Luke 2:12
New International Version
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

New Living Translation
And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

English Standard Version
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Berean Standard Bible
And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Berean Literal Bible
And this is the sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, and lying in a manger."

King James Bible
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

New King James Version
And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

New American Standard Bible
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

NASB 1995
“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

NASB 1977
“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Amplified Bible
And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.”

Christian Standard Bible
This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

American Standard Version
And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

Contemporary English Version
You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay."

English Revised Version
And this is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is how you will recognize him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger."

Good News Translation
And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

International Standard Version
And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough."

Majority Standard Bible
And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

NET Bible
This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger."

New Heart English Bible
This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."

Webster's Bible Translation
And this shall be a sign to you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger.

Weymouth New Testament
And this is the token for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

World English Bible
This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And this [is] the sign to you: you will find a Baby wrapped up, lying in the manger.”

Berean Literal Bible
And this is the sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, and lying in a manger."

Young's Literal Translation
and this is to you the sign: Ye shall find a babe wrapped up, lying in the manger.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And this the sign to you; ye shall find the babe swathed, lying in a manger.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

New American Bible
And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

New Revised Standard Version
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And this is a sign for you; You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And this is a sign for you: You will find The Baby wrapped in swaddling bands and lying in a manger.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And this shall be to you the sign: you will find the babe wrapped in swathing-clothes, and lying in a stable.

Godbey New Testament
And this shall be the sign unto you; you shall find an infant lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Haweis New Testament
And this shall be a sign for you; Ye shall find the babe in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger.

Mace New Testament
and by this sign shall you know him; you will find the babe swathed, lying in a manger.

Weymouth New Testament
And this is the token for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

Worrell New Testament
And this is the sign to you: ye will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger."

Worsley New Testament
And this shall be a sign to you, Ye shall find the child wrapped in swaddling bands lying in a manger.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Shepherds and the Angels
11Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! 12And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:…

Cross References
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

Micah 5:2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Philippians 2:7
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Matthew 2:6
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”

Hebrews 2:14
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,

1 Timothy 3:16
By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.

Galatians 4:4
But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Revelation 12:5
And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.

Isaiah 53:2
He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him.

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.


Treasury of Scripture

And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Exodus 3:12
And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

1 Samuel 10:2-7
When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? …

Psalm 22:6
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Jump to Previous
Babe Baby Cattle Child Cloth Clothes Cloths es Feeding Find Folded Food Lying Manger Sign Strips Swaddling Swaddling-Clothes Token Trough Wrapped Young
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Babe Baby Cattle Child Cloth Clothes Cloths es Feeding Find Folded Food Lying Manger Sign Strips Swaddling Swaddling-Clothes Token Trough Wrapped Young
Luke 2
1. Augustus taxes all the Roman empire.
6. The nativity of Jesus.
8. An angel relates it to the shepherds, and many sing praises to God for it.
15. The shepherds glorify God.
21. Jesus is circumcised.
22. Mary purified.
25. Simeon and Anna prophesy of Jesus,
39. who increases in wisdom,
41. questions in the temple with the teachers,
51. and is obedient to his parents.














And this will be a sign to you
The word "sign" in Greek is "σημεῖον" (sēmeion), which often denotes a miraculous or divine indicator. In the context of the birth of Jesus, the sign is not a grandiose miracle but a humble and unexpected one. The shepherds, who were considered lowly and unclean by societal standards, are given this divine sign, emphasizing God's grace and the breaking of social barriers. This sign is a testament to God's plan of salvation being accessible to all, regardless of status.

You will find a baby
The Greek word for "baby" is "βρέφος" (brephos), which refers to an infant or newborn. The use of this term highlights the humanity and vulnerability of Jesus, God incarnate. It underscores the mystery of the Incarnation, where the divine takes on human flesh, beginning life as a helpless infant. This profound truth is central to Christian theology, emphasizing that Jesus fully experienced human life from its very beginning.

wrapped in swaddling cloths
The phrase "swaddling cloths" refers to strips of cloth used to wrap infants tightly, a common practice in ancient times to provide warmth and security. The Greek word "σπαργανόω" (sparganoō) is used here, indicating the normalcy and humility of Jesus' birth. This detail connects Jesus to the common people, showing that He did not come in royal splendor but in simplicity and humility. It also foreshadows His eventual burial, where He would again be wrapped in cloths, pointing to His mission of sacrifice and redemption.

and lying in a manger
The term "manger" comes from the Greek "φάτνη" (phatnē), meaning a feeding trough for animals. This setting is significant, as it highlights the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth. The manger, a place for animals, symbolizes the rejection and lack of hospitality Jesus would face throughout His life. Yet, it also signifies that Jesus is the Bread of Life, accessible to all who seek Him. The manger scene fulfills Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah's humble beginnings and serves as a powerful image of God's love and humility.

(12) This shall be a sign unto you.--The sign was not such in itself, but became so by its agreement with the prediction. It was something exceptional that a new-born infant should be found, not in a cradle, but in a manger; still stranger that that infant babe should be the heir of the House of David.

Verse 12. - Lying in a manger. This was to be the sign. On that night there would, perhaps, be no other children born in the Bethlehem village; certainly the shepherds would find no other newly born infant cradled in a manger.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

this [will be]
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

a
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sign
σημεῖον (sēmeion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4592: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.

to you:
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

You will find
εὑρήσετε (heurēsete)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

a baby
βρέφος (brephos)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1025: Infant, babe, child in arms. Of uncertain affinity; an infant literally or figuratively.

wrapped in swaddling cloths
ἐσπαργανωμένον (esparganōmenon)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4683: To swathe, wrap in swaddling clothes. From sparganon; to swathe.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

lying
κείμενον (keimenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2749: To lie, recline, be placed, be laid, set, specially appointed, destined. Middle voice of a primary verb; to lie outstretched.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

a manger.”
φάτνῃ (phatnē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5336: A manger, feeding-trough, stall. From pateomai; a crib.


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NT Gospels: Luke 2:12 This is the sign to you: you (Luke Lu Lk)
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