, see, report, and praise what He has done. ### What They See Agrees With What They Hear - “As it was told unto them” explains their praise. God's announcement has proved faithful to the circumstances they encounter (v. 20). - The message and the event belong together: the word identifies the Saviour, and the discovery confirms the sign. Their worship has a definite reason. - Their praise does not require knowledge of every event still to come. What God has already announced and confirmed gives them reason to honor Him now. - The movement ends where it began—with the Lord's reliable word. It directs their steps, supplies their testimony, occupies Mary's thought, and gives rise to praise.