Luke 2:21-22
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. And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss here is that Jesus, though divine, willingly submitted to circumcision, a sign of a debt to the entire law. His naming as "Jesus"—"Savior"—at this moment powerfully connects His saving work to His identity under the law, fulfilling God's promises to Abraham.
This passage marks the first ritual observance for the infant Jesus, eight days after his birth, as required by Jewish law. It's a quiet, domestic moment, contrasting with the angelic announcement, and emphasizes Jesus' full humanity as he is brought under the Law. The act of circumcision, a sign of the covenant, also formally bestows the name "Jesus" – meaning "Savior" – that was divinely revealed to Mary and Joseph before his conception.
Why was Jesus named Jesus? It wasn't just a name; it was a proclamation. Discover the profound meaning behind the name given to Mary's son.
The name 'Jesus' isn't just a label; it's a declaration of purpose. The angel Gabriel instructed Mary, "You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). This verse reminds us that this name was decreed even before conception, highlighting God's sovereign plan.
Jesus was born under the Mosaic Law. What did this mean for Him, and what does it reveal about His mission?
Jesus' circumcision on the eighth day wasn't just a cultural practice; it was a profound act of obedience to the Law of Moses. This demonstrates His commitment to fulfilling all righteousness.
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.
katharismou · Greek Noun
The state of ceremonial cleanliness required by the Mosaic Law after childbirth or other legal impurities; it involved ritual washings and sacrifices to restore one's standing for participation in communal worship.
nomos · Greek Noun
Jesus, though divine and not inherently bound by the Law, willingly submitted to circumcision. This act wasn't for His own purification but a profound step to fulfill all righteousness, identify with His people, and begin His mission to redeem those under the Law.
~1400 BC
Circumcision Instituted by God
God establishes circumcision as a sign of His covenant with Abraham and his descendants, a physical mark signifying their identity and relationship with God.
c. 1500 BC - 1st Century AD
Mosaic Law Governs Jewish Life
The Law of Moses, including commandments like circumcision on the eighth day, dictates the religious and social practices of Jewish people for centuries.
c. 1st Century BC
Angel Gabriel's Annunciations
The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and then to Mary, announcing the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, respectively, and naming them.
c. 1 BC - AD 1
Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
Jesus is born to Mary in Bethlehem, an event that marks the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and the Incarnation of God.
This passage directly echoes Luke 2:21 by stating the angel's command to name the child Jesus, emphasizing that 'he will save his people from their sins'.
Galatians 4:4Paul explains that Jesus was 'born under law,' which beautifully connects to the physical act of circumcision in Luke 2:21, showing Jesus' complete identification with humanity under the Law.
Colossians 2:11This passage speaks of a 'circumcision of Christ' made without hands, which contrasts with and yet deeply illuminates the physical circumcision Jesus underwent, pointing to its spiritual significance.
Philippians 2:8The verse highlights Jesus being 'found in human form' and becoming 'obedient to death—even death on a cross.' His willing submission to circumcision, a sign of obligation to the Law, foreshadows his ultimate obedience and redemptive work.
Genesis 17:12This Old Testament passage establishes the requirement for circumcision on the eighth day, providing the legal and covenantal backdrop for Jesus' own submission to this rite as described in Luke 2:21.
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…
What's easy to miss here is that Jesus, though divine, willingly submitted to circumcision, a sign of a debt to the entire law. His naming as "Jesus"—"Savior"—at this moment powerfully connects His saving work to His identity under the law, fulfilling God's promises to Abraham.
This passage marks the first ritual observance for the infant Jesus, eight days after his birth, as required by Jewish law. It's a quiet, domestic moment, contrasting with the angelic announcement, and emphasizes Jesus' full humanity as he is brought under the Law. The act of circumcision, a sign of the covenant, also formally bestows the name "Jesus" – meaning "Savior" – that was divinely revealed to Mary and Joseph before his conception.
This passage marks the first ritual observance for the infant Jesus, eight days after his birth, as required by Jewish law. It's a quiet, domestic moment, contrasting with the angelic announcement, and emphasizes Jesus' full humanity as he is brought under the Law. The act of circumcision, a sign of the covenant, also formally bestows the name "Jesus" – meaning "Savior" – that was divinely revealed to Mary and Joseph before his conception.
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The body of regulations, statutes, and commandments given by God through Moses; it defines the standard of holiness for the covenant people and reveals the necessity of atonement.
c. AD 1— this verse
Jesus is Circumcised and Named
Eight days after His birth, Jesus undergoes circumcision according to Jewish custom, and His divinely appointed name, Jesus, is formally given.
"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. And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up t…" — What's easy to miss here is that Jesus, though divine, willingly submitted to circumcision, a sign of a debt to the entire law. His naming as "Jesus"—"Savior"—at this moment powerfully connects His s…
