Luke 2:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

NIV: and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

NASB: and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple grounds, serving night and day with fasts and prayers.

CSB: and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.

NLT: Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.

KJV: And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

NKJV: and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Anna, described as a "prophetess" (Luke 2:36; Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4), is an elderly woman long since widowed. She seems to have spent most of her life praying, fasting, and worshipping. According to this passage, she will notice the arrival of Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:22–24). Shortly after Simeon (Luke 2:25–32) praises God for sending the Messiah, Anna will echo those ideas as she tells everyone the good news (Luke 2:38).

Widows, in ancient culture, were especially vulnerable. It was more difficult for women to earn money independently, so most depended on their children for support. Anna's marriage was in the typical time of youth (Luke 2:36), meaning she has lived most of her life as a widow. To what extent she has been supported by others, Scripture does not say.

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 5/3/2024 10:44:01 PM