Luke 2 — Clausal Layout (English)

independentparticipialrelativepurposecausecomparativecontentconditionalphrase modifierdashed = verbless / suspended

Flush-left = a main (independent) clause. Each dependent line begins directly beneath the word it attaches to in the line above — the anchor word is dotted-underlined, and lights up when you hover its dependent clause; each tag also names the attachment. A dashed border marks verbless, elliptical, or suspended lines. Where a long sentence's staircase runs wider than the page, the diagram scrolls sideways. (In print, or without JavaScript, lines fall back to stepped indent columns.)

The census and the birth in Bethlehem 2:1–7

vv. 1–3 — the decree: the whole world set moving

Now it came about in those days:independent — Septuagintal ἐγένετο δέ frame — a new scene, opened on the world stage

a decree went out from Caesar Augustusindependent — asyndetic content of the frame — the empire moves; Augustus set against the true σωτήρ of v. 11

that all the inhabited world should be registered.content — epexegetic infinitive — the decree's content; οἰκουμένη, the Roman world

This was the first registration,independent — parenthetical dating — πρώτη 'first' (or adverbially 'before'), the famous crux left open

when Quirinius was governing Syria.participial — genitive absolute — the disputed synchronism (Quirinius' attested census: A.D. 6, Josephus)

And all were going to be registered,independent — iterative imperfect — the whole population in motion

each to his own town.phrase modifier — distributive apposition — ἕκαστος parcels out the πάντες

vv. 4–5 — Joseph and Mary up to the city of David

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of Davidindependent — the general movement narrows to one Davidide — 'up' to the hill country of Judea

which is called Bethlehem,relative — the name supplied — Mic 5:2 hovers unquoted

because he was of the house and lineage of David,cause — διὰ τό + infinitive — Davidic descent, the reason providence rides Caesar's decree

to be registered with Mary, who was betrothed to him,purpose — purpose infinitive — the perfect participle: betrothal a settled status; some witnesses add γυναικί

being with child.participial — ἔγκυος a NT hapax — visibly pregnant on the journey

vv. 6–7 — the birth: manger for lack of room

And it came about,independent — the second ἐγένετο δέ frame — the decisive moment arrives

while they were there,phrase modifier — ἐν τῷ + infinitive temporal — forward-leaning on ἐπλήσθησαν

that the days were fulfilled for her to give birth,independent — asyndetic content of the frame — the term completed in Bethlehem, not Nazareth

And she gave birth to her firstborn son,independent — πρωτότοκος — legally weighted: the consecration of v. 23 waits on it

and wrapped him in cloths,independent — ordinary newborn care (cf. Wis 7:4) — the King swaddled

and laid him in a manger,independent — the φάτνη — feeding-trough, soon the sign of vv. 12, 16

because there was no place for them in the inn.cause — κατάλυμα — public inn or household guest-room (cf. 22:11), left open

The shepherds, the angel, and the Gloria 2:8–20

vv. 8–14 — night watch, epiphany, and the angels' hymn

And there were shepherds in the same region,independent — the lowly first audience — David's own trade, near David's town

living out in the fieldsparticipial — periphrastic participle — ἀγραυλέω, a NT hapax: out overnight with the flock

and keeping night watches over their flock.participial — second periphrastic participle — cognate accusative, 'keeping the watches'

And an angel of the Lord stood before them,independent — ἐπέστη — the sudden angelic arrival (cf. 24:4; Acts 12:7)

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,independent — the Shekinah blazes over a sheep-field, not the temple

and they feared a great fear.independent — Septuagintal cognate accusative — the numinous dread of theophany

And the angel said to them:independent — the speech-frame for the gospel proclamation

'Do not be afraid,content — the stock angelic reassurance — present imperative: stop fearing

for behold, I bring you good news of great joycause — performative εὐαγγελίζομαι — the angel evangelizes; χαρά, the infancy narrative's keynote

which will be for all the people,relative — παντὶ τῷ λαῷ — Israel first, already opening toward the nations (v. 32)

that to you is born this day a Savior,content — the good news itself — the Lukan σήμερον of salvation (4:21; 19:9); σωτήρ against Caesar's claim

who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.relative — the piled titles — χριστὸς κύριος, Messiah-Lord; the birthplace seals v. 4

