10–11. The angel first reassures his hearers (cf. 1:13, 30). He goes on to explain that he has come with good and joyful news (the verb translated bring … good news was later to be used characteristically of the good news of the gospel; it had been used in LXX of the deliverance of God’s people, e.g. Isa. 40:9; 52:7; cf. also Isa. 61:1). Thus early the note of great joy is struck. The people (laos) normally means ‘the people of Israel’, not people in general. The news of the Saviour would mean much
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