The Infancy Narratives in Luke's Gospel - Analysis by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

The Infancy Narratives in Luke's Gospel
by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Overview of the Contents of Luke 1—2:

1:1-4 - Prologue: Literary Introduction to the Gospel

1:5-25 - Angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah to announce the birth of John (the Baptist)

1:26-38 - Angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus (the “Annunciation”)

1:39-56 - Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth (the “Visitation”; incl. Mary's “Magnificat”)

1:57-80 - The Birth of John the Baptist (incl. Zechariah's “Benedictus”)

2:1-5 - Joseph and Mary journey to Bethlehem

2:6-7 - The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea (the “Nativity”)

2:8-14 - Angels appear to some shepherds (incl. the angels' “Gloria”)

2:15-20 - Shepherds visit the baby Jesus

2:21 - Jesus is circumcised & given his name

2:22-38 - Jesus is presented to God in the Jerusalem Temple (the “Presentation”)

2:39-40 - Jesus' family returns to Nazareth

2:41-52 - The boy Jesus is found in the Temple (incl. Simeon's “Nunc Dimittis”)

Parallels in Biblical Birth Narratives:

.	Birth of Ishmael (Gen 16:7-13)	Birth of Samson (Judg 13:2-25)	Birth of Samuel (1 Sam 1:1—2:11)	Birth of John (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)	Birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-40)
Mother's Situation	Sarai: old, barren (16:7-8)	Anonymous Wife: barren	Hannah: barren	Elizabeth: barren, old	Mary: virgin, not yet married
Father's Role	Abram:	Manoah: dialogues with wife	Elkanah: comforts Hannah	Zechariah: priest in temple	Joseph: no major role
Child Requested		(not explicit)	by Hannah's prayer	by Zechariah's prayer (implicit)	(not requested)
Announcement of Birth*		by an angel to the woman	by Eli's assurance to Hannah	by angel Gabriel to Zechariah	by angel Gabriel to Mary
Initial Reaction		Woman tells her husband	Eli thinks Hannah is drunk	Zechariah questions / doubts	Mary questions / believes
Result of Announcement		Angel appears again to both	Hannah conceives from husband	Elizabeth conceives from husband	Mary conceives from Holy Spirit
Birth of Child		brief mention (13:24a)	very brief mention (1:20)	brief narration (1:57-58)	extensive narration (2:1-20)
Circumcision		(not mentioned)	(not mentioned)	extensive narration (1:59-79)	brief mention (2:21)
Boy's Name		Samson (13:24a)	Samuel (1:20)	John (1:13, 59-63)	Jesus (1:31, 35; 2:21)
Reaction Praising God		(sacrifice offered before birth)	by Hannah (2:1-10)	by Zechariah (1:67-79)	by Mary (1:46-55); by angels (2:8-14); by shepherds (2:20) by Simeon (2:28-32)
Child Grows		mentioned briefly (13:24b-25)	(1:24-28; 2:11)	mentioned only briefly (1:80)	incident at age twelve (2:40-52)

*Note: Raymond Brown (Birth of the Messiah, p. 156) subdivides these Biblical Annunciations into five steps, most of which occur in most of the above stories:

The appearance of an angel of the Lord (or appearance of the Lord)
Fear or prostration of the visionary confronted by this supernatural presence
The divine message:
1. The visionary is addressed by name
2. A qualifying phrase describing the visionary
3. The visionary is urged not to be afraid
4. A woman is with child, or about to be with child
5. She will give birth to the (male) child
6. The name by which the child is to be called
7. An etymology interpreting the name
8. The future accomplishments of the child
An objection by the visionary as to how this can be, or a request for a sign
The giving of a sign to reassure the visionary

Nazareth & Bethlehem:

In Songs:
- Nazareth:
  - Sing of Mary
  - She Will Show Us the Promised One
- Bethlehem:
  - O Little Town of Bethlehem
  - A Child Is Born in Bethlehem (Latin)
  - Bethlehem
  - Angels We Have Heard on High
  - Children, Run Joyfully
  - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
  - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
  - O Come, All Ye Faithful
  - O Come, Little Children
  - Silent Night
  - The First Noel
  - Wake from Your Sleep
  - We Three Kings
  - What Child Is This?
  - etc.

Related Resources:

Electronic New Testament Educational Resources

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