Luke 2:36-40

Contemporary English Version

Anna Speaks about the Child Jesus

³⁶^(A) The prophet Anna was also there in the temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. In her youth she had been married for seven years, but her husband died. ³⁷And now she was 84 years old.^[a] Night and day she served God in the temple by praying and often going without eating.^[b]

³⁸At this time Anna came in and praised God. She spoke about the child Jesus to everyone who hoped for Jerusalem to be set free.

The Return to Nazareth

³⁹^(B) After Joseph and Mary had done everything that the Law of the Lord commands, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. ⁴⁰The child Jesus grew. He became strong and wise, and God blessed him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

2.37 And now she was 84 years old: Or “And now she had been a widow for 84 years.”
2.37 without eating: The Jewish people sometimes went without eating (also called “fasting”) to show their love for God or to show sorrow for their sins.