Luke 2:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

NIV: On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

NASB: And when eight days were completed so that it was time for His circumcision, He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

CSB: When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus--the name given by the angel before he was conceived.

NLT: Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus' upbringing was faithful to God's instructions as given to Israel in the Old Testament. That included circumcision (Leviticus 12:3). At this ceremony, it was traditional for male children to be "officially" given their name. The prior chapter depicted the controversy when John the Baptist was named (Luke 1:59–63). Jesus' designation is no surprise to anyone. When an angel announced His impending birth, the news included a name (Luke 1:31). That moment is recalled in this verse.

Messiah's given name is represented in English as Jesus. This is transliterated from the Greek Iēsous. That, in turn, is the Greek version of Yeshua or Yehashua, the same Hebrew name from which we derive Joshua. In Hebrew, the word literally means "Yahweh is salvation." When Joseph had his own angelic encounter (Matthew 1:21), it was explained that this was a reference to Jesus' role as Savior.

In the following verses, Jesus' family will continue to follow traditional Hebrew practice. They will go to the temple for purification, and for a form of infant dedication (Luke 2:22).

Luke 2:8–21 describes shepherds who are visited by numerous angels. These beings proclaim the birth of Christ and explain where He can be found. The men follow the angels' directions and find Jesus, Joseph, and Mary just as predicted. Jesus' family celebrates these events, as God continues to use simple people to proclaim His most important truths. When Jesus is eight days old, in accordance with Jewish tradition, he is circumcised and officially given His prophesied name.

The early part of this chapter is famously read at Christmas, while celebrating the birth of Jesus. Luke gives a relatively brief description of how Mary came to give birth in a stable, laying Jesus in a feeding trough. Nearby shepherds are informed of the news by multiple angels. Two people speak in praise of God at Jesus' circumcision. Years later, Joseph and Mary lose track of Jesus on the way back from Jerusalem, only to find Him astounding teachers in the temple with His wisdom.

Luke began his well-organized account by explaining the conceptions of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist, in chapter 1. In chapter 2, he briefly summarizes Jesus' birth and the arrival of shepherds directed by angels. Prophecies and prayers celebrate His dedication at the temple. After briefly losing track of a twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple, Jesus' parents take Him home to Nazareth. There, He grows up relatively normally. Chapter 3 leaps forward many years to the beginning of John the Baptist's preaching. This is followed by Jesus' genealogy. Chapter 4 relates Jesus' temptations by Satan and the start of His public ministry.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 4/29/2024 7:22:20 AM