21 And when eight days had passed , before His circumcision , His name was then called Jesus , the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb . 22 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 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord , " EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE Lord "), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord , " A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS ."
25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon ; and this man was righteous and devout , looking 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 carry out for Him the custom of the Law , 28 then he took Him into his arms , and blessed God , and said , 29 "Now Lord , You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace , According to Your word ; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation , 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples , 32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES , And the glory of Your people Israel ." 33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother , "Behold , this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel , and for a sign to be opposed - 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul -to the end 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 and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage , 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four e . She never left the temple , serving night and day with fastings and prayers . 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God , and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem .
39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord , they returned to Galilee , to their own city of Nazareth .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 2:21-39
Commentary on Luke 2:21-24
(Read Luke 2:21-24)
Our Lord Jesus was not born in sin, and did not need that mortification of a corrupt nature, or that renewal unto holiness, which were signified by circumcision. This ordinance was, in his case, a pledge of his future perfect obedience to the whole law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even unto death for us. At the end of forty days, Mary went up to the temple to offer the appointed sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also presented the holy child Jesus, because, as a first-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord, and redeemed according to the law. Let us present our children to the Lord who gave them to us, beseeching him to redeem them from sin and death, and make them holy to himself.
Commentary on Luke 2:25-35
(Read Luke 2:25-35)
The same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon's hope, provided for his joy. Those who would see Christ must go to his temple. Here is a confession of his faith, that this Child in his arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself, the salvation of God's appointing. He bids farewell to this world. How poor does this world look to one that has Christ in his arms, and salvation in his view! See here, how comfortable is the death of a good man; he departs in peace with God, peace with his own conscience, in peace with death. Those that have welcomed Christ, may welcome death. Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things which were spoken of this Child. Simeon shows them likewise, what reason they had to rejoice with trembling. And Jesus, his doctrine, and people, are still spoken against; his truth and holiness are still denied and blasphemed; his preached word is still the touchstone of men's characters. The secret good affections in the minds of some, will be revealed by their embracing Christ; the secret corruptions of others will be revealed by their enmity to Christ. Men will be judged by the thoughts of their hearts concerning Christ. He shall be a suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with him, because of the nearness of her relation and affection.
Commentary on Luke 2:36-40
(Read Luke 2:36-40)
There was much evil then in the church, yet God left not himself without witness. Anna always dwelt in, or at least attended at, the temple. She was always in a praying spirit; gave herself to prayer, and in all things she served God. Those to whom Christ is made known, have great reason to thank the Lord. She taught others concerning him. Let the example of the venerable saints, Simeon and Anna, give courage to those whose hoary heads are, like theirs, a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. The lips soon to be silent in the grave, should be showing forth the praises of the Redeemer. In all things it became Christ to be made like unto his brethren, therefore he passed through infancy and childhood as other children, yet without sin, and with manifest proofs of the Divine nature in him. By the Spirit of God all his faculties performed their offices in a manner not seen in any one else. Other children have foolishness bound in their hearts, which appears in what they say or do, but he was filled with wisdom, by the influence of the Holy Ghost; every thing he said and did, was wisely said and wisely done, above his years. Other children show the corruption of their nature; nothing but the grace of God was upon him.