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New Testament
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Luke 2:11Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 3:1Matt 24:14Acts 25:21
Luke 2:22This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 3:1
Luke 2:33Everyone went to his own town to be registered.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AI
Luke 2:44So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Mic 5:2John 7:421 Sam 16:1Luke 1:26-27Matt 2:23Ruth 4:171 Sam 20:6Luke 3:23-31Luke 4:16Matt 1:1-17
Luke 2:55He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Matt 1:18-19Deut 22:22-27
Luke 2:66While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Ps 33:11Mic 5:2Rev 12:1-5Prov 19:21Luke 1:57
Luke 2:77And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Gal 4:42 Cor 8:9Isa 53:2-3John 1:14Matt 1:25Luke 2:11-12Matt 8:20Isa 7:14Ps 22:6Matt 13:55
Luke 2:88Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Gen 31:39-401 Sam 17:34-35Ps 78:70-71John 10:8-12Exod 3:1-2Ezek 34:8
Luke 2:99An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 60:12 Cor 3:181 Kgs 8:11Acts 27:23Rev 18:1Acts 22:6-9Acts 26:13-14Acts 5:19Exod 40:34-35John 12:41
Luke 2:1010But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people:Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 40:9Isa 61:1Isa 52:7Gen 12:3Matt 28:18Luke 1:30Matt 14:27Acts 13:32Isa 41:27Luke 1:19
Luke 2:1111Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 9:6Matt 1:21Acts 2:36Titus 3:4-7Matt 16:161 John 5:1John 4:42Luke 1:43Phil 2:11Acts 5:31
Luke 2:1212This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 7:14Isa 53:1-2Isa 7:11Ps 22:61 Sam 10:2-71 Sam 2:342 Kgs 19:292 Kgs 20:8
Luke 2:1313Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Ps 103:20-21Rev 5:111 Kgs 22:19Ps 148:2Dan 7:10Heb 1:14Luke 15:10Job 38:7Isa 6:2-3Eph 3:10
Luke 2:1414“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Rom 5:1Luke 19:38Luke 1:79Col 1:20Heb 13:20-21Isa 9:6-7Ps 85:9-12Rev 5:13Titus 3:4-7Eph 3:20-21
Luke 2:1515When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.”Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:1 Pet 3:22Matt 2:1-2Exod 3:3Matt 2:9-112 Kgs 2:12 Kgs 2:11John 20:1-10Luke 24:51Matt 12:42Ps 111:2
Luke 2:1616So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 19:32Luke 2:12Luke 2:7Luke 1:39Luke 22:13Eccl 9:10
Luke 2:1717When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child,Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 8:39Ps 66:16Ps 71:17-18Luke 2:38Mal 3:16Ps 16:9-10John 1:41-46
Luke 2:1818and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 1:65-66Luke 2:33Luke 2:47Luke 4:36Luke 5:9-10Isa 8:18
Luke 2:1919But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 2:51Luke 1:661 Sam 21:12Gen 37:11Prov 4:4Hos 14:9Luke 9:43-44
Luke 2:2020So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Ps 106:481 Chr 29:10-12Acts 11:18Isa 29:19Ps 72:17-19Acts 2:46-47Luke 18:43Luke 19:37-38Matt 9:8Ps 107:15
Luke 2:2121At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Gen 17:12Lev 12:3Luke 1:31Gal 4:4-5Luke 1:59Matt 1:21Matt 3:15Matt 1:25Phil 2:8
Luke 2:2222Now when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the LordCopy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Lev 12:1-8
Luke 2:2323(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male will be set apart to the Lord ” ),Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Exod 13:2Exod 22:29Num 3:13Exod 34:19Num 18:15Num 8:16-17Exod 13:12-15
Luke 2:2424and to offer a sacrifice according to what is specified in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves or two young pigeons.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Lev 12:6-8Lev 12:22 Cor 8:9
Luke 2:2525Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 25:9Luke 1:6Luke 2:38Titus 2:11-14Mark 15:43Luke 1:412 Pet 1:21Gen 6:9Isa 40:1Luke 1:67
Luke 2:2626It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:John 8:51Heb 11:5Luke 9:27Acts 10:38John 20:31Ps 25:14Acts 2:36Ps 89:48-49Acts 17:3Acts 9:20
