Chapter

Luke 2:22

ESV And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
NIV When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
NASB And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
CSB And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
NLT Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
KJV 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;
NKJV Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

What does Luke 2:22 mean?

Mosaic law provided Israel a series of commands relating to ceremonial purity. One of these regulations involved childbirth, and here Mary and Joseph are completing the required purification (Leviticus 12). This cleansing is not an atonement for sin, but a symbolic restoration of purity. By law, those who could afford a lamb were required to offer one, in addition to a bird, for the purification sacrifice. Those unable to afford a lamb could bring two birds, rather than just one.

According to this passage, Joseph and Mary are poor enough that they fall into the latter category; they offer a pair of birds to fulfill their requirement (Luke 2:24). Their act not only satisfies ceremonial purity, but it also obeys the instructions given at Israel's exodus from Egypt: that firstborn were to be consecrated to God (Exodus 13:1–2).
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