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The Nativity in Ancient Greek (Luke 2)

This is the passage read at Christmas services all over the world, from Caesar's decree to the shepherds. Many of its Greek words have children in English, so as you read it, you keep finding things you already half know.

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The text and translation

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἐξῆλθεν δόγμα παρὰ Καίσαρος Αὐγούστου ἀπογράφεσθαι πᾶσαν τὴν οἰκουμένην·

Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.

Word by word
Ἐγένετο
to come into being, be born
δὲ
but, on the other hand, and
ἐν
in, on, among
ταῖς
the
ἡμέραις
a day
ἐκείναις
that, that one there, yonder
ἐξῆλθεν
to go out, come out
δόγμα
a decree, edict, ordinance
παρὰ
from, in the presence of
Καίσαρος
Caesar
Αὐγούστου
Augustus
ἀπογράφεσθαι
to enroll, inscribe in a register
πᾶσαν
all, the whole, every kind of
τὴν
the
οἰκουμένην
the inhabited (Roman) world

(⸀αὕτη ἀπογραφὴ πρώτη ἐγένετο ἡγεμονεύοντος τῆς Συρίας Κυρηνίου·)

This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Word by word
(⸀αὕτη
this, he, she, it
ἀπογραφὴ
an enrollment, census-taking, record
πρώτη
first, before
ἐγένετο
to come into being, be born
ἡγεμονεύοντος
to govern
τῆς
the
Συρίας
Syria
Κυρηνίου·)
Quirinius

καὶ ἐπορεύοντο πάντες ἀπογράφεσθαι, ἕκαστος εἰς τὴν ⸀ἑαυτοῦ πόλιν.

All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.

Word by word
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἐπορεύοντο
to travel, journey, go
πάντες
all, the whole, every kind of
ἀπογράφεσθαι
to enroll, inscribe in a register
ἕκαστος
each, every one
εἰς
into, in, among, till, for
τὴν
the
⸀ἑαυτοῦ
himself, herself, itself
πόλιν
a city

Ἀνέβη δὲ καὶ Ἰωσὴφ ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐκ πόλεως Ναζαρὲθ εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν εἰς πόλιν Δαυὶδ ἥτις καλεῖται Βηθλέεμ, διὰ τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν ἐξ οἴκου καὶ πατριᾶς Δαυίδ,

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

Word by word
Ἀνέβη
to go up, mount, ascend
δὲ
but, on the other hand, and
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
Ἰωσὴφ
Joseph
ἀπὸ
from, away from
τῆς
the
Γαλιλαίας
Galilee
ἐκ
from out, out from among, from
πόλεως
a city
Ναζαρὲθ
Nazareth
εἰς
into, in, among, till, for
τὴν
the
Ἰουδαίαν
Judea
εἰς
into, in, among, till, for
πόλιν
a city
Δαυὶδ
David
ἥτις
whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever
καλεῖται
to call, invite, name
Βηθλέεμ
Bethlehem
διὰ
through, on account of
τὸ
the
εἶναι
to be, exist
αὐτὸν
he, she, it, they, them, same
ἐξ
from out, out from among, from
οἴκου
a house, household
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
πατριᾶς
a family, tribe
Δαυίδ
David

ἀπογράψασθαι σὺν Μαριὰμ τῇ ⸂ἐμνηστευμένῃ αὐτῷ⸃, οὔσῃ ἐγκύῳ.

to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.

Word by word
ἀπογράψασθαι
to enroll, inscribe in a register
σὺν
with
Μαριὰμ
Mary
τῇ
the
⸂ἐμνηστευμένῃ
to be engaged (to marry)
αὐτῷ⸃
he, she, it, they, them, same
οὔσῃ
to be, exist
ἐγκύῳ
with child, pregnant

ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖ ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ τεκεῖν αὐτήν,

While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.

