Luke Chapter 2, Part 2

Verses 36-38 – Annas Testimony

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 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. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.[1]

Verse 36

Anna, a prophetess – Just as Simeon was a just and devout man, and that gave him the ability to have made known to him the nature of Christ, so too, Anna has a special privilege to see the Child Jesus for who He is.

Though Christ was widely rejected by the Jewish people, Luke intends to show that those devout followers of Judaism recognized Christ early on as the Messiah.

Of the tribe of Asher – It is unclear why Luke added the tribe of Anna, here. Asher is one of the ten tribes carried off to they Babylonian exile. A great number of people decided to not return, though the tribes were still well known enough to identify people by tribal affiliation. Even today, tribal information is not wholly lost.

Husband seven years from her virginity – Anna appears to have been married early, likely at the earliest age of twelve. The text indicates that her husband died seven years into their marriage and Anna never remarried.

Verse 37

Widow eighty-four years – The grammar of the text is not clear on whether Anna was eighty-four years old, or if she was widowed for eighty-four years. This gives a possible age range of eighty-four to a hundred and three years old.

From a theological exegesis standpoint, whether she is of the age mentioned, or widowed from that long is unimportant. What is of theological importance is what follows.

Departed not, but served – Anna was a devoted women. Through her life, she served the Lord day and night with fasting and prayer. Anna was a righteous women, and her testimony reliable and is included for credibility to the story.

Verse 38

Gave thanks – This is the proper response of anyone given privilege to know the Lord. It is likely that Anna was there to witness and here Simeon’s testimony and prophecy. In response, Anna recognized the Messiah and give thanks.

And spake to them – It is likely that Anna was at the temple with a group of people also waiting for the Consolation of Israel. It seems to be that she spoke to the group with her, and not the wider temple audience.

Looked for the redemption in Jerusalem – This is another way of saying the Consolation of Israel, or, they were looking for the Messiah.

Verses 39-40 – Jesus Childhood in Nazareth

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.[2]

Verse 39

When they performed… According to the law – As Zacharias and Elisabeth were devout followers of the law, so too, were Joseph and Mary. This verse isn’t here plainly with no theological significance to us. It shows us both, that Jesus has fulfilled the law as required and how we out to live. We should be upright and just before God.

Returned to Nazareth – Luke includes this to setup for the following verses. Luke’s gospel is absent of the flight to Egypt. Most commentators place that event between verses 38 and 39, and I have to disagree. What we read up to this point in the chapter takes place only a few months after Christ is born. We know that Christ may have been up to two years old when the Magi visit him. It is likely that the Magi visit and flight to Egypt take place between verse 40 and verse 41.

Verse 40

Unlike with John, who was given a two-fold description, he grew and waxed strong in spirit. Jesus is given a four-fold description. He grew, waxed strong in spirit, was filled with wisdom, and had the grace of God upon Him.

This description shows that Christ was indeed greater than John and is a foreshadow for the amazement of the teachers in verse 47.

Verses 41-51 – Jesus converses in the Temple

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.[3]

Verse 41

Every year for Passover – It was Jewish custom and law that all males thirteen and older should attend the three major feasts every year in Jerusalem. With the scattering of Israel throughout the Roman empire, making the trip three times a year became a difficult task, and many families made a tradition of going up once a year. Mary and Josephs tradition was to go up yearly for Passover.

Passover in Ex 12:24-27

“24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.[4]”

The Law as required in Deuteronomy 16:1-8

“Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the Lord thy God: for in the month of Abib the Lord thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. 2 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the Lord thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the Lord shall choose to place his name there. 3 Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life. 4 And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning. 5 Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee: 6 But at the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt. 7 And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents. 8 Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.[5]”

Verse 42

When He was twelve years old – About twelve years has passed from verse 40 and verse 42. By the age of twelve, most Jewish boys are being groomed into son’s of the law and are trained in the practices of the religion. This is likely the first time Jesus has been to the temple since His circumcision earlier in this chapter.

