What does Luke 2:9 mean?
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid." - Luke 2:9

The Bible verse Luke 2:9 in the King James Version reads: "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid." This verse is found in the New Testament and is part of the account of the birth of Jesus Christ as recorded in the gospel of Luke.
This verse is part of the narrative of the shepherds who were visited by an angel on the night of Jesus' birth. The shepherds were out in the fields, watching over their flocks, when suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them. The appearance of the angel and the glory of the Lord shining around them caused them to be filled with fear.
One of the key themes of this verse is the revelation and proclamation of the birth of Jesus as the Savior of the world. The arrival of the angel and the glory of the Lord shining around the shepherds signifies the importance and significance of the event that was taking place. It was a miraculous and awe-inspiring moment that marked the beginning of the fulfillment of God's plan for the redemption of humanity through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The context of this verse is important to understand the significance of the shepherds and their role in the story of Jesus' birth. In the ancient world, shepherds were often seen as lowly and insignificant, yet it was to them that the angel first appeared to announce the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. This highlights the inclusive nature of God's plan of salvation, as the good news of Jesus' birth was not only revealed to the powerful and influential, but also to the humble and marginalized members of society.
The symbolism in this verse is also rich and profound. The appearance of the angel and the shining of the glory of the Lord represents the divine intervention and presence of God in the world. It signifies the breaking in of the heavenly realm into the earthly realm, as God's messengers announce the arrival of the long-awaited Savior. The fear and awe experienced by the shepherds in the presence of this divine manifestation reflects the reverence and humility that is appropriate in response to the revelation of God's glory.
Furthermore, the shining of the glory of the Lord serves as a symbol of the light that Jesus brought into the world. In the gospel of John, Jesus is described as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), and in Him was the life that was the light of men (John 1:4). The shining of the glory of the Lord around the shepherds foreshadows the spiritual illumination and revelation that Jesus would bring to the world through His life, death, and resurrection.
In conclusion, the Bible verse Luke 2:9 in the King James Version captures a moment of divine revelation and intervention in the world, as the angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. The themes of revelation, proclamation, inclusivity, and the symbolism of divine presence and light all contribute to the rich and profound meaning of this verse. It serves as a powerful reminder of the wondrous and miraculous nature of Jesus' birth, and the significance of His coming as the Savior of the world.
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Luke 2:9 - "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid."
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid." - Luke 2:9
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid." - Luke 2:9
Luke 9:2 - "And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."
"And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." - Luke 9:2
Luke 2:8-9 - "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified."
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Black and white illustration Luke 11:9
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