BABY JESUS AT THE TEMPLE
This post originally published 12/18/2017
Updated and republished 12/15/2023
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Both Mary and Joseph were told, by an angel, to name the child Jesus (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:18-25).
Circumcision was a symbol of the covenant between God and His children (Genesis 17:11) and the bloody removal of the body of sin (Deuteronomy 10:16). so Jesus, being God, had no need to be circumcised, but He took on the nature of man (Hebrews 2:16-17), and was made under the law to redeem those that were under the law (Galatians 4:4-5). Moreover, it was required of Mary and Joseph, by law, to do this (Genesis 17:12-14; Leviticus 12:3). Also, defiance of this law would have excluded Jesus from the synagogue or temple.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
The days of purification, a ceremonial cleansing of sin, were 40 days for the birth of a male child and 80 for a female. (See Leviticus 12) Translations differ as to whose purification this was- Mary, Jesus, or both. Some translations omit the pronoun completely, suggesting that the family obeyed the law even though neither was spiritually unclean. In fact, Luke mentions the law 5 times in relating the birth of Jesus (see also- Matthew 3:14-15).
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.
At the first passover, God spared the firstborn of the Israelites when the angel of death passed over them (Exodus 13:1-30). Therefore he held the right to all their firstborn (Exodus 13:2, 12), and they had to be redeemed (Numbers 18:15).
Leviticus 12:6-8 says they were to bring a lamb for a burnt offering, and a turtledove or pigeon for a sin offering. But, if they were too poor, they were to just bring the two birds. This shows the poverty of the family, and shows the contradiction, clung to by many, that the wise men visited on the night Jesus was born. If they had already come (bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh), the family would have been required to offer a lamb. Add to this, the fact that Matthew 2:13-14 says the family fled into Egypt almost immediately after the wise men left.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
The word for “devout” is only used by Luke. It is sometimes translated “God-fearing” because it shows a cautious respect for the things of God. The Holy Ghost being upon him meant that he had the spirit of prophecy. Many commentators have speculated as to the identity of this Simeon, but we are only told that he was just, devout, and a prophet.
The consolation of Israel refers to the redemption of Israel to be brought by the messiah (Isaiah 40:1-11). (See also- Acts 28:20)
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Although the Bible makes no reference as to his age, this verse, and verse 29, lend us the belief that Simeon was an old man. As a prophet, this revelation most likely came from silent inspiration, rather than from an audible proclamation or angel visitation. The word Christ means “the anointed one” or the messiah.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Skeptics sometimes question the virgin-birth, because Luke refers to Joseph as the parent here, and as the father in verse 48. Yet, the fact is that offering the sacrifice of redemption, in verses 22-24. made Joseph the legal father in the eyes of both man and God. By offering the sacrifice, Joseph literally bought Jesus from the LORD.
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Simeon was promised that he would live to see the messiah, but he actually got to hold him in his arms. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,”.
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Simeon may be simply saying that he has seen God’s promise fulfilled, and is ready to die a contented man. Or, he may have wanted to avoid the bloody civil war which the Jews believed the messiah would lead to throw off the yoke of Rome.
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
The Jews believed the messiah would save them from their enemies, but Christ came to save our souls. (See also- Luke 3:6; Isaiah 52:7-10)
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
The phrase “a light to lighten” literally says “a light of revelation”. The Bible gives a picture of Gentiles living in darkness, in ignorance and sin (Isaiah 9:2; 42:6-7).
Israel was God’s chosen people, and the Gentiles were strangers (Ephesians 2:12-19). Jesus came to the Jews first, and then for the Gentiles (Romans 1:16). (See also- John 4:22)
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Translations differ as to whether Luke says “Joseph” or “his father”.
There are two views concerning their marveling. One is that they marveled that a stranger would reinforce what they had already heard. The other is they continued to marvel at all the things they heard concerning Jesus.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Many commentators are quick to say that Simeon only blessed Mary and Joseph, as he had no authority to bless Jesus. Yet, in verse 28, Simeon blessed God. Also, as in the case of Jacob blessing his sons, this could have been simply a prophecy of how the Lord would bless them.
The reason that Simeon only addressed Mary, is probably because the next verse, which is a continuation of this sentence, refers to the anguish of seeing her son reviled and crucified.
Simeon’s words to Mary seem to relate to Isaiah 8:14, which says, “And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” (See also- 1 Peter 2:8) Jesus is the the stumbling stone set in the path of unbelievers and hypocrites. But to believers, he gave the right to become the sons of God (John 1:11-12; Romans 8:13-14; 1 John 3:1).
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
The phrase “a sword shall pierce thy own soul” is a metaphor which refers to the deep sorrow she would feel at witnessing her son’s crucifixion.
The revealing of hearts appears to refer to the wickedness of many being disclosed, particularly at the crucifixion of Jesus.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Commentators generally agree that she was not a prophetess in the sense that she could foretell the future, but rather that she was a pious person which spoke by inspiration from God (1 Corinthians 14:3). In the Greek, the word meant one who interprets oracles (see also- Revelation 2:20).
She was from one of the so-called “ten lost tribes” which were largely exported from Israel by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:1-23). There were, however, always remnants from these tribes, though they never rebounded to their previous greatness (2 Chronicles 30:1-11; Acts 26:7; James 1:1).
On a side note- In the Old Testament, Anna is Hannah. One is translated from Hebrew, and the other from Greek. Also, Aser is Ashur.
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Commentators disagree on Anna’s age. It is uncertain whether the 84 years include her entire life, only the years of widowhood, or the years of widowhood plus the seven years of marriage. Various translations reflect the translators opinions.
Most commentators agree that her departing not, and serving night and day, are not to be taken literally, but refer to habitual constancy. This view, however, seems to reflect human logic rather than anything the Bible says.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Anna spoke of the redemption of Jerusalem. Zacharias spoke of the redemption of God’s people (Luke 1:68). Simeon looked for the comfort for Israel (Luke 2:25). (See- Isaiah 40:1-9)
Some assume that Anna was out of place for speaking in public (1 Timothy 2:12), but she was considered a prophetess and respected for her old age. Also, Jews and Romans both held high honor for young widows who remained unmarried.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
Luke omits Matthew’s account of the visitation by the wise men, and the subsequent flight into Egypt (Matthew 2), but he does not contradict it. It should be remembered that Luke wrote his gospel to the Gentiles, while Matthew wrote his to the Jews. Matthew’s chapter 2 account refers to 4 Jewish prophesies (Micah 5:2; Hosea 11:1; Jeremiah 31:15; Isaiah 11:1-4).
NEXT- MATTHEW’S ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS
The Christmas Story- (part 7) Matthew’s Account of the Birth of Jesus
The Christmas Story- (part 5) Luke’s Account of the Birth of Jesus
the coming tribulation 