Jesus Is Presented at the Temple
Simeon and Anna meet the promised child
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Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
Forty days after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple in Jerusalem with the offering of a family that could not afford a lamb. An old man named Simeon, who had been promised he would see the Christ before he died, took Jesus in his arms and praised God for his salvation, a light for every nation. Then Simeon warned Mary of sorrow to come, and Anna, a very old prophetess, thanked God and told everyone waiting for God's rescue about the child.
Where it is in the Bible: Luke 2:22-40
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. Here he is a baby, about six weeks old.
- Mary and Joseph: Jesus's mother, and Joseph, her husband, who raised Jesus as his son.
- Simeon: An old man in Jerusalem who loves God and has been waiting a long time.
- Anna: A very old widow and prophetess who spends her days in the temple. A prophetess is a woman who speaks for God.
Setting
- The temple courts in Jerusalem. The temple was the center of worship for God's people.
When
- About 2,000 years ago, forty days after Jesus was born.
Before the Story
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Mary laid him in a manger, a feeding box for animals (2:7). Shepherds came to see him (2:16).
On his eighth day, he was named. Mary and Joseph named him Jesus, the name the angel had given (2:21).
God's law had two rules for a new baby. A mother brought an offering forty days after a son was born (Leviticus 12:2-6). And every firstborn son belonged to God in a special way (Exodus 13:2).
God's people had been waiting a long time. The prophet Isaiah had written God's words, "Comfort, comfort My people" (Isaiah 40:1). Many people were still waiting for that comfort.
Here's what you know that most people in the temple don't: This baby is the Christ, the Savior God promised. An angel told the shepherds so (2:11).
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A trip to the temple | 2:22-24 | Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to Jerusalem |
| 2. A man who was waiting | 2:25-27 | The Holy Spirit leads Simeon to the temple |
| 3. Simeon's song | 2:28-32 | Simeon holds Jesus and praises God |
| 4. Words for Mary | 2:33-35 | Simeon tells Mary something hard |
| 5. Anna | 2:36-38 | An old prophetess tells everyone about Jesus |
| 6. Home to Nazareth | 2:39-40 | The family goes home, and Jesus grows |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 6A Trip to the Temple
Forty days after Jesus was born, it was time to keep God's law about a new baby.
Mary and Joseph carried Jesus to Jerusalem. They came to present him to the Lord. To present means to bring someone and show them.
The law said, "Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord" (2:23). Consecrated means set apart for God.
They also brought an offering. The law said, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" (2:24). Turtledoves are small, gentle birds.
The law let families who could not afford a lamb bring two birds instead (Leviticus 12:8). Mary and Joseph brought birds.
Scene 2 of 6A Man Who Was Waiting
A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout. That means he loved God and tried to live God's way.
Simeon was waiting for "the consolation of Israel" (2:25). Consolation means comfort. He was waiting for God to keep his promise to comfort his people.
The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. The Spirit had told him something special: he would not die before he saw the Lord's Christ. The Christ is the one God promised to send.
That day, the Spirit led Simeon into the temple courts. He arrived just as Mary and Joseph brought Jesus in.
Scene 3 of 6Simeon's Song
Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms. He praised God.
"Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace" (2:29). Sovereign means the one who rules over everything. To dismiss means to let someone go. Simeon was ready to die in peace.
"For my eyes have seen Your salvation" (2:30). Salvation means God's rescue. Simeon was holding it in his arms.
God's salvation was for everyone. Simeon called it "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel" (2:32). Gentiles are people who are not Jewish.
Scene 4 of 6Words for Mary
Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said about their child.
Then Simeon blessed them. He spoke to Mary.
He said this child would cause many in Israel to fall and to rise. He would be "a sign that will be spoken against" (2:34). Many people would argue against Jesus.
Then Simeon said, "a sword will pierce your soul as well" (2:35).
This is a comparison. No one would stab Mary with a real sword. It means Mary would feel deep pain. Many years later, Mary stood near the cross when Jesus died (John 19:25).
Scene 5 of 6Anna
There was also a prophetess named Anna. She was the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher.
Anna was very old. She had been married for seven years. Then her husband died, and she was a widow until she was eighty-four. A widow is a woman whose husband has died.
Anna never left the temple. She worshiped God night and day. She fasted and prayed. To fast means to go without food for a time so you can pray.
At that very moment, Anna came up to them. She gave thanks to God.
Then she told everyone about the child. She told all the people who were waiting for God to rescue Jerusalem.
