Luke 2:20 Meaning: After the Miracle
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
and the shepherds turned back, glorifying and praising God, for all those things they heard and saw, as it was spoken unto them.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things which they had heard and seen, as it had been said to them.
Meaning in one sentence
The shepherds saw the baby, then returned to their flocks praising. Learn what their response teaches about worship in ordinary days.
Context
This verse comes near the end of Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth. Shepherds were watching their flocks near Bethlehem when an angel appeared with stunning news: a Savior had been born. Then a whole host of angels filled the sky, praising God. The shepherds hurried to town and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a feeding trough, just as the angel had said. They told everyone what they had seen and heard. Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart. And then the shepherds did something ordinary and extraordinary at the same time, they went back to their fields, back to their sheep, and they were glorifying and praising God the whole way.
Key Words
Two Greek verbs carry the weight of the shepherds’ worship. The first, doxazontes (from doxazō), means to honor, celebrate, or ascribe weight to someone. It is the same word used for giving glory to God. It is active, not just a feeling, but something you do with your voice and your whole self. The second, ainountes (from aineō), means to sing praise, specifically to God. It appears only eight times in the New Testament, and each time it describes the joy that rises when people recognize who God is and what He has done. Together, these two verbs paint a picture: worship that is both spoken and sung, both heartfelt and voiced. And the little phrase kathōs elalēthē, “just as it was told them”, reminds us that their praise was rooted in the exact match between God’s promise and what they saw with their own eyes.
How Christians Read This Verse
Chrisians across traditions have seen the shepherds as a model for how to respond to God’s revelation. Matthew Henry notes that they “returned to their business” but took their praise with them. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, sees them as a picture for pastors: after contemplating the prophecies and the gospel story, they ought to return to their flocks with the same kind of joyful certainty. Calvin emphasizes that the shepherds’ zeal reproves our own sluggishness, if the sight of a baby in a manger could move them so deeply, how much more should the death and resurrection of Christ stir us. All traditions agree that the shepherds teach us that true worship is not confined to a single moment, but goes with us back into ordinary life.
A common misunderstanding
It is easy to read this verse and think that the shepherds’ worship was only about the excitement of the night, the angels, the stable, the baby. In fact, the verse emphasizes that they returned glorifying and praising. Their worship did not end when the extraordinary moment passed. It carried into the ordinary. The real test of worship is not how we feel during the high point, but what happens on the way back to the fields.
Living This Out
This week, you will have moments when you see God at work clearly, maybe in an answered prayer, a kindness from someone, a verse that lands with fresh meaning. The temptation is to let that moment fade as you return to your regular commitments. The shepherds show another way. Before you go back to work or school or the dinner dishes, take a breath. Speak a word of thanks out loud. If you can, sing something simple, even a line from a hymn or a worship song. Let the praise travel with you. It will change what Monday feels like.
Main takeaway: Worship is not just what we do when we see God at work; it is what we carry with us when we return to the ordinary.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
The shepherds saw baby Jesus, and they were so happy they praised God all the way back to their sheep. You can praise God when you go back to your toys or your school, too.
For ages 9, 12
The shepherds didn’t stay at the stable forever. They went back to their fields, back to their regular job. But they kept praising God. Their worship didn’t end when the excitement stopped. That’s a lesson for us: worship is for every part of life, not just the special moments. You can thank God on the bus, while you do chores, or when you help a friend. Praise can go anywhere you go.
Questions People Ask
Why did the shepherds go back to their fields after seeing Jesus?
They had sheep to care for, and their ordinary work still needed to be done. But Luke specifically says they returned 'glorifying and praising God.' Their worship did not stop when they left the stable. It traveled with them into their everyday lives.
What does 'glorifying and praising' God mean in this verse?
'Glorifying' means honoring God, giving Him the weight and worth He deserves. 'Praising' means singing or speaking His greatness with joy. Together they describe an active, outward response to seeing God keep His promise.
How does this verse connect to the angel's message earlier?
The angel told the shepherds exactly what they would find, a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a feeding trough. Verse 20 says 'just as it was told them.' Their praise was rooted in the perfect match between God’s word and what they experienced.
Is this verse only about the shepherds, or does it apply to us?
The shepherds are an example for all Christians. They show us that worship is not just a one-time event at a special moment. It can continue as we go back to our daily responsibilities. Their response invites us to bring praise into our own ordinary routines.
Does this verse teach anything about how to handle disappointment after a spiritual high?
Indirectly, yes. The shepherds did not try to make the night last forever. They accepted that the extraordinary moment was over, yet they kept praising. That pattern can help us when a mountaintop experience gives way to everyday life: the praise can still be real.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study