Luke 2:39 - When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Luke 2:39" mean?
Luke 2:39 describes the return of Mary and Joseph, with the infant Jesus, to their home in Nazareth after fulfilling their religious obligations in Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord..." This refers to the religious duties prescribed by Jewish Law that new parents were required to fulfill after the birth of a son. Specifically, this includes:
Circumcision (Luke 2:21): Performing the ritual circumcision on Jesus eight days after his birth.
Purification of the Mother (Leviticus 12): A period of ritual uncleanness for the mother after childbirth, followed by an offering at the Temple. This was generally 40 days after the birth of a son.
Presentation of the Firstborn (Exodus 13:2, 12-15; Numbers 18:15-16; Luke 2:22-24): The redemption of the firstborn son at the Temple with an offering. This recognized that all firstborn sons belonged to God but could be redeemed with a sacrifice. The offering given (a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons) suggests Mary and Joseph were of modest means.
"...they returned into Galilee..." Galilee was the northern region of Israel where Nazareth was located.
"...to their own city, Nazareth." Nazareth was their hometown and the place where they lived before the birth of Jesus (as recorded earlier in Luke's Gospel).
In essence, the verse means: After Mary and Joseph completed all the necessary religious rituals required by Jewish law after the birth of Jesus, they traveled back to their home in Nazareth, Galilee.
Significance:
Fulfillment of the Law: The verse emphasizes that Mary and Joseph were obedient to Jewish law. This is a recurring theme in the Gospels, demonstrating Jesus's upbringing within a religious context.
Return to Obscurity: They returned to their humble life in Nazareth, away from the religious center of Jerusalem. This contrasts with the dramatic events surrounding Jesus's birth and underscores the idea that Jesus's ministry would unfold in a less conspicuous way, initially.
Normalcy: The verse presents the Holy Family returning to a seemingly ordinary life. This highlights the paradox of the Incarnation: the divine Christ living a normal human existence.
Geographical Context: This verse provides a crucial geographical marker, solidifying Nazareth as Jesus's hometown and setting the stage for his later ministry in Galilee.
Luke 2:39 - When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
What does "Luke 2:39" mean?
Luke 2:39 describes the return of Mary and Joseph, with the infant Jesus, to their home in Nazareth after fulfilling their religious obligations in Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"When they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord..." This refers to the religious duties prescribed by Jewish Law that new parents were required to fulfill after the birth of a son. Specifically, this includes:
Circumcision (Luke 2:21): Performing the ritual circumcision on Jesus eight days after his birth.
Purification of the Mother (Leviticus 12): A period of ritual uncleanness for the mother after childbirth, followed by an offering at the Temple. This was generally 40 days after the birth of a son.
Presentation of the Firstborn (Exodus 13:2, 12-15; Numbers 18:15-16; Luke 2:22-24): The redemption of the firstborn son at the Temple with an offering. This recognized that all firstborn sons belonged to God but could be redeemed with a sacrifice. The offering given (a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons) suggests Mary and Joseph were of modest means.
"...they returned into Galilee..." Galilee was the northern region of Israel where Nazareth was located.
"...to their own city, Nazareth." Nazareth was their hometown and the place where they lived before the birth of Jesus (as recorded earlier in Luke's Gospel).
In essence, the verse means: After Mary and Joseph completed all the necessary religious rituals required by Jewish law after the birth of Jesus, they traveled back to their home in Nazareth, Galilee.
Significance:
Fulfillment of the Law: The verse emphasizes that Mary and Joseph were obedient to Jewish law. This is a recurring theme in the Gospels, demonstrating Jesus's upbringing within a religious context.
Return to Obscurity: They returned to their humble life in Nazareth, away from the religious center of Jerusalem. This contrasts with the dramatic events surrounding Jesus's birth and underscores the idea that Jesus's ministry would unfold in a less conspicuous way, initially.
Normalcy: The verse presents the Holy Family returning to a seemingly ordinary life. This highlights the paradox of the Incarnation: the divine Christ living a normal human existence.
Geographical Context: This verse provides a crucial geographical marker, solidifying Nazareth as Jesus's hometown and setting the stage for his later ministry in Galilee.