Scene 6 of 6Home to Nazareth
Mary and Joseph did everything God's law asked. Then they went home to their own town, Nazareth, in Galilee.
The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was upon him. Grace means God's kindness and favor.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "To present Him to the Lord" (2:22) | Mary and Joseph kept God's law. Jesus was born under the law, to keep it for us (Galatians 4:4-5). |
| "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" (2:24) | This was the offering for families who could not afford a lamb. Jesus was born into a family that did not have much. |
| "Waiting for the consolation of Israel" (2:25) | Simeon trusted God's promise to comfort his people. He waited his whole life. |
| "You now dismiss Your servant in peace" (2:29) | Simeon was ready to die. He had seen what God promised. |
| "A light for revelation to the Gentiles" (2:32) | Jesus came for every nation, not only for one people. God had promised this through Isaiah (Isaiah 49:6). |
| "A sword will pierce your soul" (2:35) | Mary would suffer deep sorrow when Jesus suffered. |
| "She gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child" (2:38) | Anna was one of the first people to tell others about Jesus. |
Back Then
The temple had large open courts. Many people came there each day to pray and bring offerings. Simeon and Anna met the family in these busy courts.
Forty days is how the law counted. A mother waited seven days, and then thirty-three more, before bringing her offering (Leviticus 12:2-4). So Jesus was about six weeks old.
Asher was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each tribe came from one of Jacob's sons. Asher's land was in the far north (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
Simeon's song has been sung for centuries. In Latin it is called the Nunc Dimittis. Those are its first two words: "now you dismiss."
Literal Reader Alert
Was Anna eighty-four, or a widow for eighty-four years? The Greek words can be read both ways. The BSB says she was a widow "to the age of eighty-four" (2:37). Some other Bibles say she had been a widow for eighty-four years. Either way, she was very old, and she had waited a long time.
Did Anna live in the temple? Luke says she "never left the temple" (2:37). Many readers think it means she was there every day, from early morning until night. Luke doesn't say where she slept.
Did Jesus need to be made clean? No. The offering was about the law for a mother after giving birth. Jesus was born under the law, and his family kept it.
Why was Simeon happy to die? He wasn't sad to leave. He had waited all his life to see God's promise. Now he had held it in his arms. He could go in peace.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Simeon | Peaceful | He had seen God's salvation (2:29-30) |
| Mary and Joseph | Amazed | Simeon said wonderful things about their child (2:33) |
| Mary | Troubled | Simeon said a sword would pierce her soul (2:35) |
| Anna | Thankful | She gave thanks to God when she saw Jesus (2:38) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What are you waiting for right now? Tap one.
Something to change
Simeon waited a long time. God kept his promise. You can tell God what you are waiting for.
To feel close to God
Anna stayed close to God for years. Then God brought Jesus right to her.
Nothing, I'm thankful
Then join Anna. She gave thanks, and she told others.
I'm tired of waiting
Waiting is hard. Simeon and Anna were old when their waiting ended. God did not forget them, and he does not forget you.
You Might Have Heard
"God is for young, busy, important people."
What's true: God uses all kinds of people.
What the story is mainly about: The first people in the temple to welcome Jesus were not priests or leaders. They were an old man and a very old widow, people who had waited a long time. God saw them. God brought Jesus to them.
Where Jesus is: In Simeon's arms. God's salvation came as a small baby, carried in by a family that could only afford two birds.
Good News
Simeon waited his whole life for God's promise. Then he held it in his arms.
"For my eyes have seen Your salvation" (2:30).
Many Lutheran churches sing Simeon's song after Holy Communion. People who have just received Jesus's body and blood sing what Simeon sang.
God keeps his promises. Jesus is his salvation, and he came for you.
Big Idea
Simeon and Anna waited, and God kept his promise. Jesus is God's salvation, a light for every nation.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In 1524, Luther wrote a hymn based on Simeon's song. In English it is often called "In Peace and Joy I Now Depart." In it, Luther sings that Christ makes death like a sleep for those who trust him.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Luke 2:22-40 on the First Sunday of Christmas in Year B. Many churches also keep February 2 as the Presentation of Our Lord, and read this story every year.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
How did that feel?
You finished Jesus Is Presented at the Temple.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- First Sunday of Christmas Year BGospel, Luke 2:22–40
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Is Presented at the Temple, explained in plain words. An old man and a very old widow have waited all their lives. Then a baby is carried in. About 11 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-is-presented-at-the-temple/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church