Word by word
ἐγένετο
to come into being, be born
δὲ
but, on the other hand, and
ἐν
in, on, among
τῷ
the
εἶναι
to be, exist
αὐτοὺς
he, she, it, they, them, same
ἐκεῖ
there, yonder, thither
ἐπλήσθησαν
to fill
αἱ
the
ἡμέραι
a day
τοῦ
the
τεκεῖν
to bear, bring forth, produce
αὐτήν
he, she, it, they, them, same

καὶ ἔτεκεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον, καὶ ἐσπαργάνωσεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἀνέκλινεν αὐτὸν ⸀ἐν φάτνῃ, διότι οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῖς τόπος ἐν τῷ καταλύματι.

She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Word by word
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἔτεκεν
to bear, bring forth, produce
τὸν
the
υἱὸν
a son, descendent
αὐτῆς
he, she, it, they, them, same
τὸν
the
πρωτότοκον
first-born
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἐσπαργάνωσεν
to wrap in swaddling clothes
αὐτὸν
he, she, it, they, them, same
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἀνέκλινεν
to make to recline, recline at a table
αὐτὸν
he, she, it, they, them, same
⸀ἐν
in, on, among
φάτνῃ
a manger, feeding-trough
διότι
on this account, because, for
οὐκ
no, not
ἦν
to be, exist
αὐτοῖς
he, she, it, they, them, same
τόπος
a place
ἐν
in, on, among
τῷ
the
καταλύματι
an inn, lodging-place

Καὶ ποιμένες ἦσαν ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ τῇ αὐτῇ ἀγραυλοῦντες καὶ φυλάσσοντες φυλακὰς τῆς νυκτὸς ἐπὶ τὴν ποίμνην αὐτῶν.

There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

Word by word
Καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ποιμένες
a shepherd
ἦσαν
to be, exist
ἐν
in, on, among
τῇ
the
χώρᾳ
region, land, fields
τῇ
the
αὐτῇ
he, she, it, they, them, same
ἀγραυλοῦντες
to spend the night in the open
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
φυλάσσοντες
to keep, guard, observe
φυλακὰς
a watching, guard, prison, imprisonment
τῆς
the
νυκτὸς
the night, night-time
ἐπὶ
on, to, against, on the basis of, at
τὴν
the
ποίμνην
a flock
αὐτῶν
he, she, it, they, them, same

⸀καὶ ἄγγελος κυρίου ἐπέστη αὐτοῖς καὶ δόξα κυρίου περιέλαμψεν αὐτούς, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν·

Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Word by word
⸀καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἄγγελος
an angel, messenger
κυρίου
lord, Lord, master, sir
ἐπέστη
to stand by, be urgent, befall one, im...
αὐτοῖς
he, she, it, they, them, same
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
δόξα
honor, renown, glory splendor
κυρίου
lord, Lord, master, sir
περιέλαμψεν
to shine around
αὐτούς
he, she, it, they, them, same
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἐφοβήθησαν
to fear, be terrified
φόβον
fear, terror, reverence
μέγαν
large, great

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ἄγγελος· Μὴ φοβεῖσθε, ἰδοὺ γὰρ εὐαγγελίζομαι ὑμῖν χαρὰν μεγάλην ἥτις ἔσται παντὶ τῷ λαῷ,

The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

Word by word
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
εἶπεν
to say, speak
αὐτοῖς
he, she, it, they, them, same
ὁ
the
ἄγγελος
an angel, messenger
Μὴ
not, lest
φοβεῖσθε
to fear, be terrified
ἰδοὺ
See! Lo! Behold! Look!
γὰρ
for
εὐαγγελίζομαι
to bring good news, preach good tidings
ὑμῖν
you
χαρὰν
joy, gladness
μεγάλην
large, great
ἥτις
whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever
ἔσται
to be, exist
παντὶ
all, the whole, every kind of
τῷ
the
λαῷ
a people, the crowd

ὅτι ἐτέχθη ὑμῖν σήμερον σωτὴρ ὅς ἐστιν χριστὸς κύριος ἐν πόλει Δαυίδ·

For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Word by word
ὅτι
that, since, because
ἐτέχθη
to bear, bring forth, produce
ὑμῖν
you
σήμερον
today, now
σωτὴρ
a savior, deliverer, preserver
ὅς
who, which, what, that
ἐστιν
to be, exist
χριστὸς
anointed, the Messiah, the Christ
κύριος
lord, Lord, master, sir
ἐν
in, on, among
πόλει
a city
Δαυίδ
David

καὶ τοῦτο ὑμῖν ⸀τὸ σημεῖον, εὑρήσετε βρέφος ἐσπαργανωμένον ⸀καὶ κείμενον ἐν φάτνῃ.

