Luke 2:21
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse quietly reveals that Jesus, from his very first physical marker under the Law, was already functioning as the promised Savior, even before he was conceived. His name, bestowed by divine command before his earthly existence, directly points to his saving mission, which he immediately began to fulfill by submitting to circumcision. This act signifies his willing embrace of the entire Law, not for himself, but to redeem those bound by it.
Luke's narrative places Jesus' circumcision and naming on the eighth day after his birth, a ritual act signifying his submission to the Mosaic Law. This event, briefly mentioned here, immediately follows the shepherds' visit and the angelic announcement, grounding the miraculous birth in the religious traditions of Israel and directly linking the child's identity to the divine commission given to Mary and Joseph.
Why was Jesus given this specific name? It wasn't just a random choice. This name carried immense weight and purpose from the very beginning.
The name 'Jesus' is a Hebrew name, Yeshua, meaning 'Yahweh saves' or 'Yahweh is salvation.'
A Name Announced Before Birth
Luke makes it clear that this name was given by divine instruction before Jesus was even conceived in Mary's womb (Luke 1:31). The angel Gabriel explicitly told Joseph, 'You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). This isn't just a label; it's a declaration of His mission.
The Mission Embedded in the Name
Jesus' entire life and ministry were a fulfillment of the promise inherent in His name. He came to save. His actions, His teachings, His sacrifice – all point to this singular purpose: to bring salvation.
Jesus, the Son of God, was born under the Mosaic Law. Why did He need to submit to rituals like circumcision, and what does this teach us?
Circumcision was a significant Old Testament rite, a sign of the covenant between God and His people. It marked a male child as belonging to God's chosen nation and obligated him to keep the entirety of God's law.
Submitting to the Law
Even though Jesus was uniquely conceived by the Holy Spirit and sinless, He was 'made under the law.' This submission, including circumcision on the eighth day as prescribed, demonstrated His perfect obedience. It wasn't because He needed cleansing, but to identify fully with humanity and to fulfill all righteousness.
A Pattern for Our Lives
Jesus' obedience to the Law, even in its physical rituals, sets a pattern. While we are now under the new covenant through Christ's sacrifice, and the physical rite of circumcision is replaced by baptism (a spiritual circumcision of the heart), Jesus' example calls us to a deeper obedience and commitment to God's will.
Understand the original words
perietemōn · Greek Verb
The physical act mandated by God in the Old Testament as a sign of the covenant between God and the people of Israel; it symbolizes the cutting away of sin and consecration to the Lord.
Iēsous · Greek Noun
A personal name meaning 'the Lord saves,' given by divine command to the Son of God, signifying His mission to deliver His people from their sins.
Jesus' circumcision, though a legal requirement for Jewish males, was performed by Him to fulfill all righteousness, signaling His submission to the Law He came to uphold and ultimately redeem.
c. 2000 BC
God Establishes Circumcision Covenant
God commands Abraham to circumcise all males as a sign of the covenant between God and his descendants.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites are delivered from slavery in Egypt, and the Law, including the requirement of circumcision, is given at Mount Sinai.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many citizens and scattering them, highlighting the consequences of disobedience to the Law.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining Jews and emphasizing the Law's importance even in exile.
c. 20 BC - 1 BC
This passage directly echoes Luke 2:21 by explaining the angel's command to name the child Jesus, emphasizing that his name means 'savior' and foreshadows his purpose.
Galatians 4:4-5Paul's words here explain the theological significance of Jesus being 'born under the law,' directly linking to why he underwent circumcision as described in Luke 2:21, to redeem those under the law.
Genesis 17:12This Old Testament passage establishes the command for circumcision on the eighth day, providing the legal and covenantal backdrop for the ceremony Jesus underwent as recounted in Luke 2:21.
Colossians 2:11This verse contrasts physical circumcision with the spiritual circumcision of Christ, highlighting how Jesus' own physical circumcision, as mentioned in Luke 2:21, pointed towards a deeper, internal transformation.
Matthew 3:15Jesus' statement to John the Baptist about fulfilling all righteousness sheds light on why he submitted to circumcision, as recorded in Luke 2:21, even though he was without sin.
bensonLuke 2:21: "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."
Luke 2:21 . And when eight days were accomplished — That is, not when the eighth day was ended, but when it was come: for the circumcising of the child — A ceremony which the law of Moses required to be performed on every male child at that age, and to which Christ was made subject, that he might wear the badge of a…
clarkeLuke 2:21: "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."
When eight days were accomplished - The law had appointed that every male should be circumcised at eight days old, or on the eighth day after its birth, Genesis 17:12 ; and our blessed Lord received circumcision in token of his subjection to the law, Galatians 4:4 ; Galatians 5:3 . His name was called Jesus - See on…
This verse quietly reveals that Jesus, from his very first physical marker under the Law, was already functioning as the promised Savior, even before he was conceived. His name, bestowed by divine command before his earthly existence, directly points to his saving mission, which he immediately began to fulfill by submitting to circumcision. This act signifies his willing embrace of the entire Law, not for himself, but to redeem those bound by it.
Luke's narrative places Jesus' circumcision and naming on the eighth day after his birth, a ritual act signifying his submission to the Mosaic Law. This event, briefly mentioned here, immediately follows the shepherds' visit and the angelic announcement, grounding the miraculous birth in the religious traditions of Israel and directly linking the child's identity to the divine commission given to Mary and Joseph.
Luke's narrative places Jesus' circumcision and naming on the eighth day after his birth, a ritual act signifying his submission to the Mosaic Law. This event, briefly mentioned here, immediately follows the shepherds' visit and the angelic announcement, grounding the miraculous birth in the religious traditions of Israel and directly linking the child's identity to the divine commission given to Mary and Joseph.
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Birth of Jesus
Jesus is born in Bethlehem to Mary, who is a virgin betrothed to Joseph, an event preceded by angelic announcements.
c. AD 1— this verse
Circumcision and Naming of Jesus
Following the Jewish custom, Jesus is circumcised on the eighth day after his birth and given the name Jesus, as divinely instructed.
"And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." — This verse quietly reveals that Jesus, from his very first physical marker under the Law, was already functioning as the promised Savior, even before he was conceived. His name, bestowed by divine co…
