While the verse mentions "her purification," the ancient texts actually suggest "their purification" was the more accurate reading, subtly highlighting Mary's obedience to the Law even though, as Jesus' mother, she was free from the very impurity the ritual addressed. This act, alongside presenting Jesus, shows their profound respect for God's commands and foreshadows Jesus fulfilling the Law for all of us.
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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and the visit of the shepherds, Mary and Joseph are now fulfilling two key Mosaic laws: the mother's purification and the presentation of the firstborn son. The purification ceremony, lasting forty days for a boy, recognized a ritual uncleanness after childbirth, and the presentation marked the firstborn male as belonging to the Lord, a practice rooted in the Exodus. Joseph and Mary, though likely of royal lineage, demonstrated humility and obedience by observing these laws, even offering a poor person's sacrifice of two doves.
Why would the perfect Son of God and His sinless mother undergo a purification ritual tied to childbirth and its supposed impurity?
The Law of Moses had specific requirements for mothers after childbirth, a period designed to acknowledge the 'taint' of sin inherited by all humanity. For a male child, this involved forty days of separation and specific sacrifices for the mother.
Even though Mary conceived Jesus miraculously and was sinless, and Jesus Himself was without sin, they submitted to this law. This wasn't because they were impure, but as a profound act of obedience.
Beyond Mary's purification, there was another crucial reason for this trip to Jerusalem. What did it mean for a firstborn son to be 'presented to the Lord'?
The Law of Moses declared that every firstborn male child was 'holy to the Lord' (Exodus 13:2). This meant the firstborn son was uniquely dedicated to God's service, set apart for a sacred role.
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Originally, this implied a priestly function within the family. While the tribe of Levi was later chosen for direct temple service, the principle of dedication remained.
The sacrifices offered during this event reveal more than just religious observance; they speak volumes about Jesus' family.
The Law prescribed different sacrifices for purification. Those who could afford it offered a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon or dove for a sin offering. However, for those who were poor, two doves or pigeons were acceptable (Leviticus 12:6-8).
Luke notes that Mary offered 'a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.' This specific offering strongly indicates that Joseph and Mary were of modest means.
Understand the original words
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
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.
hagios · Greek Adjective
Set apart exclusively for God’s service and presence; it denotes a state of moral purity and dedication to the divine will.
thysian · Greek Noun
The killing of an animal to satisfy the requirements of justice, provide atonement for sin, or express thanksgiving and dedication to God; it points ultimately to the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
c. 1445 BC
The Law of Moses Given
God gives the Law to Moses, including regulations for purification after childbirth (Leviticus 12) and the consecration of the firstborn male child to the Lord (Exodus 13).
c. 1075 BC
Levites Set Apart for Service
God chooses the tribe of Levi to serve Him in the sanctuary, in place of all the firstborn sons of Israel. However, the presentation of the firstborn remained a significant ritual.
c. 1000 BC
David Establishes Jerusalem
King David captures Jerusalem and makes it the capital of Israel, establishing it as the central place for worship and national identity. The Temple would later be built there by Solomon.
c. 30 AD
Birth of Jesus
Jesus is born in Bethlehem during the reign of Emperor Augustus. This event is the prelude to the purification and presentation rituals described in the Gospel.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Purification and Presentation of Jesus
Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Jerusalem Temple about 40 days after His birth to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses for purification and the presentation of a firstborn son.
This passage establishes the law that every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord, directly explaining the purpose behind presenting Jesus at the temple.
Leviticus 12:6This Levitical law details the purification offerings required of a mother after childbirth, highlighting the specific sacrifice Mary offered as a sign of obedience despite Jesus' miraculous conception.
Numbers 18:15-16These verses explain the redemption price for the firstborn, providing context for the practice of redeeming a firstborn son, even after the Levites were set apart for service.
Galatians 4:4-5This New Testament passage directly references Jesus being 'born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law,' showing how Jesus' submission to this purification law was part of His redemptive mission.
Hebrews 12:23This verse speaks of the 'church of the firstborn,' expanding the concept of firstborn status to all believers and showing how Jesus' presentation as the ultimate Firstborn fulfills this spiritual reality.
barnesLuke 2:22: "And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;"
Days of her purification - Among the Hebrews a mother was required to remain at home for about forty days after the birth of a male child and about eighty for a female, and during that time she was reckoned as impure - that is, she was not permitted to go to the temple or to engage in religious services with the congregation, Leviticus 12…
cambridgeLuke 2:22: "And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;"
22–24. The Presentation in the Temple 22 . her purification ] Rather, their purification . The reading αὐτῆς , ‘her’, of the Received Text is almost unsupported. All the Uncials read αὐτῶν , ‘their,’ except D, which probably by an oversight reads αὐτοῦ , ‘His.’ Strictly speaking, the child was never purified, but only the mother. The puri…
While the verse mentions "her purification," the ancient texts actually suggest "their purification" was the more accurate reading, subtly highlighting Mary's obedience to the Law even though, as Jesus' mother, she was free from the very impurity the ritual addressed. This act, alongside presenting Jesus, shows their profound respect for God's commands and foreshadows Jesus fulfilling the Law for all of us.
After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and the visit of the shepherds, Mary and Joseph are now fulfilling two key Mosaic laws: the mother's purification and the presentation of the firstborn son. The purification ceremony, lasting forty days for a boy, recognized a ritual uncleanness after childbirth, and the presentation marked the firstborn male as belonging to the Lord, a practice rooted in the Exodus. Joseph and Mary, though likely of royal lineage, demonstrated humility and obedience by observing these laws, even offering a poor person's sacrifice of two doves.
After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and the visit of the shepherds, Mary and Joseph are now fulfilling two key Mosaic laws: the mother's purification and the presentation of the firstborn son. The purification ceremony, lasting forty days for a boy, recognized a ritual uncleanness after childbirth, and the presentation marked the firstborn male as belonging to the Lord, a practice rooted in the Exodus. Joseph and Mary, though likely of royal lineage, demonstrated humility and obedience by observing these laws, even offering a poor person's sacrifice of two doves.
"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 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to…" — While the verse mentions "her purification," the ancient texts actually suggest "their purification" was the more accurate reading, subtly highlighting Mary's obedience to the Law even though, as Jes…
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Last reviewed October 2026
