Luke 2:22 refers to a Jewish custom following the birth of a child. Let's break down the meaning of each part of the verse:
"When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled..." This refers to the period of ritual impurity a woman experienced after childbirth, as outlined in Leviticus 12. For a son, this period was 40 days (7 days of impurity plus 33 days of purification). "Their" refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph, who was participating in the purification rites alongside Mary, as the guardian of the baby.
"...they brought him up to Jerusalem..." Jerusalem was the location of the Temple, the most important religious site for the Jewish people. This was a journey to fulfill the requirements of the Law.
"...to present him to the Lord" This action encompasses two parts, reflecting two separate requirements of the Mosaic law:
Redemption of the Firstborn (Exodus 13:2, 12-15; Numbers 18:15-16): Every firstborn male belonged to God. He had to be redeemed by paying a price. This act acknowledged God's ownership.
Purification Offering (Leviticus 12:6-8): After the period of purification, the mother was required to offer a sacrifice at the Temple as a sign of purification. The offering could be a lamb and a young pigeon or turtledove. However, if the family was poor, they could offer two turtledoves or two young pigeons instead. As the verse continues, we later learn that Mary and Joseph offered the latter, demonstrating their humble financial state.
In summary, Luke 2:22 means that after the 40 days of purification prescribed by Jewish law following Jesus' birth were over, Mary and Joseph went to the Temple in Jerusalem. There, they fulfilled two key religious obligations: presenting Jesus to the Lord by redeeming him as the firstborn male and offering a sacrifice for Mary's purification. This highlights their adherence to Jewish law and their devotion to God.
Luke 2:22 refers to a Jewish custom following the birth of a child. Let's break down the meaning of each part of the verse:
"When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled..." This refers to the period of ritual impurity a woman experienced after childbirth, as outlined in Leviticus 12. For a son, this period was 40 days (7 days of impurity plus 33 days of purification). "Their" refers to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph, who was participating in the purification rites alongside Mary, as the guardian of the baby.
"...they brought him up to Jerusalem..." Jerusalem was the location of the Temple, the most important religious site for the Jewish people. This was a journey to fulfill the requirements of the Law.
"...to present him to the Lord" This action encompasses two parts, reflecting two separate requirements of the Mosaic law:
Redemption of the Firstborn (Exodus 13:2, 12-15; Numbers 18:15-16): Every firstborn male belonged to God. He had to be redeemed by paying a price. This act acknowledged God's ownership.
Purification Offering (Leviticus 12:6-8): After the period of purification, the mother was required to offer a sacrifice at the Temple as a sign of purification. The offering could be a lamb and a young pigeon or turtledove. However, if the family was poor, they could offer two turtledoves or two young pigeons instead. As the verse continues, we later learn that Mary and Joseph offered the latter, demonstrating their humble financial state.
In summary, Luke 2:22 means that after the 40 days of purification prescribed by Jewish law following Jesus' birth were over, Mary and Joseph went to the Temple in Jerusalem. There, they fulfilled two key religious obligations: presenting Jesus to the Lord by redeeming him as the firstborn male and offering a sacrifice for Mary's purification. This highlights their adherence to Jewish law and their devotion to God.