This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”

Word by word
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
τοῦτο
this, he, she, it
ὑμῖν
you
⸀τὸ
the
σημεῖον
a sign, miracle, indication
εὑρήσετε
to find
βρέφος
infant, babe
ἐσπαργανωμένον
to wrap in swaddling clothes
⸀καὶ
and, even, also, namely
κείμενον
to lie, recline, be laid
ἐν
in, on, among
φάτνῃ
a manger, feeding-trough

καὶ ἐξαίφνης ἐγένετο σὺν τῷ ἀγγέλῳ πλῆθος στρατιᾶς ⸀οὐρανίου αἰνούντων τὸν θεὸν καὶ λεγόντων·

Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,

Word by word
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἐξαίφνης
suddenly, unexpectedly
ἐγένετο
to come into being, be born
σὺν
with
τῷ
the
ἀγγέλῳ
an angel, messenger
πλῆθος
a multitude
στρατιᾶς
an army, host of angels
⸀οὐρανίου
heavenly
αἰνούντων
to praise
τὸν
the
θεὸν
God, a god
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
λεγόντων
to say, speak

Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη ἐν ἀνθρώποις ⸀εὐδοκίας.

“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Word by word
Δόξα
honor, renown, glory splendor
ἐν
in, on, among
ὑψίστοις
highest, most high, the heights
θεῷ
God, a god
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἐπὶ
on, to, against, on the basis of, at
γῆς
the earth, soil, land
εἰρήνη
peace, peace of mind
ἐν
in, on, among
ἀνθρώποις
a man, one of the human race
⸀εὐδοκίας
good-will, favor

Καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἀπῆλθον ἀπ’ αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν οἱ ἄγγελοι, ⸀οἱ ποιμένες ⸀ἐλάλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους· Διέλθωμεν δὴ ἕως Βηθλέεμ καὶ ἴδωμεν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο τὸ γεγονὸς ὃ ὁ κύριος ἐγνώρισεν ἡμῖν.

When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Word by word
Καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἐγένετο
to come into being, be born
ὡς
as, like as, how, while, so that
ἀπῆλθον
to come or go away from, depart, return
ἀπ’
from, away from
αὐτῶν
he, she, it, they, them, same
εἰς
into, in, among, till, for
τὸν
the
οὐρανὸν
the sky, the heaven
οἱ
the
ἄγγελοι
an angel, messenger
⸀οἱ
the
ποιμένες
a shepherd
⸀ἐλάλουν
to speak, say
πρὸς
to, towards, with
ἀλλήλους
one another
Διέλθωμεν
to pass through, spread a report
δὴ
so, then, indeed, truly
ἕως
until, as far as
Βηθλέεμ
Bethlehem
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἴδωμεν
to see, look upon, experience
τὸ
the
ῥῆμα
a thing spoken
τοῦτο
this, he, she, it
τὸ
the
γεγονὸς
to come into being, be born
ὃ
who, which, what, that
ὁ
the
κύριος
lord, Lord, master, sir
ἐγνώρισεν
to make known, declare, know
ἡμῖν
I

καὶ ἦλθαν σπεύσαντες καὶ ἀνεῦραν τήν τε Μαριὰμ καὶ τὸν Ἰωσὴφ καὶ τὸ βρέφος κείμενον ἐν τῇ φάτνῃ·

They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.

