Who Were The Shepherds At Jesus’ Birth?
The story of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus in Bethlehem is one of the most beloved parts of the Christmas narrative. But who exactly were these humble shepherds who received the glorious news of the Savior’s birth?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The Bible does not provide names or detailed background information on the shepherds who saw the angel and visited Jesus. They were simply local shepherds keeping watch over their flocks near Bethlehem.
In this in-depth article, we will explore everything the Bible does tell us about these shepherds, including clues about their occupation, character, and possible significance. We’ll also survey other historical sources and scholarly research to try to shed more light on who these modest men were who had the awe-inspiring privilege of being the very first to worship the newborn Christ.
The Biblical Account of the Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth
The Shepherds in the Fields Near Bethlehem
The shepherds who saw the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth and visited the newborn Savior were humble men working in the fields near Bethlehem. They were likely caring for the temple flocks that supplied sacrificial lambs for worship in the temple in Jerusalem, just five miles away (Luke 2:8).
These hardworking men received an unbelievable divine revelation and hurried to witness the long-awaited Messiah, the Lord Christ.
The Angel’s Announcement to the Shepherds
The shepherds received a wondrous, startling visitation from an angel of the Lord with the news that the Christ had been born. Accompanying the angel was “the glory of the Lord” shining down from heaven (Luke 2:9).
Awestruck, the shepherds listened as the angel proclaimed he brought “good news that will cause great joy for all the people” that on this night in Bethlehem, the long-awaited Savior and Messiah had been born (Luke 2:10-12).
Then “a great company” of other praising angels appeared, singing praises to God for this glorious event. When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds swiftly went to find the Christ child.
The Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus in the Manger
The angel had given the shepherds miraculous signs to recognize the Savior after He told them of the joyous news: “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). Leaving their flocks in the field, they hurried the short distance to Bethlehem, where they found Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus lying in the manger, just as the angel foretold.
These humble shepherds then believed this remarkable revelation and joyfully shared their experience with the new parents, telling Mary and Joseph what the angel proclaimed about this holy infant Boy. The shepherds’ visit powerfully verifies Jesus as the long-promised Messiah (Luke 2:16-20).
What the Bible Reveals About the Identity and Lives of the Shepherds
They Were Unnamed Local Shepherds
The Bible does not provide the specific names of the shepherds who witnessed the angels announcing Jesus’ birth. They are simply referred to as “shepherds living out in the fields nearby” (Luke 2:8). As residents near Bethlehem tending sheep, they were likely minor shepherds in the area.
They Were Living Near Bethlehem
According to Scripture, the shepherds were living out in fields near Bethlehem when the angels appeared to them: “there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night” (Luke 2:8).
So geographically, these shepherds resided close to the town where Jesus was born.
They Were Going About Their Normal Work
The Bible conveys that the shepherds were doing their regular job of caring for sheep when the angel of the Lord visited them. They were “keeping watch over their flocks at night” (Luke 2:8), being diligent caretakers before encountering the life-changing news.
They Were From a Lower Social Class
As keepers and herders of sheep in Biblical times, shepherds like those in the nativity story often came from a lower social class. However, despite their probable humble backgrounds, these unnamed men played the honored role of being the first visitors to worship the newborn Jesus.
They Were Considered Righteous and Faithful
While shepherds as a group were lowly in status, the Bible presents these particular men positively. After hearing from the angel, they made haste to find Jesus in the manger, faithful in believing the messenger’s news that the savior was born.
Their immediate action to visit baby Jesus demonstrates their righteousness and heart for the truth.
The Significance of God Choosing to Reveal Jesus’ Birth to Shepherds
Shepherds Symbolized Humility and Lowliness
In Jesus’ time, shepherds were considered humble and lowly members of society. They lived outdoors tending to flocks and did not enjoy high social status or power. God revealing the birth of Jesus to shepherds first showed that the messiah was coming for humble folk.
As Jesus later said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). The shepherds remind us that Christ’s teaching elevates the humble.
Shepherds Represented the Scripture Promise of a Shepherd-King
Shepherds were also significant because the Old Testament promised a Shepherd-King would come from the line of David. Ezekiel 34 speaks of God becoming the Shepherd who seeks the lost, binds up the injured, and strengthens the weak.
