Luke 2:21-40

Christian Standard Bible

The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus

²¹When the eight days were completed for his circumcision,^(A) he was named Jesus^(B)—the name given by the angel before he was conceived. ²²And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished,^(C) they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³(just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated^[a] to the Lord^[b]^(D)) ²⁴and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons^[c]^(E)).

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

²⁵There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,^(F) looking forward to Israel’s consolation,^(G) and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit^(H) that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.^(I) ²⁷Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

²⁹Now, Master,
you can dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.
³⁰For my eyes have seen your salvation.^(J)
³¹You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples—
³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles^[d]^(K)
and glory to your people Israel.^(L)

³³His father and mother^[e] were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel^(M) and to be a sign that will be opposed^[f]— ³⁵and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts^[g] of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna’s Testimony

³⁶There was also a prophetess,^(N) Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.^(O) She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,^[h]^(P) ³⁷and was a widow for eighty-four years.^[i] She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.^(Q) ³⁸At that very moment,^[j] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.^[k]^(R)

The Family’s Return to Nazareth

³⁹When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.^(S) ⁴⁰The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.^(T)

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Footnotes

2:23 Lit be called holy
2:23 Ex 13:2,12
2:24 Lv 5:11; 12:8
2:32 Or the nations
2:33 Other mss read But Joseph and his mother
2:34 Or spoken against
2:35 Or schemes
2:36 Lit years from her virginity
2:37 Or she was a widow until the age of eighty-four
2:38 Lit very hour
2:38 Other mss read in Jerusalem

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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