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)
This passage reveals a profound tenderness in God’s Law: it makes allowances for the poor. While a lamb was the standard offering for purification, the Law graciously permitted two turtledoves or pigeons for those who couldn’t afford it, a direct indicator of Jesus' humble beginnings.
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 and circumcision, Mary and Joseph bring him to the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and complete her purification ritual. The sacrifice they offer, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, indicates their humble financial status, as this was the provision for those who couldn't afford the more expensive lamb sacrifice. This act demonstrates their faithful obedience to the Mosaic Law, even as they embrace the extraordinary reality of their son's identity.
Why would Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus, offer such a humble sacrifice? It wasn't a lack of love or devotion, but a testament to their circumstances.
The Law of the Lord, as outlined in Leviticus, set specific offerings for purification after childbirth. The standard offering for a mother was a yearling lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or dove for a sin offering. However, God, in His tender mercy, made provision for those who couldn't afford a lamb.
Mary and Joseph's choice of turtledoves or young pigeons clearly indicated their poverty. They were offering what they could afford, not what they ideally would have presented. This highlights Jesus' entry into a world of humble beginnings.
Even though Jesus was the Holy One, He and His mother still submitted to the religious laws. What does this teach us about God's design?
While Mary was immaculately conceived and Jesus was the Son of God, they were not exempt from the requirements of the Mosaic Law. This act of purification and presentation in the Temple was crucial for several reasons:
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Understand the original words
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.
This verse highlights a specific provision in the Mosaic Law allowing a poorer offering for purification, indicating that Mary and Joseph were likely of humble means, a state that Jesus himself would later embrace and sanctify.
c. 1446-1406 BC
The Law of Moses is Given
The Torah is given to the Israelites through Moses, including detailed laws for sacrifices and purification rituals, such as those found in Leviticus 12.
c. 1000 BC
Temple Construction Begins
King David plans for and begins collecting resources for the First Temple in Jerusalem, which would become the central site for worship and sacrifice.
c. 960 BC
First Temple Completed
Solomon completes the First Temple, establishing it as the primary location for all Jewish sacrificial rites, including the purification offering required of mothers.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
Following the return from Babylonian exile, the Second Temple is completed in Jerusalem, continuing the sacrificial system established by the Law.
c. 20 BC - 10 AD— this verse
Jesus' Birth and Infancy
Jesus is born in Bethlehem. His parents, Joseph and Mary, likely live in Nazareth. They would later travel to Jerusalem for religious observances.
c. 26-36 AD
Pontius Pilate Governs Judea
Pontius Pilate serves as the Roman prefect of Judea, a period during which Jerusalem and its Temple function under Roman authority.
This is the specific Old Testament passage that Luke is referencing, outlining the offering of two turtledoves or two young pigeons as an option for poorer women after childbirth.
Malachi 3:1This prophecy speaks of the Lord suddenly coming to His temple, which parallels the presentation of Jesus in the Temple as described in Luke 2. The Lord Himself is being presented.
Matthew 3:15Jesus states to John the Baptist, 'Let it be so now; for it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' This echoes the principle behind Mary and Joseph's humble offering in Luke 2 – fulfilling all righteousness and obedience to the Law, even in poverty.
1 Peter 2:22This verse highlights Jesus' sinlessness, which makes the offering of a sin sacrifice for Him in Luke 2 a powerful demonstration of His humility and obedience to the Law, rather than a necessity for His own cleansing.
cambridgeLuke 2:24: "And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
24 . A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons ] The offering appointed was a yearling lamb for a burnt-offering, and a young pigeon or turtledove for a sin-offering, which were to be brought to the door of the tabernacle and with which “the priest made an atonement for her and she shall be clean.” But the Law of Moses, with that thoughtful tenderness whic…
ellicottLuke 2:24: "And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
(24) A pair of turtle doves. —The law of Leviticus 12:8 allowed these to be substituted for the normal sacrifice of a lamb as a burnt-offering, and a pigeon or dove as a sin-offering, when the mother was “not able” to offer the former. We may see, therefore, in this fact, another indication of the poverty of Joseph and his espoused wife. The offering had, li…
This passage reveals a profound tenderness in God’s Law: it makes allowances for the poor. While a lamb was the standard offering for purification, the Law graciously permitted two turtledoves or pigeons for those who couldn’t afford it, a direct indicator of Jesus' humble beginnings.
After Jesus' birth and circumcision, Mary and Joseph bring him to the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and complete her purification ritual. The sacrifice they offer, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, indicates their humble financial status, as this was the provision for those who couldn't afford the more expensive lamb sacrifice. This act demonstrates their faithful obedience to the Mosaic Law, even as they embrace the extraordinary reality of their son's identity.
After Jesus' birth and circumcision, Mary and Joseph bring him to the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and complete her purification ritual. The sacrifice they offer, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, indicates their humble financial status, as this was the provision for those who couldn't afford the more expensive lamb sacrifice. This act demonstrates their faithful obedience to the Mosaic Law, even as they embrace the extraordinary reality of their son's identity.
"and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”" — This passage reveals a profound tenderness in God’s Law: it makes allowances for the poor. While a lamb was the standard offering for purification, the Law graciously permitted two turtledoves or pig…
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Last reviewed October 2026