Luke 2:4 New English Translation
4 So[a] Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth[b] in Galilee to Judea, to the city[c] of David called Bethlehem,[d] because he was of the house[e] and family line[f] of David.
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- Luke 2:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the consequential nature of the action.
- Luke 2:4 sn On Nazareth see Luke 1:26.
- Luke 2:4 tn Or “town.” The translation “city” is used here because of its collocation with “of David,” suggesting its importance, though not its size.
- Luke 2:4 sn The journey from Nazareth to the city of David called Bethlehem was a journey of about 90 mi (150 km). Bethlehem was a small village located about 7 miles south-southwest of Jerusalem.
- Luke 2:4 sn Luke’s use of the term “house” probably alludes to the original promise made to David outlined in the Nathan oracle of 2 Sam 7:12-16, especially in light of earlier connections between Jesus and David made in Luke 1:32. Further, the mention of Bethlehem reminds one of the promise of Mic 5:2, namely, that a great king would emerge from Bethlehem to rule over God’s people.
- Luke 2:4 tn Or “family,” “lineage.”
New English Translation (NET)
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