As Part of a new series called:
Things That Make You Go Hmmm?

Luke 2:8
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

Why does the Gospel writer Matthew mention the wise men coming to Jesus, and why does the Gospel writer Luke mention shepherds coming to Jesus?

Last time we addressed Matthew’s wise men part of this two-part question. This time we will concentrate on answering part two: Why does the Gospel writer Luke mention shepherds coming to Jesus?

As we did last week with Matthew’s Gospel, let’s think about some things we know about Luke’s Gospel? First, from his Gospel and the Book of Acts, which Luke also authored, plus Paul’s writings, we know that Luke was a Gentile. (FYI: Luke is the only Gentile author in the New Testament.) We also know from the New Testament accounts that Luke was a physician. What do we know in general about physicians or rather what should be a doctor’s primary concern? My answer would be, a doctor’s primary concern should be people or mankind and a good physician is concerned about everyone, regardless of social status. From studying we know that Luke paints us a picture of Jesus as the “Son of Man”. We also know that Luke’s Gospel is a compilation of eye-witness accounts of which he had perfect understanding.

Let me briefly restate some main points you should gather from all of the above: 1.) Luke was not one of the twelve Apostles! 2.) Luke was never directly taught by Jesus, he was not even Jewish. Luke was a Gentile! 3.) Nevertheless, Luke was obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit to write his orderly account of the life of Jesus.

So, why does Luke point out that the shepherds came to the birth of Jesus? Once again, Christ’s genealogy is a key component to the answer. Unlike Matthew’s Gospel which focused on a Jewish audience that was foremost concerned with Hebrew prophecy, Luke’s Gospel is primarily written to Gentile believers. Matthews’s genealogy begins with Abraham, the first Jew. Luke’s genealogy begins with Adam, the “First Man” (see Luke 3:38). This does not mean that Matthew, Luke or any of the Four Gospels in anyway disagree on the message. All four Gospel accounts are complimentary and not contradictory. Each writer is painting a Holy Spirit inspired picture of Jesus from their own perspective as God chose them to.

By chronicling the angel visit to these lowly shepherds, Luke, while confirming our Lord’s Royal heritage by telling us in Luke 2:4 that He is of the house of David, is pointing to the humble task that Jesus must complete all alone. Luke the Gentile Physician has been inspired to use this “sign” (Luke 2:12) unto these shepherds as a sign unto the non-Jews, that Jesus is a different kind of King. You see most Gentiles then did not have all the prophecy knowledge that Matthew’s intended audience had and we have today. But they understood social class distinctions as well as anyone. So, by showing Christ’s humility via His humble birth circumstances, then showing His genealogy all the way back to the “First Man Adam”, Luke as does Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 begins to set up this picture of Jesus as the “Son of Man” and "Son of God”; the "Second Man Adam" who did what the first man could not do.

I want to close by saying that Luke’s Gospel is not only in perfect harmony with Matthew, Mark and John, but that Luke’s Gospel along with Acts is a perfect complement and guide to all of the books written by Paul the Apostle "born out of due time" (1 Corinthians 15:8).

Next time: Why Context Matters