---
title: "Luke 2 – Catholic Bible (CPDV) & Latin Vulgate · Bless"
url: https://blessbible.app/bible/luke/2/
description: "The birth of Christ. His presentation in the temple. Simeon's prophecy. Christ at… Luke 2 in the Catholic Public Domain Version, with the Latin Vulgate."
---

# Luke 2

Luke 2 is chapter 2 of 24 in the Gospel of Luke. Here are all 52 verses in the Catholic Public Domain Version, with the Latin of the Clementine Vulgate beside them.

> The birth of Christ. His presentation in the temple. Simeon's prophecy. Christ at twelve years of age, is found amongst the doctors.
>
> — Bp. Richard Challoner, chapter summary

## Luke 2 (Catholic Public Domain Version)

1. And it happened in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, so that the whole world would be enrolled.
2. This was the first enrollment; it was made by the ruler of Syria, Quirinius.
3. And all went to be declared, each one to his own city.
4. Then Joseph also ascended from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5. in order to be declared, with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.
6. Then it happened that, while they were there, the days were completed, so that she would give birth.
7. And she brought forth her firstborn son. And she wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn.
8. And there were shepherds in the same region, being vigilant and keeping watch in the night over their flock.
9. And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood near them, and the brightness of God shone around them, and they were struck with a great fear.
10. And the Angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. For, behold, I proclaim to you a great joy, which will be for all the people.
11. For today a Savior has been born for you in the city of David: he is Christ the Lord.
12. And this will be a sign for you: you will find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
13. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the celestial army, praising God and saying,
14. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”
15. And it happened that, when the Angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us cross over to Bethlehem and see this word, which has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us.”
16. And they went quickly. And they found Mary and Joseph; and the infant was lying in a manger.
17. Then, upon seeing this, they understood the word that had been spoken to them about this boy.
18. And all who heard it were amazed by this, and by those things which were told to them by the shepherds.
19. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.
20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told to them.
21. And after eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, just as he was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22. And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,
23. just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,”
24. and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
26. And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27. And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
28. he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
29. “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.
30. For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31. which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
32. the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
33. And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
34. And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
35. And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36. And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity.
37. And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day.
38. And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.
39. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.
40. Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.
41. And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover.
42. And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day.
43. And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this.
44. But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45. And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46. And it happened that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and questioning them.
47. But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses.
48. And upon seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: “Son, why have you acted this way toward us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you in sorrow.”
49. And he said to them: “How is it that you were seeking me? For did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in these things which are of my Father?”
50. And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.
51. And he descended with them and went to Nazareth. And he was subordinate to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.
52. And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace, with God and men.

## Luke 2 in Latin (Clementine Vulgate, 1592)

1. Factum est autem in diebus illis, exiit edictum a Cæsare Augusto ut describeretur universus orbis.
2. Hæc descriptio prima facta est a præside Syriæ Cyrino:
3. et ibant omnes ut profiterentur singuli in suam civitatem.
4. Ascendit autem et Joseph a Galilæa de civitate Nazareth in Judæam, in civitatem David, quæ vocatur Bethlehem: eo quod esset de domo et familia David,
5. ut profiteretur cum Maria desponsata sibi uxore prægnante.
6. Factum est autem, cum essent ibi, impleti sunt dies ut pareret.
7. Et peperit filium suum primogenitum, et pannis eum involvit, et reclinavit eum in præsepio: quia non erat eis locus in diversorio.
8. Et pastores erant in regione eadem vigilantes, et custodientes vigilias noctis super gregem suum.
9. Et ecce angelus Domini stetit juxta illos, et claritas Dei circumfulsit illos, et timuerunt timore magno.
10. Et dixit illis angelus: Nolite timere: ecce enim evangelizo vobis gaudium magnum, quod erit omni populo:
11. quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator, qui est Christus Dominus, in civitate David.
12. Et hoc vobis signum: invenietis infantem pannis involutum, et positum in præsepio.
13. Et subito facta est cum angelo multitudo militiæ cælestis laudantium Deum, et dicentium:
14. Gloria in altissimis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis.
15. Et factum est, ut discesserunt ab eis angeli in cælum: pastores loquebantur ad invicem: Transeamus usque Bethlehem, et videamus hoc verbum, quod factum est, quod Dominus ostendit nobis.
16. Et venerunt festinantes: et invenerunt Mariam, et Joseph, et infantem positum in præsepio.
17. Videntes autem cognoverunt de verbo, quod dictum erat illis de puero hoc.
18. Et omnes qui audierunt, mirati sunt: et de his quæ dicta erant a pastoribus ad ipsos.
19. Maria autem conservabat omnia verba hæc, conferens in corde suo.
20. Et reversi sunt pastores glorificantes et laudantes Deum in omnibus quæ audierant et viderant, sicut dictum est ad illos.
21. Et postquam consummati sunt dies octo, ut circumcideretur puer, vocatum est nomen ejus Jesus, quod vocatum est ab angelo priusquam in utero conciperetur.
22. Et postquam impleti sunt dies purgationis ejus secundum legem Moysi, tulerunt illum in Jerusalem, ut sisterent eum Domino,
23. sicut scriptum est in lege Domini: Quia omne masculinum adaperiens vulvam, sanctum Domino vocabitur:
24. et ut darent hostiam secundum quod dictum est in lege Domini, par turturum, aut duos pullos columbarum.
25. Et ecce homo erat in Jerusalem, cui nomen Simeon, et homo iste justus, et timoratus, exspectans consolationem Israël: et Spiritus Sanctus erat in eo.
26. Et responsum acceperat a Spiritu Sancto, non visurum se mortem, nisi prius videret Christum Domini.
27. Et venit in spiritu in templum. Et cum inducerent puerum Jesum parentes ejus, ut facerent secundum consuetudinem legis pro eo,
28. et ipse accepit eum in ulnas suas: et benedixit Deum, et dixit:
29. Nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
30. quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum,
31. quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
32. lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuæ Israël.
33. Et erat pater ejus et mater mirantes super his quæ dicebantur de illo.
34. Et benedixit illis Simeon, et dixit ad Mariam matrem ejus: Ecce positus est hic in ruinam et in resurrectionem multorum in Israël, et in signum cui contradicetur:
35. et tuam ipsius animam pertransibit gladius ut revelentur ex multis cordibus cogitationes.
36. Et erat Anna prophetissa, filia Phanuel, de tribu Aser: hæc processerat in diebus multis, et vixerat cum viro suo annis septem a virginitate sua.
37. Et hæc vidua usque ad annos octoginta quatuor: quæ non discedebat de templo, jejuniis et obsecrationibus serviens nocte ac die.
38. Et hæc, ipsa hora superveniens, confitebatur Domino: et loquebatur de illo omnibus, qui exspectabant redemptionem Israël.
39. Et ut perfecerunt omnia secundum legem Domini, reversi sunt in Galilæam in civitatem suam Nazareth.
40. Puer autem crescebat, et confortabatur plenus sapientia: et gratia Dei erat in illo.
41. Et ibant parentes ejus per omnes annos in Jerusalem, in die solemni Paschæ.
42. Et cum factus esset annorum duodecim, ascendentibus illis Jerosolymam secundum consuetudinem diei festi,
43. consummatisque diebus, cum redirent, remansit puer Jesus in Jerusalem, et non cognoverunt parentes ejus.
44. Existimantes autem illum esse in comitatu, venerunt iter diei, et requirebant eum inter cognatos et notos.
45. Et non invenientes, regressi sunt in Jerusalem, requirentes eum.
46. Et factum est, post triduum invenerunt illum in templo sedentem in medio doctorum, audientem illos, et interrogantem eos.
47. Stupebant autem omnes qui eum audiebant, super prudentia et responsis ejus.
48. Et videntes admirati sunt. Et dixit mater ejus ad illum: Fili, quid fecisti nobis sic? ecce pater tuus et ego dolentes quærebamus te.
49. Et ait ad illos: Quid est quod me quærebatis? nesciebatis quia in his quæ Patris mei sunt, oportet me esse?
50. Et ipsi non intellexerunt verbum quod locutus est ad eos.
51. Et descendit cum eis, et venit Nazareth: et erat subditus illis. Et mater ejus conservabat omnia verba hæc in corde suo.
52. Et Jesus proficiebat sapientia, et ætate, et gratia apud Deum et homines.