And this will be the sign for you:content — verbless — the confirming token announced

you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.content — the paradoxical sign — lowliness itself the credential

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,independent — στρατιά — the army of heaven, mustered to announce peace

praising God and saying:participial — constructio ad sensum — plural participles for the massed host

'Glory to God in the highest,content — the GLORIA, first colon — verbless acclamation heavenward

and on earth peace among men of his good will.'content — second colon — genitive εὐδοκίας (ℵ* A B* D W), 'people of his favor,' against the Byzantine nominative

vv. 15–20 — to Bethlehem: the sign verified, the word spread

And it came about,independent — the καὶ ἐγένετο frame again — flush-left

when the angels had gone away from them into heaven,conditional — temporal ὡς (typed cnd; no temporal key) — forward-leaning on ἐλάλουν

that the shepherds began saying to one another:independent — inceptive imperfect — the resolve forms as the light fades

'Let us go over now to Bethlehemcontent — hortatory subjunctive with urgent δή

and see this thing that has happened,content — ῥῆμα — the Semitic 'word-thing': the spoken event, to be seen

which the Lord has made known to us.'relative — behind the angel, the Lord himself

And they came in hasteindependent — σπεύσαντες — eager obedience to the word

and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babyindependent — ἀνεῦραν — found by searching; the τε … καί groups the family

lying in the manger;participial — the sign of v. 12 confirmed word for word

And having seen,participial — preposed participle — leans on ἐγνώρισαν

they made known the saying that had been told them about this child.independent — the shepherds turn heralds — their ἐγνώρισαν answers the Lord's ἐγνώρισεν (v. 15)

And all who heard wondered at the things told them by the shepherds;independent — the crowd's passing wonder — foil to Mary's keeping

But Mary kept all these things,independent — durative imperfect — the first treasuring-refrain (cf. v. 51)

pondering them in her heart.participial — συμβάλλουσα — throwing the events together, weighing their meaning

And the shepherds returned,independent — the scene closes homeward — ὑποστρέφω, a Lukan favorite

glorifying and praising God for allparticipial — their praise answers the host's Gloria — αἰνοῦντες echoes v. 13

that they had heard and seen,relative — relative attracted to the dative — on πᾶσιν

just as it had been told them.comparative — the word proven true point for point

Circumcision and presentation — Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis, and Anna 2:21–40

v. 21 — the eighth day: circumcised and named

And when eight days were fulfilled for his circumcision,conditional — temporal ὅτε (typed cnd; no temporal key) — Lev 12:3; forward-leaning on ἐκλήθη

his name was called Jesus,independent — apodotic καί (Septuagintal) — the heaven-appointed name, 'YHWH saves'

the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.participial — attributive participle — Gabriel's word (1:31) kept to the letter

vv. 22–24 — up to Jerusalem: the firstborn presented, the poor's offering

And when the days of their purification were fulfilled according to the law of Moses,conditional — temporal ὅτε (typed cnd) — the forty days of Lev 12; the section's law-refrain begins

they brought him up to Jerusalemindependent — the child's first entry into the city of his destiny

to present him to the Lord,purpose — purpose infinitive — the firstborn consecrated (Exod 13:2, 12)

as it is written in the law of the Lord:comparative — citation formula — the presentation grounded in Torah

'Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,'content — Exod 13:2, 12 — the firstborn belongs to the Lord

and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord,purpose — second purpose infinitive, coordinate with παραστῆσαι

a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.phrase modifier — Lev 12:8 — the alternative for those who cannot afford a lamb: the family's poverty, quietly

vv. 25–32 — Simeon: the promise kept, the NUNC DIMITTIS

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalemindependent — ἰδού — a new figure steps into the temple scene

whose name was Simeon,relative — verbless naming clause — dative of possession

and this man was righteous and devout,independent — verbless predication — the character sketch

awaiting the consolation of Israel,participial — προσδεχόμενος — the remnant's posture (cf. v. 38); παράκλησις, Isa 40:1

and the Holy Spirit was upon him.independent — the Spirit resting as on the prophets

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spiritindependent — periphrastic pluperfect — χρηματίζω, the oracle-verb

that he would not see deathcontent — the oracle's content — 'see death,' the Semitic idiom for dying

before he had seen the Lord's Christ.conditional — temporal πρὶν ἤ + subjunctive (typed cnd) — the two seeings set against each other

