Luke 2:7

Firstborn. Gr. prototokos (see on Matt. 1:18, 25; cf. on Luke 1:35). There is no direct evidence as to whether Mary gave birth to other children subsequent to the birth of Jesus (see on Matt. 1:25), although the fact that Jesus, on the cross, gave His mother into the care of John makes it seem improbable that she had other children living at the time (see on John 19:26).

Swaddling clothes. Rather, a “swathing band.” Hebrew children, at birth, were washed in water, rubbed in salt, and wrapped in “swaddling clothes” (see on Eze. 16:4). These were strips of cloth wound loosely about the body and limbs of the infant. According to the usual custom, the baby was laid diagonally on a square piece of cloth, two corners being folded over its body, one over its feet, and the other underneath its head. This was held in place by hands loosely wound around the outside.

A manger. No place more humble could have been found in which to lay the infant Jesus; no man can say that he had a less auspicious start in life. Poor in the riches of this world (see on v. 24), Joseph and Mary were nevertheless rich in faith. A tradition that originated some centuries later makes the place of the nativity a cave in the vicinity of Bethlehem. The place, however, was “a rude building” where beasts were “sheltered” (DA 44). The ox and the ass usually introduced by artists into pictures of the nativity are thought to have been suggested by Isa. 1:3.

No room. Simply for the reason that the inn was already filled with guests. No thought of inhospitableness on the part of the innkeeper is implied. It is probable that a vast majority of the Jewish residents of Palestine at this time were descendants of Judah, Benjamin, or Levi. Hence accommodations throughout Judea were, no doubt, taxed to the limit.

Inn. Gr. kataluma, “a lodging place,” or “an inn.” Probably here a small Oriental khan or caravansary, which usually consisted of rooms facing on a covered porch surrounding a central courtyard. The travelers would either be in one of the rooms or occupy a few square feet assigned them on the floor of the covered porch. The animals and baggage of travelers might be kept in the courtyard.