Gospel of Luke - Chapter 2 - Verses 21 to 32

[a disciple]

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let's continue our study of the book of Luke, where we find ourselves in Chapter 1, specifically in Verse 21. Here, we witness a pivotal event - the circumcision of the child. When eight days had passed since the child's birth, he was named Jesus, in accordance with the name given to Joseph and Mary by the angel even before his conception. The circumcision, a significant ritual, was performed when the child was eight days old. This tradition also included the naming of the child, and there was no confusion as to the chosen name, given the angel's clear instructions.

In Verse 22, we read that, after the days of Mary's purification, as prescribed by the Law of Moses, had been completed, they journeyed to Jerusalem to present the child before the Lord. Moses had laid down stringent laws regarding purification, which were specific for both boy and girl children. The number of days of purification for the mother varied according to the gender of the child. After these days of purification had elapsed, Joseph and Mary embarked on their journey from Bethlehem to Jerusalem.

This travel marked one of the many journeys in the life of the infant Jesus, although not all of them are documented in the book of Luke. For instance, the Gospel of Matthew provides additional information on Jesus' early travels. It's noteworthy that in those times, people predominantly walked as there were no vehicles. The travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem took approximately 34 hours on foot. Eight days after his birth, Jesus was taken to Jerusalem, which would have taken around 2 hours to travel on foot. After this, as recounted in the book of Matthew, an angel of the Lord warned Joseph of a threat to the child's life, prompting a journey to Egypt. The distance from Bethlehem to Egypt covered 690 kilometers and would have taken around 6 days and 12 hours. Following their stay in Egypt and upon hearing of King Herod's death, they intended to return to Bethlehem. However, learning that Herod's son had succeeded him, they redirected their journey to Nazareth, which involved a 784-kilometer trek thould would take approximately 7 days and 10 hours on foot.

In Verse 23, as dictated by the Law of the Lord, every male child, as the firstborn, was dedicated to God. This dedication included circumcision, purification rituals for the mother, and an offering to the Lord. These customs and sacrifices were adhered to, and the family traveled to Jerusalem for this purpose.

Verse 24 specifies the offerings to be made according to the Law of the Lord, involving a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. These offerings were made in order to redeem and take back the child that had been consecrated to the Lord.

In Verse 25, we are introduced to Simeon, a man in Jerusalem known for his righteous and devout life. Although he is not explicitly referred to as a prophet in this text, he lived in a manner deeply devoted to God. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would see the Lord's Christ before his own death.

Verse 26 reiterates the revelation made to Simeon by the Holy Spirit, confirming that he would not experience death until he witnessed the arrival of the promised Messiah.

In Verse 27, we find Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, entering the temple. At the same time, Jesus' parents arrived with Him in accordance with customary rituals, including circumcision and dedication to God.

Verse 28 describes Simeon taking Jesus in his arms and offering a prayer of gratitude, acknowledging that he could now depart in peace, having seen the salvation of the Lord.

Verse 29 continues with Simeon's prayer, expressing his readiness to leave this world, for his eyes have seen God's salvation.

Verse 30 underscores that Jesus is the embodiment of salvation, prepared by God for all people.

Verse 31 emphasizes that this salvation is meant for all nations, in fulfillment of the divine plan.

Verse 32 reveals Jesus as a light, bringing revelation to the Gentiles and bringing glory to the people of Israel. This debunks the notion that Jesus' mission was exclusive to the Jews, as His revelation extended to the Gentiles, most notably through the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

We will continue with the study in the next post.

All Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[Jay Ross]

hello

From my reflecting on the story of Christ's life, I have concluded that we are not told where Jesus was circumcised. All that we know is that he was circumcised on the eighth day as was required by the Law, but that Law does not tell us that any Israelite children had to go to the Temple to be circumcised. It is my view that the Wise men came to Bethlehem within a day or two of Jesus' birth and that shortly afterwards, because of a warning to Joseph by an Angel, they travelled down to Egypt to avoid Herod's decree to kill all of the children under the age of two living at that time in Bethlehem.

After Herod had died, they returned to the Land of Canaan and chose to travel to Nazareth because of Herod's son who became the ruler after his father's death.

