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Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

Illustration of Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
Era
Life of Christ
Date
c. 5-4 BC ≈ Approximate
Reference
Luke 2:22-38
In the temple courts an old man took the baby Jesus in his arms and declared that his eyes had seen God's salvation.

When the days of Mary's purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, about forty days after the birth, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, offering 'A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons,' the sacrifice the law allowed for families who could not afford a lamb. In the temple they met Simeon, a just and devout man to whom the Holy Ghost had revealed that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Taking the child in his arms, Simeon blessed God: 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' He called the child a light to lighten the Gentiles and warned Mary that a sword would pierce through her own soul. Then the aged prophetess Anna, who served God with fastings and prayers night and day, gave thanks and spoke of Him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

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Did You Know?

1

Turtledoves or young pigeons were the offering Leviticus 12 allowed when a family 'be not able to bring a lamb.'

2

Simeon's song is known as the Nunc Dimittis, from its opening words in Latin.

3

Anna, of the tribe of Aser, was 'a widow of about fourscore and four years.'

Key Passage

Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

Luke 2:22-38

A22nd when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 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.

Read full chapter: Luke 2 →

Meanwhile in the World

The Roman Empire is at its peak under Augustus and Tiberius (Pax Romana). Rome controls the entire Mediterranean world. Roads, common language (Greek), and peace make travel and communication easy - the 'fullness of time.' Herod the Great rules Judea as a client king.

When: c. 5 BC - AD 33

Key Civilizations: Roman Empire (Pax Romana)