*Luke 2:21-39
Eight days after his birth, Jesus is circumcised, presented at the temple, and recognized by Simeon and Anna as the Messiah.
- The Circumcision of Jesus:
- On the eighth day after Jesus’ birth, He is circumcised in accordance with Jewish custom, and He is given the name Jesus, as instructed by the angel before His conception.
- Presentation at the Temple:
- After the days of Mary’s purification according to the Law of Moses are completed, Joseph and Mary take Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
- This act of presentation is also in obedience to the Law of the Lord, which states that every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord.
- Simeon’s Prophecy:
- In Jerusalem, there is a man named Simeon who is righteous and devout, and the Holy Spirit rests on him.
- Simeon has been waiting for the consolation of Israel, and it has been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he will not die before he has seen the Lord’s Messiah.
- When Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord, Simeon takes Him in his arms and praises God, declaring that his eyes have seen God’s salvation, prepared in the sight of all nations.
- Simeon blesses Joseph and Mary and prophesies about Jesus, saying that He will cause the rising and falling of many in Israel and will be a sign that is spoken against. He also predicts that a sword will pierce Mary’s soul.
- Anna’s Testimony:
- Also in the temple is a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, who is advanced in years and has been a widow for many years.
- Anna never leaves the temple, worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer.
- When she sees Jesus, she gives thanks to God and speaks about Him to all who are looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
- Return to Nazareth:
- After they have completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, Joseph and Mary return to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
- There, Jesus grows and becomes strong; He is filled with wisdom, and the grace of God is upon Him.
Luke 2:21-39 teaches us the importance of patience, faith, and recognizing God’s work in our lives. Simeon and Anna waited faithfully for the Savior, and when they saw Jesus, they rejoiced because they knew God had kept His promise. This reminds us that God’s timing is always perfect, even when we have to wait. Like Simeon and Anna, we should stay faithful, trust in God’s promises, and be ready to recognize His blessings when they come.
Luke 2:21-39 (WEB)
2:21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,according to your word, in peace;30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;32 a light for revelation to the nations,and the glory of your people Israel.”33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him. 34 Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.