And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
8. And there were shepherds It would have been to no purpose that Christ was born in Bethlehem, if it had not been made known to the world. But the method of doing so, which is described by Luke, appears to the view of men very unsuitable. First, Christ is revealed but to a few witnesses, and that too amidst the darkness of night.
The meanest circumstances of Christ's humiliation were all along attended with some discoveries of his glory, to balance them, and take off the offence of them; for even when he humbled himself God did in some measure exalt him and give him earnests of his future exaltation.
Commenting on Luke 2:8-20
And there were in the same country shepherds,.... For Bethlehem was a place of pasture: near to Ephrata, the same with Bethlehem, were the fields of the wood, Psa 132:6 and the tower of Edar or the tower of the flock, Gen 35:21 and here David kept his father's sheep, Sa1 17:15 so that we need not wonder to hear of shepherds here, abiding in...