Luke 2:38
And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Anna's public proclamation wasn't just a fleeting announcement, but a continuation of her devoted prayer life, stepping forward at that very moment to testify about Jesus. Her actions highlight how deep spiritual devotion naturally overflows into sharing the hope found in Christ with those who are also seeking Him.
Moments after Simeon has prophesied over the infant Jesus, Anna, an elderly prophetess, also encounters the child and his parents at the Temple. She immediately begins to give thanks to God and enthusiastically tells everyone nearby who is also eagerly awaiting the promised redemption of Jerusalem about this child. This scene unfolds in the Temple during a time when many devout people were present, looking for God's promised salvation.
Imagine the scene: the Temple courts buzzing with people, not just for daily worship, but for a deeper, expectant hope. Anna doesn't just randomly find an audience; she steps into a moment charged with anticipation.
The context of Luke 2:38 is crucial. The Temple in Jerusalem wasn't merely a building; it was the spiritual epicenter of Israel. It was where the promises of God were remembered and where many, like Simeon and Anna, yearned for their fulfillment.
A Place of Waiting
When Anna 'came in' and began to speak, she wasn't interrupting a quiet moment. She was stepping into a space where people were already attuned to divine promises, looking for 'the redemption of Jerusalem.'
The moment Simeon finishes his prophecy, Anna doesn't hesitate. She erupts in praise and immediately shares the good news. What drives this urgent witness?
The Greek word translated as 'coming in' (epistasa) suggests a sudden appearance or stepping forward. Coupled with 'at that very hour,' it highlights the immediacy of Anna's response.
From Praise to Proclamation
This wasn't a slow, cautious sharing. It was an immediate, Spirit-led outpouring of joy and testimony, demonstrating that the encounter with Jesus ignites an unstoppable desire to share Him.
Understand the original words
lytrōsis · Greek Noun
The deliverance of God’s people from bondage, sin, or judgment. In the Old Testament, it refers to deliverance from physical captivity; in the New Testament, it refers to the spiritual liberation through Christ.
Anna's immediate proclamation of Jesus as the awaited Redeemer, occurring within the Temple precincts, highlights the deep-seated yearning for divine deliverance among the faithful Jews in Jerusalem during this pivotal time.
c. 5 BC - 4 BC
Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
Jesus is born in Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod the Great, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's birthplace.
c. 4 BC
Herod the Great Dies
The death of Herod the Great leads to a period of instability and division of the kingdom among his sons, creating a turbulent political climate.
c. AD 26
Pontius Pilate Becomes Prefect
Pontius Pilate assumes the role of Roman prefect in Judea, overseeing a province often marked by unrest and friction between Roman rule and Jewish expectations.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry of teaching, healing, and proclaiming the 'kingdom of God,' sparking hope and controversy throughout Judea and Galilee.
c. AD 30-33
This verse describes Simeon also looking for 'redemption' in Jerusalem, highlighting that Anna was part of a community actively anticipating God's salvation.
Isaiah 40:2This Old Testament passage speaks of preparing the way for the 'redemption of Jerusalem,' a concept Anna is actively proclaiming in the New Testament.
Acts 1:8Jesus promises His followers will be His witnesses, a role Anna embodies by immediately speaking about Jesus to those waiting for redemption.
1 Corinthians 1:7-8This passage speaks of believers waiting for Christ's return, mirroring the expectation of those in Jerusalem who were looking for their redemption through Him.
jfbLuke 2:38: "And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
- coming in—"presenting herself." She had been there already but now is found "standing by," as Simeon's testimony to the blessed Babe died away, ready to take it up "in turn" (as the word rendered "likewise" here means).to all them, &c.—the sense is, "to all them in Jerusalem that were looking for redemption"—saying in effect, In that Babe are…
meyerLuke 2:38: "And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
Luke 2:38 . Αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ] in which occurred the previously described scene with Simeon. ἐπιστᾶσα ] having made her appearance , namely, to speak. Comp. Aeschin. p. 65, 5; Xen. Anab. v. 8. 9, Sympos. ii. 7. The suddenness and unexpectedness in the demeanour of the aged widow is implied also here (comp. on Luke 2:9 ) in the context. On ἀνθομολογεῖσθ…
Anna's public proclamation wasn't just a fleeting announcement, but a continuation of her devoted prayer life, stepping forward at that very moment to testify about Jesus. Her actions highlight how deep spiritual devotion naturally overflows into sharing the hope found in Christ with those who are also seeking Him.
Moments after Simeon has prophesied over the infant Jesus, Anna, an elderly prophetess, also encounters the child and his parents at the Temple. She immediately begins to give thanks to God and enthusiastically tells everyone nearby who is also eagerly awaiting the promised redemption of Jerusalem about this child. This scene unfolds in the Temple during a time when many devout people were present, looking for God's promised salvation.
Moments after Simeon has prophesied over the infant Jesus, Anna, an elderly prophetess, also encounters the child and his parents at the Temple. She immediately begins to give thanks to God and enthusiastically tells everyone nearby who is also eagerly awaiting the promised redemption of Jerusalem about this child. This scene unfolds in the Temple during a time when many devout people were present, looking for God's promised salvation.
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What did 'redemption of Jerusalem' truly mean to those waiting? Anna's testimony connects Jesus directly to this deep longing.
The phrase 'redemption of Jerusalem' (lutrosis Ierousalem) was more than just political liberation. It encompassed a multifaceted hope:
Anna, by speaking of Jesus to those waiting for this redemption, identifies Him as the answer. He is not just a deliverer, but the Deliverer who brings the true, comprehensive redemption they longed for, fulfilling both spiritual and national hopes.
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem and, according to Christian belief, resurrected three days later, marking the pivotal event of Christian faith.
c. AD 33— this verse
Anna Speaks of Jesus in the Temple
The prophetess Anna, after witnessing Simeon present the infant Jesus in the Temple, gives thanks and speaks to those in Jerusalem who are eagerly awaiting the redemption of their city.
"And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem." — Anna's public proclamation wasn't just a fleeting announcement, but a continuation of her devoted prayer life, stepping forward at that very moment to testify about Jesus. Her actions highlight how d…
