1V tom čase nariadil cisár Augustus, aby sa vykonalo sčítanie ľudu v celej Rímskej ríši.2Prvý súpis sa konal, keď bol rímskym miestodržiteľom v Sýrii Kvirinius.3Každý bol povinný dať sa zapísať tam, odkiaľ pochádzali jeho predkovia.4A Jozef s Máriou,5ktorá už bola vo vysokom stupni tehotenstva, sa vydali na cestu. Putovali z galilejského Nazareta do judského mestečka Betlehema, rodiska kráľa Dávida, lebo Jozef pochádzal z jeho rodu.6Len čo ta došli, naplnil sa Máriin čas7a porodila svojho prvorodeného syna. Zavinula ho do plienok a uložila do jaslí, lebo v hostinci už nebolo miesta.8Tej noci pásli neďaleko Betlehema pastieri ovce. Nocovali pod šírym nebom a striedavo strážili svoje stáda.9Zrazu sa pred nimi zjavil anjel a celá krajina sa rozžiarila odleskom Božej slávy. Nesmierne sa vyľakali,10ale anjel ich upokojoval: „Nebojte sa, nesiem vám radostnú správu, z ktorej sa môžu tešiť všetci ľudia.11V Betleheme, z ktorého pochádza Dávid, sa vám dnes narodil Kristus, Spasiteľ poslaný Bohom.12Ako ho poznáte? Nájdete dieťa zavinuté v plienkach a ležiace v jasliach.“13Potom sa k anjelovi pripojili ďalší anjeli – celé zástupy nebeského vojska. Všetci chválili Boha a hovorili:14„Sláva na nebi Bohu a na zemi pokoj ľuďom – Boh ich má rád.“15Len čo sa anjeli vrátili do neba, pastieri sa rozhodli: „Poďme do Betlehema a presvedčme sa o tom, čo nám oznámil Pán.“16Rýchlo sa vydali na cestu a naozaj našli Máriu s Jozefom aj novorodeniatko ležiace v jasliach.17Keď to videli, rozprávali všade, čo zažili a čo im anjel povedal o dieťatku.18Všetci, čo ich počúvali, sa čudovali.19Mária si to všetko uchovala v srdci a premýšľala o tom.20Pastieri sa vrátili k svojim stádam, radovali sa a velebili Boha, že našli všetko tak, ako im anjel oznámil.
Simeon a Anna spoznajú v Ježišovi Spasiteľa
21Na ôsmy deň dali Mária a Jozef chlapca obrezať. Dali mu meno Ježiš, ako to anjel určil už pred jeho narodením.22Mojžišov zákon prikazoval, aby každá žena na štyridsiaty deň po narodení chlapca priniesla obeť do chrámu. Preto aj Mária, keď podľa Zákona bola už obradne čistá, splnila si túto povinnosť.23Zároveň so sebou vzali aj dieťa, aby ho podľa iného Mojžišovho predpisu ako prvorodeného syna zasvätili Bohu24a obetovali dve hrdličky alebo dvoch holubov.25V tom čase žil v Jeruzaleme zbožný starec Simeon. Zachovával Božie prikázania a ustavične očakával splnenie sľubov o príchode Mesiáša. Bol naplnený Svätým Duchom,26ktorý mu zjavil, že nezomrie, kým na vlastné oči neuvidí Mesiáša.27Na pokyn Ducha prišiel do chrámu práve vo chvíli, keď rodičia zasväcovali Ježiša Bohu.28Simeon vzal dieťa do náručia a modlil sa:29„Pane, ďakujem ti, že si splnil svoj sľub. Teraz môžem pokojne zomrieť,30lebo som na vlastné oči videl Spasiteľa,31ktorého dávaš celému svetu.32Pohanom bude svetlom a Izraelovi slávou.“33Jozef a Mária sa čudovali tomu, čo povedal Simeon o dieťati.34Potom im požehnal a Márii ešte povedal:„Toto dieťa bude príčinou pádu jedných a povýšenia druhých v Izraeli. Je znamením z neba, proti ktorému sa mnohí postavia, a tak prezradia svoje zmýšľanie.35I tvoje srdce prenikne bolesť ako meč.“36Bola tam aj prorokyňa Anna, dcéra Fanuelova z rodu Aserovho. Bola už vo veľmi pokročilom veku.37Po sedemročnom manželstve ovdovela. Teraz mala osemdesiatštyri rokov. Nevychádzala vôbec z chrámu a jej dni aj noci boli naplnené službou Bohu, modlitbami a častými pôstmi.38V tej chvíli k nim pristúpila aj ona a ďakovala Bohu za to dieťa. Všetkým, ktorí v Jeruzaleme očakávali Mesiáša, oznamovala, že Mesiáš je už tu.39Keď Jozef s Máriou splnili všetko, čo prikazoval Zákon, vrátili sa do Nazareta v Galilei.40Dieťa rástlo, duchovne vyspievalo a bolo veľmi múdre. Všetci mohli vidieť, že Boh ho zahŕňa svojím dobrodením.
