The Circumcision and Presentation in the Temple: Luke 2:21-38

First note in fitting his character, it is only the doctor, Luke, who points out the circumcision.

V. 21

In having Jesus circumcised on the eighth day, Joseph and Mary were following the law found in Leviticus 12:1-3. Take note that Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly, even in his infancy.

V. 22-24

Note that Luke has to explain the event of circumcision. The reason is because of his gentile audience. They would not have understood the religious aspect of it.

V. 23

Here Exodus 13:1-2 was being quoted from.

V. 24

Here Leviticus 12:1-8 is being quoted from. Notice in the Leviticus passage that the offering of the poor was a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Joseph and Mary offered the offering of the poor. The reason was that they were poor. Therefore, Jesus grew up in the lower class.

V. 26

The Lord told Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s promise. It is this event that reveals that sometimes God will reveal specific things about the future of our lives.

V. 25-32

It is in this passage that we see that Simeon was completely surrendered to the Holy Spirit. It should be noted, that just as Mary was pure and received a blessing from God, Simeon was submissive and received a blessing from God. We can receive blessings despite our lifestyles, but we may never know how many blessings we miss out on because of our sinfulness or lack of righteousness.

V. 29

The word of God being referred to here is more than likely referring to the word that came directly to Simeon about the promise, not the written word.

V. 30-32

In these verses Simeon in prayer reveals descriptions about Christ. First, He is the salvation of God, that is the salvation provided for by God. Second, many were to be drawn to his birth. Many were already drawn when the shepherds came and later would come the wise men. Many others would be drawn to Christ because of His birth. It is because of His birth that he was able to die for our sins.