And all who heard itThis phrase indicates a communal reaction, suggesting that the news shared by the shepherds reached a broad audience. In the cultural context of first-century Judea, news was often spread orally, and gatherings in communal spaces like the marketplace or synagogue would facilitate such dissemination. The shepherds, considered lowly and humble, were unlikely messengers, which adds to the amazement of the listeners. This reflects the biblical theme of God using the humble to convey His message, as seen in
1 Corinthians 1:27.
were amazed
The amazement of the people can be understood as a mix of wonder and disbelief. In the biblical narrative, amazement often accompanies divine revelation or miraculous events, such as the reaction of the people to Jesus' teachings and miracles (Mark 1:22,Luke 4:32). This amazement signifies the breaking in of the divine into the ordinary, challenging the listeners' expectations and understanding of God's work.
at what the shepherds said to them
The shepherds relayed the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth, which was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14,Micah 5:2). The shepherds' testimony is significant because it aligns with the biblical theme of witness, where God often uses unexpected individuals to bear witness to His acts (e.g., the Samaritan woman inJohn 4). The shepherds' role also prefigures the spread of the Gospel, where ordinary believers are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
ShepherdsThese humble individuals were the first to receive the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth. Their role as witnesses to the birth of Christ highlights God's choice to reveal His message to the lowly and humble.
2.
BethlehemThe town where Jesus was born, fulfilling the prophecy of
Micah 5:2. It serves as the backdrop for the nativity account and the shepherds' visit.
3.
AngelsHeavenly messengers who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, emphasizing the divine nature of the event.
4.
The PeopleThose who heard the shepherds' testimony about the birth of Jesus. Their amazement reflects the impact of the divine message shared by ordinary people.
5.
JesusThe central figure of the nativity account, whose birth is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the hope of salvation for mankind.
Teaching Points
The Power of TestimonyThe shepherds' simple yet profound testimony about Jesus' birth had a significant impact. We are reminded of the power of sharing our own experiences of God's work in our lives.
God's Choice of MessengersGod often chooses the humble and lowly to convey His message, as seen with the shepherds. This encourages us to be open to God's calling, regardless of our status or background.
Amazement at God's WorkThe reaction of amazement from those who heard the shepherds challenges us to maintain a sense of wonder and reverence for God's actions in our world.
Fulfillment of ProphecyThe events surrounding Jesus' birth fulfill Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing the reliability of Scripture and God's faithfulness to His promises.
Witnessing to OthersLike the shepherds, we are called to share the good news of Jesus with others, trusting that God can use our words to touch hearts and change lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 2:18?
2.How can we share the message that "amazed" those who heard it?
3.What does Luke 2:18 teach us about the power of testimony?
4.How does Luke 2:18 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?
5.How can we cultivate a sense of wonder in our faith community?
6.What steps can we take to ensure others are "amazed" by our witness?
7.How does Luke 2:18 demonstrate the impact of Jesus' birth on those who heard about it?
8.Why were the shepherds' reactions in Luke 2:18 significant in the context of first-century Judea?
9.What does the amazement in Luke 2:18 reveal about the expectations of the Messiah?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 2?
11.(Luke 2:8-14) Is there any external historical or archaeological support that an angelic event occurred, as reported to the shepherds?
12.Why do the Gospels disagree on the details of Jesus' birth, such as the visit from the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12) and the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)?
13.2 Peter 1:16-18 refers to the Transfiguration; why is its account noticeably different from the synoptic Gospels' versions?
14.Luke 24:11: Why would those closest to Jesus dismiss the women's testimony if Jesus had foretold His resurrection?What Does Luke 2:18 Mean
And all who heard it• The report traveled beyond the stable, reaching neighbors, extended family, and anyone gathered that night (Luke 2:17).
• Scripture often notes how God’s news spreads quickly: consider how fear and wonder “came upon all who lived around them” at John’s birth (Luke 1:65), or how news of Jesus later “spread through all Judea” after He raised the widow’s son (Luke 7:17).
• God ensures witnesses so His acts are not hidden (Acts 1:8); here, the shepherds become the first evangelists of the newborn Messiah.
were amazed• “Amazed” captures genuine astonishment—not mild interest—but a deep, soul-stirring wonder (Luke 4:36,Luke 5:26).
• Such amazement is the appropriate human response when God breaks into ordinary life, just as the disciples later marvel when Jesus stills the storm (Luke 8:25).
• The amazement affirms that the message resonated as true and carried divine authority (Mark 1:22).
at what the shepherds said to them• Shepherds, socially humble yet divinely chosen, convey exactly what the angels announced (Luke 2:10-12).
• Their testimony highlights God’s pattern of using unlikely messengers—similar to Naaman’s servant girl (2 Kings 5:2-3) and the Samaritan woman who told her town, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did” (John 4:29).
• The content focuses on “a Savior…Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11), anchoring amazement in the fulfilled promise ofIsaiah 9:6.
• Faithful gospel witness is simple: relay the message received, trust the Spirit to stir hearts (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
summaryLuke 2:18 records the immediate, widespread wonder produced when ordinary shepherds shared extraordinary news: God’s promised Messiah had come. Everyone who heard their report sensed the divine in-breaking and marveled. The verse encourages believers today to speak plainly of Jesus, confident that the same Spirit who prompted amazement then continues to awaken awe and faith now.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.allπάντες(pantes)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.whoοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.heard [it]ἀκούσαντες(akousantes)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.were amazedἐθαύμασαν(ethaumasan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2296:(a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire.atπερὶ(peri)Preposition
Strong's 4012:From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.whatτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.shepherdsποιμένων(poimenōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4166:A shepherd; hence met: of the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men. Of uncertain affinity; a shepherd.saidλαληθέντων(lalēthentōn)Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2980:A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.toπρὸς(pros)Preposition
Strong's 4314:To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.them.αὐτούς(autous)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Gospels: Luke 2:18 All who heard it wondered at (Luke Lu Lk) 