Verse 43

When they had fulfilled the days – Some commentators say this was the full seven days of Passover, others believe it was on the third day. While it was lawful to begin your journey home half way through the third day, it is unclear from the text whether they stayed the full week or not.

Jesus tarried behind – It is unstated whether this was intentional or not, however, it seems contextually safe to know that Jesus knew He was staying behind as they left. He seemed surprised they were looking for Him in the later verses.

Knew not of it – Joseph and Mary were under the assumption that Christ was with them as they travelled. More to note on this in verse 44.

Verse 44

Sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance – For these often long religious journeys, entire towns and villages would often travel together. Commentators have suggested this is both for protection and for company.

This also give context as to how Joseph and Mary could lose Christ. They would have expected He was with the other young men as they travelled. Families could be separated throughout the journey until they settled for camp and individual families came together again.

It was at this time, About a days journey, or about twenty miles, they came together and found not their Son Jesus. Searching among their travel companions, they make the decision to turn back towards Jerusalem.

Verse 46

Three days – It is now three days later. At first thought, my reaction would be, “why didn’t they go straight to the temple?” – But this time frame makes sense. A day out, when they first noticed Him missing, the night, and a day’s journey back. In Jewish culture, it was common to count the current day in the numbering. It was likely this third day they went straight to the temple and discovered Him there.

Temple – Not the sanctuary as we discussed with Zacharias. The sanctuary was only available to the priest. But this would have been a courtyard or side room where the teachers would gather together.

Doctors – Or, teachers. Luke avoided using the term “teachers of the law” which he always used with as

a native term. They were going back and forth, each asking questions, and each answering questions. The text does not support that Christ had yet taken the role of teacher.

Verse 47

They were astonished, or amazed, at His teachings. Even from His early age, Christ is showing that He has supernatural wisdom, even that wisdom of the one true God. His understand of the law and how things work surpass that of the teachers and they are amazed.

Verse 48

When they saw Him, They were amazed – The text is unclear what they were amazed at. Were they amazed at His teachings and understandings? Or were they amazed by where they located Him, no other place then the temple.

Why hast thou delt with us? – More literally, why have you done this to us? It is understandable that Mary would have been upset.

Your father and I – Mary uses the term father here in the legal sense. Joseph has adopted Christ and is His legal gardian.

With sorrow – Losing their son has caused them grief and sorrow. They searched for Him, likely with great worry and tears. More than losing their own son, the reality of having lost God was likely weighing down on them – There is, however, another distinct possibility they have not yet realized Christ was God, based on verse 50.

Verse 49

And He said – These are the very first words of Christ recorded in the New Testament.

Why have you sought me? Know ye not I am supposed to be about my Fathers business? – To Christ, this was not a smart comeback. He was not being a typical twelve-year-old. He was genuinely surprised. To Him, His parents should have expected this. Surely, after the announcement of the miraculous birth and twelve years of interacting with Him, they should have known that He had a unique relationship with God. His statement also shows that from His young age, Christ was aware of His special purpose on Earth. Some translations translate this as “Know ye not I am supposed to be in my Fathers house?”

Verse 50

And they understood not – Joseph and Mary did not understand the word of Christ. It appears as if they have not yet fully realized who their son is.

Verse 51

Jesus returns with Mary and Joseph, as an obedient son. Luke includes this, probably to show that Christ was submissive, but this in no way indicates He was disobedient before.

Verse 52 – Jesus Grows

And Jesus increased in wisdom and pstature, and in favour with God and man.[6]

This is a short and concise summary of Jesus early life. This is the entire record we have of His youth and adulthood prior to His ministry. As He grew, His wisdom increased, showing that even as God, He can identify with man as going through a learning process. Stature refers to age, He was getting older. He was obedient under the law and fulfilled it perfectly, finding favour with God, and men generally responded well to the young Christ. It was not until He started claiming deity that the Jewish population began to reject Him widespread.

This is also an echo from 1 Samuel 2:26

“26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.[7]”

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 2:36–38). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 2:39–40). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 2:41–51). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ex 12:24–28). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Dt 16:1–8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[6] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 2:52). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[7] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Sa 2:26). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.