Dvanásťročný Ježiš v chráme
41Ježišovi rodičia putovali každý rok do Jeruzalema na veľkonočné sviatky.42Keď mal Ježiš dvanásť rokov, prvý raz ho vzali so sebou.43Po slávnosti sa všetci vydali na cestu domov, ale Ježiš zostal bez vedomia rodičov v Jeruzaleme.44Sprvu sa ani neznepokojovali, lebo si mysleli, že zostal niekde vzadu medzi pútnikmi. Ale keď sa celý deň neukázal, zháňali ho medzi príbuznými a známymi.45Nenašli ho, preto sa vrátili do Jeruzalema a tam ho hľadali.46Až po troch dňoch ho našli v chráme, ako sedí medzi učiteľmi Zákona, počúva ich a dáva im otázky.47Všetci, ktorí ho počuli, žasli nad jeho múdrosťou a odpoveďami.48Rodičov to prekvapilo, že je v chráme, a matka mu vyčítala: „Syn náš, čo si nám to urobil? Otec aj ja sme ťa s úzkosťou hľadali.“49Ježiš im na to odpovedal: „Ako to, že ste ma hľadali? Či neviete, že musím byť tam, kde ide o veci môjho Otca?“50Ale oni nepochopili, čo tým myslí.51Ježiš sa potom vrátil s rodičmi do Nazareta a poslúchal ich. Jeho matka si všetky jeho slová uchovávala v srdci.52A Ježiš vyspieval telesne aj rozumovo a bol milý Bohu aj ľuďom.
1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (Lk 3,1; Sk 5,37; Sk 17,7)2This was the first registration when[1] Quirinius was governor of Syria. (Lk 2,1; Lk 3,1)3And all went to be registered, each to his own town.4And 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, (1 Sam 16,1; Mt 2,1; Mt 2,23; Lk 1,26; Lk 1,27; Lk 2,11; Jn 7,42)5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[2] who was with child.6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. (Lk 2,4)7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.[3] (Lk 2,12; Lk 2,16; Lk 22,11)
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. (Lk 9,31; Lk 24,4; Sk 7,55; Sk 12,7; 2 Kor 3,18)10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Zach 9,9; Lk 2,32; Jn 11,50)11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Iz 9,6; Mt 1,17; Mt 1,21; Lk 1,43; Lk 2,4; Lk 23,2; Jn 4,42; Sk 2,36; Sk 10,36)12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (1 Sam 2,34; 2 Kr 19,29; 2 Kr 20,8; Iz 7,11; Iz 7,14; Lk 2,7)13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (Gn 28,12; Gn 32,1; 1 Kr 22,19; 2 Krn 18,18; Ž 103,21; Ž 148,2; Dan 7,10; Zjv 5,11)14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”[4] (Ž 85,10; Ž 148,1; Iz 9,6; Ag 2,9; Mt 6,10; Mt 21,9; Mt 28,18; Lk 1,79; Lk 3,22; Lk 10,21; Lk 12,32; Lk 19,38; Jn 17,4; Sk 7,49; Sk 10,36; Rim 5,1; Ef 1,5; Ef 1,9; Ef 2,14; Ef 2,17; Ef 3,15; Flp 2,13; Kol 1,16; Kol 1,20; Zjv 5,13)15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (Lk 2,7; Lk 2,12)17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Gn 37,11; Lk 1,66; Lk 2,51)20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Lk 7,16)21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Mt 1,21; Mt 1,25; Lk 1,31; Lk 1,59)
Jesus Presented at the Temple
22And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (1 Sam 1,22; 1 Sam 1,24; Lk 2,21; Lk 2,27; Gal 4,4)23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) (Ex 13,2; Ex 13,9; Ex 13,12; 2 Krn 31,3; Lk 2,39)24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” (Lv 12,8; Lk 2,23)25Now 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. (Gn 49,18; Iz 25,9; Iz 40,1; Iz 57,18; Mk 15,43; Lk 1,6; Lk 2,38; Lk 23,51; Sk 2,5; Sk 8,2; Sk 22,12)26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (1 Sam 24,6; Ž 89,48; Lk 9,20; Lk 23,35; Jn 8,51; Sk 2,27; Hebr 11,5)27And 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, (Lk 2,33; Lk 2,41; Lk 2,43; Lk 2,48)28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, (Lk 1,64)29“Lord, now you are letting your servant[5] depart in peace, according to your word; (Gn 15,15; Lk 2,26)30for my eyes have seen your salvation (Iz 52,10; Lk 3,6)31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, (Ž 98,2; Lk 24,47)32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Iz 42,6; Iz 45,25; Iz 46,13; Iz 49,6; Iz 52,10; Iz 60,3; Lk 2,10; Jn 8,12; Sk 13,47; Sk 26,23)33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. (Lk 2,27)34And 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 (Iz 8,14; Mt 21,44; Jn 9,39; Sk 28,22; 1 Kor 1,23; 2 Kor 2,16; 1 Pt 2,8)35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”36And 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, (Ex 15,20)37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.[6] She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. (Mt 6,16; Lk 5,33; Sk 13,2; Sk 14,23; 2 Kor 6,5; 2 Kor 11,27; 1 Tim 5,5)38And 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. (Lk 1,68; Lk 2,25)
The Return to Nazareth
39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. (Lk 2,4; Lk 2,23)40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (Lk 1,80)
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. (Ex 23,15; Dt 16,1; 1 Sam 1,3; Lk 2,27; Jn 2,13)42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. (Jn 11,55)43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, (Ex 12,15; Lv 23,8; Dt 16,3; Lk 2,41)44but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. (Mt 26,55; Lk 5,17)47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48And when his parents[7] 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.” (Lk 2,27; Lk 2,49)49And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[8] (Lk 13,33; Jn 2,16; Jn 14,2)50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. (Mk 9,32; Lk 18,34)51And 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. (Lk 2,19)52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature[9] and in favor with God and man. (1 Sam 2,26)