And he came in the Spirit into the temple;independent — Spirit-led timing — the meeting engineered from above

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,phrase modifier — ἐν τῷ + infinitive temporal — forward-leaning on ἐδέξατο (v. 28)

to do for him according to the custom of the law,purpose — genitive articular infinitive of purpose — the law-note again

he himself took him into his armsindependent — apodotic καί — the promised sight becomes an embrace

and blessed Godindependent — praise before prophecy

and said:independent — the speech-frame for the canticle

'Now, Master, you are releasing your servant in peace, according to your word;content — NUNC DIMITTIS opens — the watchman dismissed; δεσπότης, the slave's own word for his lord

for my eyes have seen your salvation,cause — the ground of the dismissal — the oracle of v. 26 fulfilled; σωτήριον, Isa 40:5; 52:10 LXX

which you have prepared in the presence of all the peoples,relative — the plural λαῶν — already wider than Israel

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'phrase modifier — apposition to τὸ σωτήριον — Isa 42:6; 49:6: the canticle's climax and Luke's whole horizon

vv. 33–35 — the oracle to Mary: the sign opposed, the sword

And his father and mother were marveling at the things being said about him.independent — periphrastic imperfect — ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ read; later witnesses substitute 'Joseph'

And Simeon blessed themindependent — the blessing before the dark word

and said to Mary his mother:independent — to Mary alone — the oracle is hers

'Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel,content — κεῖται — set like the stone of Isa 8:14–15; fall first, then rising

and for a sign that is opposed —phrase modifier — coordinate εἰς-phrase — the sign that provokes contradiction

and a sword will pierce through your own soul too —content — the personal aside to Mary — ῥομφαία, the great blade of grief (cf. Ezek 14:17)

so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.'purpose — ὅπως ἄν — the child's division lays every heart bare; arguably modifying the whole oracle

vv. 36–38 — Anna: the second witness

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.independent — the paired female witness — a northern tribe still represented in the remnant

She was well advanced in years,independent — verbless — the perfect participle carries the predication (cf. 1:7)

having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,participial — the biography compressed — seven years married from her maidenhood

and then a widow until eighty-four years,independent — verbless — her age, or eighty-four years of widowhood, left open

who did not depart from the temple,relative — customary imperfect — she never left

worshiping with fastings and prayers night and day.participial — λατρεύουσα — cultic service around the clock; the fronted datives of means

And coming up at that very hour,participial — preposed participle — the same providential timing as Simeon's; leans on ἀνθωμολογεῖτο

she gave thanks to Godindependent — ἀνθομολογέομαι — a NT hapax of answering praise; τῷ θεῷ read over τῷ κυρίῳ

and kept speaking about him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.independent — iterative imperfect — to the whole waiting remnant (cf. v. 25; 24:21)

vv. 39–40 — home to Nazareth: the first growth-summary

And when they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord,conditional — temporal ὡς (typed cnd) — the law-keeping complete; forward-leaning on ἐπέστρεψαν

they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.independent — the Jerusalem frame closes — homeward to the hidden years

And the child grew and became strong,independent — durative imperfects — the growth-notice (cf. 1:80 of John)

being filled with wisdom,participial — present participle — the wisdom v. 47 will display

and the grace of God was upon him.independent — the divine favor resting — twin to v. 52

The boy Jesus in the temple 2:41–52

vv. 41–45 — the Passover, and the boy missing

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.independent — customary imperfect — the pilgrim household (Deut 16:16)

And when he was twelve years old,conditional — temporal ὅτε (typed cnd) — the threshold of Law-responsibility; the first of four frames leaning on ὑπέμεινεν

as they went up according to the custom of the feast,participial — genitive absolute — forward-leaning; the second frame

and when they had completed the days,participial — second genitive absolute — the festival week done; the third frame

as they were returning,phrase modifier — ἐν τῷ + infinitive temporal — the fourth stacked frame

the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem,independent — the verb finally strikes after four leaning frames

and his parents did not know it.independent — οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ read over the harmonizing 'Joseph and his mother'

