Luke 2:17
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And when they saw it, they gave them an account of the things which had been said to them about the child.
Webster's Revision
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
World English Bible
When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
Clarke's Luke 2:17 Bible Commentary
They made known abroad the saying - These shepherds were the first preachers of the Gospel of Christ: and what was their text? Why, Glory to God in the highest heavens, and on earth peace and good will among men. This is the elegant and energetic saying which comprises the sum and substance of the Gospel of God. This, and this only, is the message which all Christ's true pastors or shepherds bring to men. He who, while he professes the religion of Christ, disturbs society by his preachings or writings, who excludes from the salvation of God all who hold not his religious or political creed, never knew the nature of the Gospel, and never felt its power or influence. How can religious contentions, civil broils, or open wars, look that Gospel in the face which publishes nothing but glory to God, and peace and good will among men? Crusades for the recovery of a holy land so called, (by the way, latterly, the most unholy in the map of the world), and wars for the support of religion, are an insult to the Gospel, and blasphemy against God!
Barnes's Luke 2:17 Bible Commentary
When they had see it - When they had satisfied themselves of the truth of the coming of the Messiah, and had ascertained that they could not have been mistaken in the appearance of the angels. There was evidence enough to satisfy "them" that what the angels said was true, or they would not have gone to Bethlehem. Having seen the child themselves, they had now evidence that would satisfy others; and accordingly they became the first preachers of the "gospel," and went and proclaimed to others that the Messiah had come. One of the first duties of those who are newly converted to God, and a duty in which they delight, is to proclaim to others what they have seen and felt. It should be done in a proper way and at the proper time; but nothing can or should prevent a Christian recently converted from telling his feelings and views to others - to his friends, to his parents, to his brothers, and to his old companions. And it may be remarked that often more good may be done then than during any other period of their life. Entreaties then make an impression; nor can a sinner well resist the appeals made to him by one who was just now with him in the way to ruin, but who now treads the way to heaven.