## Catechism of the Catholic Church

Paragraph numbers and the Catechism's own section headings (never quoted); text at vatican.va.
- cf. CCC ¶ 515: The Mysteries of Christ's Life ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 486: "Conceived By the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary" ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 333: Heaven and Earth ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 525: The Mysteries of Christ's Life ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 437: Christ ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 448: Lord ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 695: The Name, Titles, and Symbols of the Holy Spirit ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 333: Heaven and Earth ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 559: The Mysteries of Christ's Life ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 725: The Spirit of Christ in the Fullness of Time ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 2599: In the Fullness of Time ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 94: The Interpretation of the Heritage of Faith ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 527: The Mysteries of Christ's Life ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 583: Jesus and Israel ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 529: The Mysteries of Christ's Life ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 711: God's Spirit and Word in the Time of the Promises ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 713: God's Spirit and Word in the Time of the Promises ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 575: Jesus and Israel ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 587: Jesus and Israel ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 149: The Obedience of Faith ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 618: Jesus Died Crucified ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 534: The Mysteries of Christ's Life ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 583: Jesus and Israel ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 503: "Conceived By the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary" ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 534: The Mysteries of Christ's Life ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 531: The Mysteries of Christ's Life ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- cf. CCC ¶ 517: The Mysteries of Christ's Life ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))
- CCC ¶ 472: The Son of God Became Man ([vatican.va index](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM))

## The saints

- “The Rosary is the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, our Redeemer, who loves His Mother.” — St. Louis de Montfort, The Secret of the Rosary, c. 1710 (On this theme: verse 19)
- “Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for He who created you has made you holy.” — St. Clare of Assisi, Last words, 1253 (On this theme: verse 29)

## Bishop Challoner's notes

Bp. Richard Challoner, notes on the Douay-Rheims (1750); they comment on its older wording.
- Verse 7: “Her firstborn” … The meaning is, not that she had afterward any other child; but it is a way of speech among the Hebrews, to call them also the firstborn, who are the only children. See annotation Matt. 1. 25.
- Verse 34: Christ came for the salvation of all men; but here Simeon prophesies what would come to pass, that many through their own wilful blindness and obstinacy would not believe in Christ, nor receive his doctrine, which therefore would be ruin to them: but to others a resurrection, by their believing in him, and obeying his commandments.

## Read at Mass (US)

- Thu, Oct 29, 2026: Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time — Alleluia, See Luke 19:38; 2:14
- Sun, Dec 27, 2026: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph — Gospel, Luke 2:22-40
- Tue, Dec 29, 2026: The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas — Alleluia, Luke 2:32; Gospel, Luke 2:22-35
- Wed, Dec 30, 2026: The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas — Gospel, Luke 2:36-40

9 more dates through December 31, 2028, in the [liturgical calendar](https://blessbible.app/calendar/).

Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option).

Source: Catholic Public Domain Version (Ronald L. Conte Jr., 2009), public domain; Latin: Clementine Vulgate (1592).