Luke 2:23

Luke 2:23, in plain English

They were following the Law that said every firstborn son must be set apart as holy and dedicated to the Lord.

Why it's here

This law went all the way back to when God rescued Israel's firstborn sons from Egypt. By following it, Mary and Joseph honored that ancient tradition.

Who's speaking

Luke explains the Old Testament law behind their temple visit.

Where it sits in the story

Every firstborn son in Israel was considered specially belonging to God. Mary and Joseph were simply doing what faithful parents did—but this particular firstborn truly did belong to God in every sense.

The scholarly reading

Luke cites the Torah requirement that every firstborn male (pan arsen dianoigon mētran) be consecrated (hagion klēthēsetai) to the Lord, quoting Exodus 13:2, 12.

Language and setting

The firstborn consecration law originates in the Exodus, when God spared Israel's firstborn and claimed them as His own. Jesus' presentation thus links Him to the Exodus narrative.

Voice

Luke provides the scriptural basis for the temple presentation.

Significance

By citing the Law, Luke shows that Jesus' parents treated Him as every faithful Jewish family would treat their firstborn—dedicated to God, in keeping with the Exodus tradition.

21When the eight days before His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived.

22And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord

23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”),

24and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Read all of Luke 2 — The most powerful person in history arrives as the most vulnerable — a baby in a feeding trough. The announcement goes to shepherds.