Luke 2:2727So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law,Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 2:22Acts 10:19Luke 2:41Luke 2:48Luke 2:51Matt 4:1Acts 11:12Acts 16:7Luke 4:1Rev 1:10
Luke 2:2828Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying,Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 1:64Luke 2:13-14Luke 2:20Mark 9:36Luke 1:46Luke 1:68Mark 10:16Ps 105:1-3Ps 135:19-20Ps 32:11-33:1
Luke 2:2929“Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Rev 14:13Gen 15:15Gen 46:30Phil 1:23Isa 57:1-2Luke 2:26Ps 37:37
Luke 2:3030For my eyes have seen your salvationCopy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 49:6Gen 49:18Isa 52:10Luke 2:10-11Luke 3:62 Sam 23:1-5Acts 4:10-12
Luke 2:3131that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 42:1-4Isa 62:1-2Ps 98:2-3Isa 42:10-12Isa 45:21-25Ps 96:10-13Ps 97:6-8Ps 96:1-3
Luke 2:3232a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 60:1-3Isa 49:6Acts 26:23Acts 13:47-48Isa 42:6-7Isa 9:2Rev 21:23Acts 28:28Isa 60:19Matt 4:16
Luke 2:3333So the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 8:18Luke 1:65-66Luke 2:48
Luke 2:3434Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:1 Cor 1:231 Pet 2:7-8Isa 8:14-15Matt 21:442 Cor 2:15-16Acts 9:1-20Hos 14:91 Pet 4:14Acts 13:45Acts 17:6
Luke 2:3535Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed —and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!”Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:1 Cor 11:19Deut 8:2Acts 8:21-23John 15:22-24John 19:25Judg 5:15-16Luke 16:14-15Matt 12:24-35Ps 42:101 John 2:19
Luke 2:3636There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Ps 92:14Exod 15:20Gen 30:13Acts 2:18Acts 21:9Judg 4:41 Cor 12:12 Kgs 22:14Job 5:26Rev 7:6
Luke 2:3737She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:1 Tim 5:5Ps 23:6Acts 14:23Acts 13:3Ps 27:4Acts 26:7Exod 38:8Luke 5:33Ps 135:1-2Ps 22:2
Luke 2:3838At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 2:252 Cor 9:15Luke 1:68Luke 24:21Mark 15:43Eph 1:3Luke 1:46-56Luke 2:28-32Luke 23:51Luke 1:64-66
Luke 2:3939So when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 2:4Deut 12:32Gal 4:4-5Matt 3:15Luke 2:21-24Luke 2:51Matt 2:22-23Luke 1:6
Luke 2:4040And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 2:52Luke 1:80Isa 11:1-5John 1:141 Sam 2:261 Sam 3:19Isa 53:1-2Luke 2:47Eph 6:10Ps 22:9
Luke 2:4141Now Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of the Passover.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Deut 12:18Deut 16:1-8Exod 12:14Exod 23:14-17Exod 34:23Lev 23:5Num 28:161 Sam 1:211 Sam 1:3Deut 12:11
Luke 2:4242When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AI
Luke 2:4343But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:2 Chr 25:172 Chr 30:21-23Exod 12:15
Luke 2:4444but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day’s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 2:3Ps 122:1-4Ps 42:4
Luke 2:4545When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AI
Luke 2:4646After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Isa 49:1-2Luke 5:17Acts 5:34Isa 50:4Matt 12:40Matt 27:63-641 Kgs 12:51 Kgs 12:12Luke 2:44-45Matt 16:21
Luke 2:4747And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Matt 7:28Luke 4:32Ps 119:99John 7:15John 7:46Luke 4:22Mark 1:22
Luke 2:4848When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 2:49Matt 12:46Luke 3:23Luke 4:22
Luke 2:4949But he replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:John 6:38John 8:29Mal 3:1Ps 40:8John 4:34Luke 2:48John 5:17Matt 21:12John 2:16-17John 9:4
Luke 2:5050Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 18:34Luke 9:45Mark 9:32
Luke 2:5151Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 2:19Dan 7:28Gen 37:11Mark 6:31 Pet 2:21Eph 5:21Eph 6:1-2Matt 3:15Luke 2:39
Luke 2:5252And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.Copy LinkKJV+Strong’sMany Bible VersionsAsk AICross Refs:Luke 2:40Prov 3:3-41 Sam 2:26Rom 14:18Luke 1:80Acts 7:9-10
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