It was from Nazareth that Joseph, Mary and Jesus travelled down to Jerusalem to fulfil the requirement of the purification of Mary as required by the Law.

The travelling down to Egypt and returning to Nazareth fits into the time before Mary's purification was required to take place after Jesus was born.

Just though that you might appreciate this different line of thinking.

Shalom

 

[Tommy Cool]

It is my view that the Wise men came to Bethlehem within a day or two of Jesus' birth and that shortly afterwards, because of a warning to Joseph by an Angel, they travelled down to Egypt to avoid Herod's decree to kill all of the children under the age of two living at that time in Bethlehem.

This might help a little:

The wise guys were not at the birth as depicted in the stories we were told ….

The scripture below differentiates the age… and why Herod ordered all male children 2 years or younger …to be killed.

Luk 2:12
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe (brephos) wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Brephos = new born babe



Mat 2:11
And when they were come into the house, (oikia) they saw the young child (paidion) with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Paidion = young child

Oikia = a house, or dwelling

 

[Jay Ross]

This might help a little:

Not really. To develop an understanding of the events that surround the birth of Christ, I put the events into chronological order based on a reasoned logic on my part of how the events all unfolded.

Below is the chronological order of the scriptures based on the Gospel accounts of the birth of Christ over a probable 45 day period.

I have found the following breakdown of the early life of Christ, helps in putting the story in an understandable order for me to read. Perhaps this is of some use to others: -

Introduction to the story of Christ: -Matthew 1:1-17, Mark 1:1, Luke 1:1-4, John 1:1-5
Gabriel’s prophetic declaration of John the Baptist’s birth to Zechariah in the temple: - Luke 1:5-25
Mary hears the news from the angel Gabriel that she is to conceive a child: - Luke 1:26-38
Mary visits Elisabeth: - Luke 1:39-56
Joseph is told of the reason for Mary’s pregnancy: - Matt 1:18-25a
Joseph takes Mary with him to Bethlehem.: - Luke 2:1-5
Jesus is born: - Luke 2:6-7

Angles tell shepherds out in the field of the birth of Christ: - Luke 2:8-14
The shepherds go to Bethlehem to see Jesus: - Luke 2:15-20
Jesus is circumcised: - Luke 2:21 (This event was place at this point for convenience. Jesus could have been circumcised a couple of days later while on the way down to Egypt after the visit of the wise men.)
Jesus is named: - Matt 1:25b
The wise men visit Jesus: - Matt 2:1-12

Joseph is warned in a dream to go to Egypt: -Matt 2:13-15
Herod has infants under two years of age killed in Bethlehem: -Matt 2:16-18
After Herod dies, Joseph returned to Galilee and dwells in Nazareth: -Matt 2:19-23

Jesus taken to Jerusalem and presented to the Lord: - Luke 2:22-24
Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and prophecies: - Luke 2:25-34
Anna comes to the temple and speak about the redemption of Jerusalem: - Luke 2:36-38
They then return to Nazareth: - Luke 2:39

I hope that this will help you come to a better understanding of how the events of Christs birth and presentation to God in the temple unfolded.

Shalom

 

[a disciple]

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ

Brothers and Sisters, it is my opinion that weather Joseph and Mary travelled to Jerusalem from Nazareth or Bethlehem does not affect the main Biblical doctrines in any way. But many thanks to all of you for discussing. Please look out for further post and invite more people to the study.

Praise to Jesus Christ

 

[Jay Ross]

Brothers and Sisters, it is my opinion that whether Joseph and Mary travelled to Jerusalem from Nazareth or Bethlehem does not affect the main Biblical doctrines in any way. But many thanks to all of you for discussing. Please look out for further post and invite more people to the study.

I agree with you. When Jesus was circumcised and where does not alter the main Biblical doctrines, but it does question the strongly held traditions that prevail which paints a very different picture of the story of the Birth of Christ on this one aspect.

The Gospel accounts do not explain why Herod's decree that children under the age of two years old were to be killed. However, the recorded history of that time does provide a plausible explanation of why this was so.

Sometimes, we are not able to satisfactorily provide a definitive answer to what is recorded in the Gospels. The important point was that Jesus was circumcised in accordance with God's covenant with Abraham, thereby firmly establishing that Jesus was also an Israelite.