Luke 2:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

NIV: 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,

NASB: And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

CSB: 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,

NLT: That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required,

KJV: And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

NKJV: So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,

This man is named Simeon (Luke 2:25), which is one of the few details about him given in Scripture. We also know he is a sincere worshipper of God. He longs to see God's promised Savior. We also know he is deeply influenced by the Holy Spirit, including a divine promise he would live to see the Messiah (Luke 2:26). That spiritual power is what leads him into the temple in Jerusalem, on the very day Mary and Joseph bring Jesus. Their visit is to fulfill ritual purification rites (Luke 2:22–24).

Luke's account here is brief, so we're not sure what conversation happened between Mary and Simeon (Luke 2:28). What we are told is that Simeon not only sees Jesus, but he is also able to hold Him. While doing so, Simeon will deliver a prophetic praise to God and a dire prediction to Mary.

Luke 2:22–38 contains several interesting events. The infant Jesus is brought to the temple for purification and dedication, as commanded in Mosaic law. There, a devout man speaks through the Holy Spirit to celebrate the arrival of Messiah. Luke also mentions a prophetess named Anna, who likewise praises God for fulfilling His promises.

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 5/4/2024 4:14:47 PM