Last updated on August 16, 2022
21 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.
22 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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 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, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant[e] depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
This is another one of those passages that could easily be overlooked, but it has several important points. First, the details of when, where, and how Mary and Joseph have Jesus circumcised, named, and dedicated are a testament to their own piety and their obedience to the Mosaic law (see Leviticus 12 for example). Notice also the ritual sacrifice made by Mary and Joseph is a pair or turtledoves or young pigeons, indicating that the couple was not exactly well off. They were poor by the standards of the day, but certainly rich in promise. Some commentators note – controversially, to my Catholic brothers and sisters – that the sacrifice being made here is confirmation that Mary, as well as Joseph, was a sinner in need of salvation. The sacrifice is not made on Jesus’ behalf.
Then enter Simeon, whom we know nothing about beyond these passages. He is clearly a devout man and was promised by the Holy Spirit himself that he will not die before he sees “the Lord’s Christ.” We cannot know how long Simeon had been waiting or how the Holy Spirit delivered this promise to him, but his openness to the Spirit places him in an extraordinary place in the story of Jesus. The Song of Simeon, also referred to as the “Nunc Dimittis,” is sung here in dedicating Jesus in the Temple. This beautiful piece of poetry and praise is now part of many liturgies, and is particularly used in Daily Evening Prayer and Compline, the latter is a liturgy for just prior to bedtime.
Simeon follows his song with a prophesy, but the song itself also contains a prophesy: that the salvation brought by the child in His arms will be for all people; not just the Jews. And Simeon goes on to say, strikingly, that Jesus ” is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel” (v. 34). I imagine that this statement produced mixed feelings in Mary and Joseph. Jesus’ ministry was going to result in salvation, yes, but also for judgment. The order of things as they were was going to be shaken, and the wrong would be made right, but it would come with a price and make many enemies. Jesus would pay that price for us. But Mary had a particular price to pay as well – “a sword will pierce through your own soul also” – since she would have to endure watching her son die in one of the worst ways possible. Yes, that pain would be temporary and Mary was a woman of astonishing faith, but she was still the mother.
The phrase, “for a sign that is opposed,” is admittedly confusing to me. My ESV study bible says it “foretells future opposition to Jesus,” which makes sense, but I can’t help but feel like there’s more here. But the next passage corresponds well to that reading: “so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed,” likely refers to the way in which reactions to Jesus’ words and deeds will reveal the “true colors” of many people, for better or worse.
So who is Anna? Verses 36-38 is the extent of our knowledge, but she is clearly a humble, elderly woman dedicated to God. I would love to know what she said in that moment. Unfortunately, it’s not recorded.
The Holy Family then returned to Nazareth, to their home. But wait? What about the time spent in Egypt and the Wise Men visiting Jesus? It’s recorded in Matthew 2, but why not here? Vernon McGee suggests that “It is well to remember again the purpose for writing each gospel is different. Matthew presents the Lord Jesus Christ as King, and Luke presents Him as the perfect Man. The coming of the wise men does not fit into Luke’s purpose for writing. The wise men came looking for a king, not for the ideal of the Greek race. Luke presents Him as the perfect Man, and notice how he carries out his purpose even at this point” in verses 39 and 40 (Thru the Bible, Vol. IV p. 255).
Ultimately, what we see in this passage is not only the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy and the confirmation of Jesus’ identity by faithful people, but also God’s use of ordinary people. It is not wealth or education or social and political standing that determines whether God uses someone for His purposes. It is faith, humility, and God’s grace.
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