Word by word
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἦλθαν
to come, go
σπεύσαντες
to hasten, desire earnestly
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ἀνεῦραν
to find by seeking out
τήν
the
τε
and, both
Μαριὰμ
Mary
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
τὸν
the
Ἰωσὴφ
Joseph
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
τὸ
the
βρέφος
infant, babe
κείμενον
to lie, recline, be laid
ἐν
in, on, among
τῇ
the
φάτνῃ
a manger, feeding-trough

ἰδόντες δὲ ⸀ἐγνώρισαν περὶ τοῦ ῥήματος τοῦ λαληθέντος αὐτοῖς περὶ τοῦ παιδίου τούτου.

When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

Word by word
ἰδόντες
to see, look upon, experience
δὲ
but, on the other hand, and
⸀ἐγνώρισαν
to make known, declare, know
περὶ
about, concerning, around
τοῦ
the
ῥήματος
a thing spoken
τοῦ
the
λαληθέντος
to speak, say
αὐτοῖς
he, she, it, they, them, same
περὶ
about, concerning, around
τοῦ
the
παιδίου
a little child, an infant
τούτου
this, he, she, it

καὶ πάντες οἱ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύμασαν περὶ τῶν λαληθέντων ὑπὸ τῶν ποιμένων πρὸς αὐτούς,

All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.

Word by word
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
πάντες
all, the whole, every kind of
οἱ
the
ἀκούσαντες
to hear, listen
ἐθαύμασαν
to wonder, admire
περὶ
about, concerning, around
τῶν
the
λαληθέντων
to speak, say
ὑπὸ
by, under, about
τῶν
the
ποιμένων
a shepherd
πρὸς
to, towards, with
αὐτούς
he, she, it, they, them, same

ἡ δὲ ⸀Μαρία πάντα συνετήρει τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα συμβάλλουσα ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς.

But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.

Word by word
ἡ
the
δὲ
but, on the other hand, and
⸀Μαρία
Mary, Miriam
πάντα
all, the whole, every kind of
συνετήρει
to preserve, keep safe, keep in mind
τὰ
the
ῥήματα
a thing spoken
ταῦτα
this, he, she, it
συμβάλλουσα
to ponder, encounter, confer or disput...
ἐν
in, on, among
τῇ
the
καρδίᾳ
the heart, inner life, intention
αὐτῆς
he, she, it, they, them, same

καὶ ὑπέστρεψαν οἱ ποιμένες δοξάζοντες καὶ αἰνοῦντες τὸν θεὸν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ἤκουσαν καὶ εἶδον καθὼς ἐλαλήθη πρὸς αὐτούς.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

Word by word
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
ὑπέστρεψαν
to turn back, return
οἱ
the
ποιμένες
a shepherd
δοξάζοντες
to glorify, honor, bestow glory on
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
αἰνοῦντες
to praise
τὸν
the
θεὸν
God, a god
ἐπὶ
on, to, against, on the basis of, at
πᾶσιν
all, the whole, every kind of
οἷς
who, which, what, that
ἤκουσαν
to hear, listen
καὶ
and, even, also, namely
εἶδον
to see, look upon, experience
καθὼς
just as, as
ἐλαλήθη
to speak, say
πρὸς
to, towards, with
αὐτούς
he, she, it, they, them, same

What to notice

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Sources

SBL Greek New Testament with MorphGNT tagging. English: World English Bible, which follows the Majority Text and may add words this edition does not have.
Text licence: Text CC BY 4.0 (SBLGNT); tagging CC BY-SA 3.0 (MorphGNT).
Language pack licence: Text CC BY 4.0 (SBLGNT); tagging CC BY-SA 3.0 (MorphGNT); glosses CC0.
Text: The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition, Copyright 2010 Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software (CC BY 4.0). Lemmas and parsing: MorphGNT (James Tauber et al., CC BY-SA 3.0). Glosses: Dodson Greek-English Lexicon (CC0), with AI-written corrections (marked "ai"). English: World English Bible (public domain, eBible.org); it translates the Majority Text, so a verse’s English sometimes has words this Greek edition does not (e.g. the end of the Lord’s Prayer).
The introduction and notes on this page were written by Claude (AI). Word glosses are AI-assisted, and so is the English unless the source above names another translator.

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