¹ sn The strips of cloth (traditionally, “swaddling cloths”) were strips of linen that would be wrapped around the arms and legs of an infant to keep the limbs protected.

² tn Or “a feeding trough.”

³ tn The Greek word κατάλυμα is flexible, and usage in the LXX and NT refers to a variety of places for lodging (see BDAG 521 s.v.). Most likely Joseph and Mary sought lodging in the public accommodations in the city of Bethlehem (see J. Nolland, Luke [WBC], 1:105), which would have been crude shelters for people and animals. However, it has been suggested by various scholars that Joseph and Mary were staying with relatives in Bethlehem (e.g., C. S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 194; B. Witherington, “Birth of Jesus,” DJG, 69-70); if that were so the term would refer to the guest room in the relatives’ house, which would have been filled beyond capacity with all the other relatives who had to journey to Bethlehem for the census.

sn There was no place for them in the inn. There is no drama in how this is told. There is no search for a variety of places to stay or a heartless innkeeper. (Such items are later, nonbiblical embellishments.) Bethlehem was not large and there was simply no other place to stay. The humble surroundings of the birth are ironic in view of the birth’s significance.

⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the conclusion of the topic.

⁵ tn Grk “when they”; the referents (Joseph and Mary) have been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁶ tn Or “completed.”

⁷ sn On the phrase the law of the Lord see Luke 2:22-23.

⁸ tn Or “city.”

⁹ map For location see Map1 D3; Map2 C2; Map3 D5; Map4 C1; Map5 G3.

¹⁰ tc Most mss (A Θ Ψ Ë^1,13 33 Ï) read πνεύματι (pneumati, “in spirit”) after “became strong,” but this looks like an assimilation to Luke 1:80. The better witnesses (א B D L N W pc lat co) lack the word.

¹¹ sn With the description grew and became strong, filled with wisdom Luke emphasizes the humanity of Jesus and his growth toward maturity.

¹² tn Or “grace.”

¹³ sn On the phrase the favor of God see Luke 1:66.

¹⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

¹⁵ map For location see Map1 D3; Map2 C2; Map3 D5; Map4 C1; Map5 G3.

¹⁶ tn Or “was submitting.”

¹⁷ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast.

¹⁸ tn Or “all these words.”

¹⁹ sn On the phrase his mother kept all these things in her heart compare Luke 2:19.

²⁰ tn Or “kept increasing.” The imperfect tense suggests something of a progressive force to the verb.