But supposing him to be in the caravan,participial — causal participle — the natural assumption; leans on ἦλθον

they went a day's journey,independent — a day northward before the loss is felt

and began searching for him among their relatives and acquaintances,independent — inceptive imperfect — ἀναζητέω, the intensive search-verb

and not finding him,participial — preposed participle — leans on ὑπέστρεψαν

they returned to Jerusalem,independent — the steps retraced

searching for him.participial — the search continues through the return

vv. 46–50 — found among the teachers: the exchange

And it came about, after three days,independent — the καὶ ἐγένετο frame once more — three days of loss

that they found him in the temple,independent — asyndetic content of the frame — found where he belongs

sitting in the midst of the teachers,participial — the learner's posture — yet at the center

both listening to themparticipial — hearing first

and questioning them;participial — the rabbinic give-and-take

And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.independent — ἐξίσταντο — the wisdom of v. 40 on public display

And seeing him,participial — preposed participle — leans on ἐξεπλάγησαν

they were astounded,independent — the parents' shock — relief and reproach together

and his mother said to him:independent — Mary speaks — the reproach

'Child, why have you treated us so?content — the tender vocative sharpens the reproach

Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in anguish.'content — 'your father' — Mary's word for Joseph, about to be recast in v. 49

And he said to them:independent — Jesus' first recorded words in the Gospel

'Why is it that you were searching for me?content — the counter-question — τί ὅτι, 'why is it that?'

Did you not knowcontent — the question expecting yes — they of all people should have known

that I must be in the things of my Father?'content — ἐν τοῖς τοῦ πατρός — 'house' or 'affairs,' deliberately open; the Lukan divine δεῖ; 'my Father' answers 'your father'

And they did not understand the wordindependent — even the parents — the mystery still veiled

which he spoke to them.relative — the saying kept, not grasped

vv. 51–52 — down to Nazareth: obedience, treasuring, growth

And he went down with themindependent — down from Jerusalem — the geography of obedience

and came to Nazareth,independent — back to the hidden years

and was subject to them.independent — periphrastic imperfect — continual filial subjection: the Son under his parents

And his mother kept all these things in her heart.independent — the treasuring-refrain again (v. 19) — διετήρει, kept carefully

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.independent — the closing growth-summary — 1 Sam 2:26: Samuel's pattern on the greater Son

Analysis. Luke 2 is narrative in Luke's most Septuagintal manner, and the layout shows it: the ἐγένετο δέ / καὶ ἐγένετο frames sit flush-left (vv. 1, 6, 15, 46) with their temporal machinery — ἐν τῷ + infinitive phrases, genitive absolutes, ὅτε/ὡς clauses — leaning forward, anchor-less, on the main verb below, most spectacularly in vv. 42–43, where four stacked frames (ὅτε ἐγένετο ἐτῶν δώδεκα, ἀναβαινόντων, τελειωσάντων, ἐν τῷ ὑποστρέφειν) hang over the single blow ὑπέμεινεν, 'he stayed behind.' Against the purple mainline, speech hangs blue beneath its verbs of saying: the angel's annunciation chains under εἶπεν down through its γάρ-ground and the ὅτι of the good news (vv. 10–12); the two canticle-fragments stand as cola — the Gloria's two verbless lines under λεγόντων (v. 14), the NUNC DIMITTIS under εἶπεν with its ὅτι-ground and the relative-plus-apposition pair expanding τὸ σωτήριον (vv. 29–32); and the Exod 13:2, 12 citation hangs under γέγραπται in its καθώς-formula (v. 23), with Lev 12:8's poor-offering in apposition at v. 24. Cruxes the layout inherits rather than resolves: the Quirinius synchronism of v. 2 is printed and left unresolved (πρώτη 'first,' or adverbially 'before Quirinius governed'); εὐδοκίας in v. 14 is the early genitive ('people of his favor,' ℵ* A B* D W), against the later Byzantine nominative; κατάλυμα (v. 7) is glossed 'inn / guest-room' and left open; ἐν τοῖς τοῦ πατρός μου (v. 49) is rendered 'in the things of my Father' with the house/affairs ambiguity named in the tag; and ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ stands at v. 33 where later witnesses write 'Joseph.' The chapter's shape is a set of framed scenes closed by refrains: Mary's treasuring (vv. 19, 51) and the twin growth-summaries (vv. 40, 52).