Who were the shepherds?

[Michaeljc4]

What do we know about the shepherds in Luke’s infancy narrative? What was their status in ancient Israel? Why would the angels make the news of the Messiah known to them first? What does Church tradition tell us about these men? Any resources that I could be directed toward would be most appreciated! God bless you,and Merry Christmas!

 

[JRKH]

while I dont have sources to point to, I recall hearing that these fellows were pretty low on the social ladder. They generally were not the owners of the sheep but hirelings, and the ones who pulled the “night shift” were the lower ones still.
Being generaly poor and spending days and nights in the fields and around sheep, they were unwashed and often uncouth.
Announcing the Kingdom first to these was fitting in that Christ was born in just such a low estate, in a stable.

Hope to here others (name removed by moderator)uts.

Peace
James

 

[Joe_Kelley]

From what I have read shepherds were regarded as generally untrustworthy; about on a level with vagabonds.

On the other hand, I have read that the flocks around Bethlehem were supplies for the
Temple. They supplied the sheep that were sold in the Temple for sacrifice. Thus it was proper that the shepherds who were present for the birth of the sacrificial lambs should attend the birth of the Lamb of God, Who would be the perfect sacrifice.

I don’t recall the reliability of the source I got that from, but it seems reasonable.

 

[Michaeljc4]

I read that same thing about the temple sheep today, doing some research (I believe I read it on an LDS website). I am not finding much so far as the Catholic traditions or teachings, though, which surprises me.

 

[JRKH]

It may be that you are not finding all that much because there really hasn’t been a lot of theological significance or typology etc assigned to them.

Perhaps most just simply see them as the ones in the area and awake at the time. Perhaps it’s seen as logical that the Head Shepherd should be greeted by other shepherds.
I think that all of the things that have been suggested are good.

Peace
James

 

[EricFilmer]

What do we know about the shepherds in Luke’s infancy narrative? What was their status in ancient Israel? Why would the angels make the news of the Messiah known to them first? What does Church tradition tell us about these men? Any resources that I could be directed toward would be most appreciated! God bless you,and Merry Christmas!

One of the main themes in the Gospel of Luke is the spirituality of poverty. As we hear in Psalm 34:6, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him from all his troubles.” The spirituality of poverty stems from the fact that the poor often have no other recourse than God, lacking the money and influence to handle many of their problems in life. They are quick to petition God in prayer, and are quick to thank God for the help they receive. God, in turn, is described in the Bible as being especially attentive to the poor.

Being rich, however, can be problematic, because wealth can become an idol and draw ones attention from God. As Jesus warns in all three of the Synoptic Gospels, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.

As examples of Luke focusing on this the theme of the spirituality of poverty, consider the fact that it is only in Luke’s gospel that we hear the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Plus, whereas both Matthew and Luke wrote about the Beatitudes, only Luke records Jesus saying, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24).

**Furthermore, one of the signs of the Messianic times was that the poor would have the good news of salvation preached to them. **

For example, when the disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was “the one who is to come”, Jesus responded by pointing out the messianic signs that he was doing:
“And He answered and said to them, ‘Go and report to John what you have seen and heard:
the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,
the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them’.” (Luke 7:22, emphasis added).

As others have mentioned in this thread, during the time of Jesus, shepherds were impoverished hirelings, and considered lowly in terms of social standing. Therefore, the fulfillment of the messianic sign of the poor having the gospel preached to them begins on the very night that Jesus was born, with the angels telling the shepherds the good news. Luke is the only one to mention this event, and this is one more example of his focus on the theme of the spirituality of poverty. Jesus would carry on preaching the gospel to the poor during his earthly ministry.

And finally, may God bless you as well, and may you also have a merry Christmas!

 

[Oldtimer_7]

To add a bit to this discussion, shepherds were one of the despised professions. Some others were fishermen, tax collectors, sailors. These were people who were out of the eye of the people and who moved around, so they were not able to be monitored as those whose life was in the village. In addition, their travels made it hard for them to keep the 613 laws that Pharisees had set up as a fence to protect the Torah.

 

[Michaeljc4]

I find it telling that the angels announced the birth of the Messiah to those who have very little social status or economic power. In fact, from what I know, the shepherds had nothing. Nothing. But God told them the good news first. Makes you think.