Luke 2:20 – “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Extended Explanation
This verse describes the shepherds’ response after they visited Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. They had experienced something miraculous—angels appearing to them, the fulfillment of the angelic message, and the sight of the Savior lying in a manger. After witnessing these things, the shepherds returned to their fields, but they didn’t return the same. They were filled with joy, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen.
The phrase “just as they had been told” is significant. It shows that God’s Word is reliable and trustworthy. The shepherds had acted on the angel’s message, and everything they saw confirmed what God had said. Their response of worship wasn’t just about what they had seen—it was a reaction to the faithfulness of God’s promises.
Historical Context
Shepherds were often seen as humble, lowly workers, but they played an important role in society by caring for sheep, which were often used in temple sacrifices. Despite their societal status, God chose them to be the first to witness the arrival of the Messiah and to share the good news.
The shepherds’ return to their fields reflects the practical reality of their lives. They couldn’t stay in Bethlehem indefinitely—they had responsibilities to tend their flocks. But their experience with Jesus transformed their everyday work. As they returned to their normal duties, their hearts were filled with praise and worship.
Praising God through song or public declaration was a common way for Jewish people to respond to God’s work. The shepherds’ worship aligns with this cultural practice, but their experience added a personal, life-changing element to their praise.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the importance of worship as a natural response to encountering God. The shepherds didn’t need a temple or a formal religious setting to glorify God. Their worship overflowed from their hearts as they returned to their daily work. This reminds us that worship isn’t confined to a church service—it’s a lifestyle that flows from experiencing God’s goodness and faithfulness.
The phrase “just as they had been told” emphasizes God’s trustworthiness. The shepherds acted on God’s Word, and they found everything exactly as He said it would be. This shows that God’s promises are dependable, and when He speaks, we can trust Him to fulfill what He says.
Their worship also underscores the idea that faith leads to action. The shepherds heard the message, responded by seeking Jesus, and then shared their experience with others. Their final response—glorifying and praising God—demonstrates that faith should ultimately lead us to worship and thanksgiving.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s narrative in this verse ties together key themes from the entire birth story. The shepherds’ return “glorifying and praising God” echoes the earlier angelic praise of “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14). This literary parallel highlights the continuity between heaven and earth in response to Jesus’ birth. The heavenly host praised God, and now the shepherds join in that same worship.
The phrase “returned” is significant because it shows that while the shepherds returned to their normal lives, they were changed. Their encounter with Jesus didn’t remove them from their work, but it transformed the way they approached it. Luke’s choice to end this section with the shepherds praising God reinforces the theme that encountering Jesus changes everything.
Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 105:1-2 – “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.”
- Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
- James 2:17 – “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
- Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a powerful reminder that encountering Jesus should lead to worship and transformed living. The shepherds’ response wasn’t temporary excitement—it was the beginning of a life of praise. Likewise, when we experience God’s goodness, our response should be ongoing worship, not just in church but in every aspect of life.
This verse also encourages Christians to trust God’s promises. The shepherds acted on the angel’s message, and their experience confirmed that God’s Word is true. We can have the same confidence in God’s promises today. When He speaks through Scripture, we can trust that He will fulfill what He says.
Additionally, the shepherds’ return to their normal work reminds us that worship isn’t limited to special moments. We can glorify God in our daily routines, whether we’re at work, at home, or in the community. Like the shepherds, we can bring the joy of knowing Christ into our everyday lives.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is evident in the way He involved the shepherds in His plan of salvation. He didn’t reveal the birth of Jesus to kings or religious leaders first—He revealed it to ordinary shepherds, showing that His love reaches everyone. By allowing the shepherds to witness the Savior and share the good news, God demonstrated His desire for all people to be part of His plan.
The shepherds’ praise also reflects God’s loving faithfulness. They glorified God because everything they saw confirmed His Word. This reveals that God’s love isn’t just shown in grand miracles but in His consistent, trustworthy character. His promises can be relied upon because they flow from His unchanging love.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is at the center of the shepherds’ worship because He is the fulfillment of God’s promises. Their praise wasn’t generic—it was specific, focused on what they had seen and heard about the Savior. This foreshadows the way Jesus would later transform the lives of those who followed Him, leading them to lives of worship and service.
Jesus is also the reason the shepherds’ everyday work was transformed. As the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), Jesus came to bring purpose and meaning to all aspects of life. Just as the shepherds returned to their fields with a new sense of joy and worship, believers today are called to live with purpose, knowing that their work, no matter how ordinary, can glorify God when done with a heart of worship.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think the shepherds were so eager to glorify and praise God after seeing Jesus?
- How can you make worship a regular part of your daily life, not just something you do on Sundays?
- What promises of God have you seen fulfilled in your life, and how can you give Him praise for them?
- How does this verse encourage you to trust God’s Word and act on His promises?
- In what ways can you bring the joy of knowing Christ into your daily work and routines?