Study Bible
Luke
Chapter 2

Luke 2:21-24

Luke 2:21-24Luke: List of Major Bible Charts, Maps, & PicturesJesus' Beginnings with John the BaptistBirths and Childhoods

Luke 2:21-24

Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day, as the law prescribed (Gen. 17:12; cf. Gal 4:4-5). "He was named Jesus" (Luke 2:21; cf. Luke 1:31). Ryle quoting Poole says, "We read of four people in the Old Testament to whom God gave names before they were born: Isaac (Genesis 17:19); Josiah (1 Kings 13:2); Ishmael (Genesis 16:11); Cyrus (Isaiah 44:28); and in the New Testament we read of two: John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. This tells us how certain God was about future contingencies."

The need for purification arose from the fact that a mother was ceremonially unclean for seven days after the birth of a son (Lev. 12:2). For another 33 days, she was to keep away from holy things (the time periods were doubled after the birth of a daughter; Lev. 12:1-5). She was then to offer a lamb and a dove or pigeon. If she was poor, her offering was to be two doves or pigeons (Lev. 12:6-8). Mary's offering was that of the poor. Only the first male child of every mother was presented to the Lord (Exod. 13:2). As to the relationship between circumcision and baptism please see the Birth of John the Baptist - Luke 1:57-66 (below).

Obedience to the Law of Moses is mentioned several times in these verses. This emphasizes the piety of Joseph and Mary. It also shows Jesus's obedience to and fulfillment of the Law (Matt. 3:15; 5:17-18). Though Jesus was sinless, he was willingly born under the Law (Gal. 4:4-5). This allowed him to experience the fullness of human life and be a perfect substitute for humanity before God (Rom. 8:3; Heb. 2:17).

Luke 2:21

Joseph and Mary obeyed God and named their baby Jesus (1:31). They also obeyed by keeping his Law and having their son circumcised (see note on 1:59).

Luke 2:22

purification. After giving birth, a mother was ritually unclean for seven days. She had to remain at home for a further thirty-three days before going to the temple in Jerusalem to offer her sacrifice and be ritually cleansed (v. 24; Lev 12:2-8). their. Joseph was included although the Law only required the mother's purification. Apparently, he needed purification because he assisted in the birth process, or he was involved in Jesus's dedication alongside Mary. present. The Law did not require a child to be brought to the temple along with the offering (v. 24). Beyond the required redemption of their son, they also dedicated him to the Lord's service (see 1 Sam. 1:11, 22, 28). This was another example of their sincere love for God. It also anticipated the kind of life Jesus himself would live.

Luke 2:23

written in the law. Luke summarized the relevant Old Testament texts (Exod. 13:2, 12, 15) to explain the rituals of v. 22. Every … male. Under God's covenant with Israel, God claimed the right to the life of every firstborn son in Israel. This was a reminder of Israel's redemption from Egypt (Exod. 13:14). God did not require the firstborn to be sacrificed as in some pagan religions. Instead, the parents acknowledged his gracious rule over their lives by redeeming the child through an animal offering.

Luke 2:24

Normally, a lamb was offered in sacrifice for the mother's purification (v. 22). However, God made provision for those in poverty and allowed them to offer two doves or pigeons (Lev 5:11; 12:8). By noting this was Joseph and Mary's offering, Luke acknowledged their poverty. Moreover, he pointed to the humility of Christ's incarnation (1:48, 52-53).

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