The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus

21 When the eight days were completed for his circumcision,(A) he was named Jesus(B)—the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And 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)) 24 and 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

25 There 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. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit(H) that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.(I) 27 Guided 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, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

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

33 His father and mother[e] were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then 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] 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts[g] of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna’s Testimony

36 There 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) 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years.[i] She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.(Q) 38 At 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

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

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Footnotes

  1. 2:23 Lit be called holy
  2. 2:23 Ex 13:2,12
  3. 2:24 Lv 5:11; 12:8
  4. 2:32 Or the nations
  5. 2:33 Other mss read But Joseph and his mother
  6. 2:34 Or spoken against
  7. 2:35 Or schemes
  8. 2:36 Lit years from her virginity
  9. 2:37 Or she was a widow until the age of eighty-four
  10. 2:38 Lit very hour
  11. 2:38 Other mss read in Jerusalem

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child,(A) he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.(B)

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses,(C) Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a]),(D) 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[b](E)

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.(F) He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,(G) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,(H) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,(I)
    you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace.(J)
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,(K)
31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”(L)

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:(M) “This child is destined to cause the falling(N) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet,(O) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[d](P) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(Q) 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(R)

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.(S) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(T)

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:23 Exodus 13:2,12
  2. Luke 2:24 Lev. 12:8
  3. Luke 2:29 Or promised, / now dismiss
  4. Luke 2:37 Or then had been a widow for eighty-four years.