Luke · Chapter 2
Luke 2:11 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
KJV · King James Version
"For3754 unto you5213 is born5088 this day4594 in1722 the city4172 of David1138 a Saviour4990, which3739 is2076 Christ5547 the Lord2962."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses unto, this, day, saviour, while the WEB renders these as there, today, savior, who. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Luke 2:11 in Luke 2
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Luke 2:11 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Luke 2. Read the full chapter →
- v.9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
- v.10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
- v.11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
- v.12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
- v.13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
Book background
About the Book of Luke
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Gospel
- Author
- Luke, the physician and travelling companion of Paul
- Date written
- c. 60–62 AD
- Audience
- Theophilus and Gentile Christians broadly
- Chapters
- 24
Luke, the only Gentile biblical author, wrote the longest Gospel as a historically careful account for outsiders. He uniquely records the parables of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the rich man and Lazarus; the Magnificat and Benedictus; and Jesus' special concern for women, the poor, and the marginalised.
Setting: A careful historical investigation (1:1-4); paired with Acts.
Key themes: saviour for all · compassion · prayer · Holy Spirit · reversal
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Luke 2:11
Luke 2:11 contains 17 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
For there is born to you today
FTIBTY
- 2
in David’s city
IDC
- 3
a Savior
AS
- 4
who is Christ the Lord.
WICTL
Frequently asked
FAQ about Luke 2:11
What does Luke 2:11 say?
Luke 2:11 reads: "For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." — from the New Testament, Luke (Gospel). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Luke 2:11 in?
Luke 2:11 is in the book of Luke, traditionally attributed to Luke, the physician and travelling companion of Paul and written around c. 60–62 AD. Luke is gospel in the New Testament, originally addressed to Theophilus and Gentile Christians broadly. Best known for the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.
What is the difference between Luke 2:11 in WEB and KJV?
Luke 2:11 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "For3754 unto you5213 is born5088 this day4594 in1722 the city4172 of David1138 a Saviour4990, which3739 is2076 Christ5547 the Lord2962.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Luke 2:11?
Luke 2:11 is 17 words in the WEB translation (82 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 5 seconds.
How can I memorise Luke 2:11?
To memorise Luke 2:11, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Luke 2:11 matter in Luke?
Luke, the only Gentile biblical author, wrote the longest Gospel as a historically careful account for outsiders. He uniquely records the parables of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the rich man and Lazarus; the Magnificat and Benedictus; and Jesus' special concern for women, the poor, and the marginalised. Luke 2:11 sits within this larger story — Luke as a whole emphasises saviour for all, compassion, prayer.
How can I apply Luke 2:11 today?
Many readers use Luke 2:11 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Luke 2:11 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not pr…”
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Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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