Choosing shepherds to receive the news of Jesus’ birth reinforced he was the fulfillment of this promised Savior-Shepherd. As Jesus later declared, “I am the good shepherd” who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Shepherds Mirrored Attributes Jesus Would Later Embody
Lastly, shepherds themselves modeled qualities Jesus exemplified in his ministry. Shepherds lovingly tended their flocks, knew their sheep individually, guided them to food and water, and protected them from harm.
Jesus embodied these traits as the Good Shepherd who knew His followers intimately, provided abundant spiritual food and living water, and laid down his life sacrificially for the sheep. The shepherds were a picture of the servant leadership and compassion Jesus would model.
The Possible Deeper Meaning Behind ‘Shepherds’ in This Narrative
A Symbolic Connection to King David’s Life
There may be a symbolic meaning behind the shepherds’ inclusion in the nativity story. As the prophets foretold, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of David. David himself was a shepherd boy before becoming king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:11).
Featuring shepherds at Christ’s birth could be a purposeful parallel, emphasizing Jesus’ lineage from David and foreshadowing Jesus’ future reign as king.
Foreshadowing Jesus as the Good Shepherd
The shepherds’ presence may also symbolically point ahead to Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). Shepherds care for sheep, protecting them from harm. In the same way, Jesus cares deeply for His people, rescuing the lost and binding up the injured (Ezekiel 34:16).
The shepherds hurrying to find the newborn Christ child mirrors Christ’s later ministry to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
Representing Jesus Gathering Outcasts Into His Flock
Socially, shepherds occupied one of the lowest rungs in first century Jewish society. Their testimony was even inadmissible in court. By making such overlooked people the first witnesses to the Messiah, the narrative could symbolize Jesus’ ministry to gather in societal outcasts despised as “sinners” by the religious elite (Luke 15:1-2).
The Christ child being made known first to humble shepherds hints at His later teachings that “the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16).
Extra-Biblical Theories About the Identity of the Shepherds at Jesus’ Birth
Legends of The Shepherds Being From the Migdal Eder Watchtower
Some extra-biblical theories suggest the shepherds who witnessed Jesus’ birth came from the Migdal Eder watchtower near Bethlehem. This tower was used by shepherds to guard the temple flock of lambs destined for sacrifice in Jerusalem (micah 4:8).
According to legend, the Messiah’s birth would be first announced here.
A 3rd century Christian text, the Protevangelium of James, claims the shepherds at Migdal Eder knew the Messiah had been born because they witnessed extraordinary events around the time of Jesus’ birth.
Angels, a bright star over Bethlehem, and even the miraculous opening of the tower gates occurred to alert the shepherds that the Christ child had come.
While these legends connect the shepherds to an important temple site, the Bible does not specify they were from Migdal Eder or had these experiences. The embellished stories may have developed later to emphasize the shepherds’ role as the first to learn of Jesus’ birth.
Embellished Stories About the Shepherds Witnessing Miracles
In addition to the Protevangelium legend, other extra-biblical stories describe the shepherds seeing miracles and supernatural events that aren’t mentioned in the Bible. In the Revelation of Pseudo-Matthew, the shepherds witness the Magi’s star, see angels filling the sky, and observe a bright light over the manger.
Some texts even claim one shepherd put his hand in the manger to test if the child was real, only to have his hand wither. When the shepherd begged forgiveness, Jesus healed his hand. These embellished stories developed long after the gospels were written.
While compelling, these extra details about shining stars,withered hands, and countless angels have no biblical basis. They likely grew as the Christmas story was retold to emphasize Jesus’ divinity and miraculous birth.
The Bible simply describes an angel telling the shepherds about Jesus, prompting them to visit the child.
Conclusion
The humble shepherds who heard the heavenly chorus proclaiming Jesus’ birth and sought out the newborn King in the manger remain beloved, if mysterious, figures. While the Bible gives only glimpses into their occupation, character, and possible symbolism, one thing is absolutely clear: however simple and obscure their stations in life, God bestowed on them the priceless honor of being the very first witnesses to His Son the Savior’s long-awaited coming into the world.
As we marvel at the holy night when lowly shepherds met their Lord incarnate in Bethlehem, perhaps God is calling each of us to heed the angel’s message as well: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy…”