Luke 2 23

Luke 2:23 kjv

(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

Luke 2:23 nkjv

(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"),

Luke 2:23 niv

(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"),

Luke 2:23 esv

(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")

Luke 2:23 nlt

The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD."

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 23 Meaning

Luke 2:23 presents a direct scriptural reference outlining the Jewish law regarding the consecration of the firstborn male child to God. This verse clarifies the religious obligation prompting Mary and Joseph to present Jesus in the Temple, affirming their obedience to the Law of Moses. It signifies that Jesus, as the firstborn son of Mary, was designated as holy and set apart for the Lord from birth, reflecting an ancient commandment given to Israel after their deliverance from Egypt.

Luke 2 23 Context

Luke 2:23 is nestled within the narrative of Jesus' infancy, specifically detailing His presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem. Following Mary's purification period (Lev 12:1-8) and the commandment regarding the firstborn (Exod 13:2, 12-13), Joseph and Mary dutifully bring Jesus to fulfill these Mosaic laws. This act emphasizes that Jesus, born as a human, fully entered into the existing covenant community of Israel and adhered to its divine statutes through His parents' obedience. Historically, this ceremony marked a significant moment in the life of a Jewish firstborn male, dedicating him to God, often requiring a redemption price for priestly service. Luke highlights this detail to show Jesus' Jewish identity and the pious adherence of His parents to the traditions established in the Torah, countering any perception that Jesus' divine nature exempts Him from the prescribed ordinances of His people.

Luke 2 23 Word analysis

• As: The Greek "kathōs" indicates a conformity or correspondence to what follows, emphasizing that their actions were "just as" commanded. This word establishes the event's basis in existing divine decree.
• it is written: The Greek "gegraptai" is a perfect passive indicative, conveying that "it stands written," denoting a completed action with enduring effect. It is a standard authoritative biblical formula for quoting or referring to sacred Scripture, emphasizing the divine and permanent authority of the quoted text.
• in the Law: The Greek "en nomō" refers to the Torah, the Mosaic Law. It signifies that the instructions were part of God's revealed will to Israel. This highlights the Jewish legal and religious context for Jesus' upbringing.
• of the Lord: The Greek "Kyriou" points to God Himself as the source and authority behind the Law. This distinguishes the divine command from mere human tradition, underscoring its ultimate origin.
• 'Every: The Greek "Pan" means "all" or "every," indicating the universality of the commandment's application to its specified group.
• male: The Greek "arsen" specifies the gender. The Law of the Firstborn uniquely applied to sons, signifying their cultural and religious importance as continuators of the family line and recipients of inheritance.
• who first opens: The Greek "dianoigon" describes the act of initiating birth, specifically the first offspring to physically open the mother's womb. This clarifies that the law applied only to the very first child born to a mother, distinguishing them from subsequent children.
• the womb: The Greek "mētraphan" refers to the physical uterus. It highlights the natural biological process of birth, which marked the firstborn male's consecration.
• shall be called: The Greek "klēthēsetai" is a future passive indicative. This doesn't merely mean "named," but rather "declared" or "recognized as" possessing a certain status. It indicates a future designation or formal acknowledgment.
• holy: The Greek "hagion" means "set apart," "sacred," or "consecrated." It implies separation for God's exclusive ownership and special purpose. It speaks to a dedicated status rather than immediate moral perfection.
• to the Lord': The Greek "tō Kyriō" clarifies that the setting apart, the holiness, is specifically directed "unto the Lord," designating God as the recipient and owner of that consecrated status. This phrase confirms divine ownership and the exclusive claim God had on these firstborn.

Words-group analysis:

• "As it is written in the Law of the Lord": This phrase underlines divine authority and fulfillment. Luke, a meticulous historian, presents Jesus' early life in strict alignment with God's established commands in the Old Testament. This validates Jesus' messianic credentials by showing his life was interwoven with sacred texts, fulfilling prophecy and legal stipulations.
• "'Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord'": This full quotation or paraphrase identifies the specific Mosaic ordinance being observed. It encapsulates the core principle of God's claim over the firstborn of Israel, a principle rooted in the Exodus and Passover narrative (Exod 12-13), where God spared the firstborn of Israel and claimed them as His own. For Jesus, this carries a double meaning: not only consecrated by law, but also inherently and uniquely "the Holy One of God."

Luke 2 23 Bonus section

• Theological Significance of "Holy": While the immediate context refers to ceremonial holiness, for Jesus, being "called holy to the Lord" foreshadows His inherent, moral, and divine holiness. He is not merely ceremonially dedicated, but uniquely the consecrated one, set apart for the Father's ultimate redemptive plan. This points beyond a ritualistic act to His very being.
• Connection to Passover: The original commandment concerning the firstborn is deeply tied to the Passover deliverance from Egypt (Exod 12-13). God claimed the firstborn as His own due to their miraculous preservation from the plague. This historical anchor signifies God's powerful acts of salvation, foreshadowing Jesus as the Lamb of God whose sacrifice provides true freedom and consecrates believers.
• Anticipation of Redemption: Though firstborn sons were often redeemed, Jesus' unique "holiness to the Lord" ultimately fulfills this concept through His sacrificial death. He perfectly lives out what it means to be fully dedicated and ultimately becomes the one who redeems all who trust in Him, perfectly fulfilling the spirit of the Law.

Luke 2 23 Commentary

Luke 2:23 elucidates the legal and theological foundation for Jesus' presentation in the Temple, establishing His parents' piety and Jesus' rootedness within Israel's covenant heritage. The phrase "As it is written in the Law of the Lord" firmly links Jesus' life events to Old Testament prophecies and commands, presenting Him not as an arbitrary figure but as one whose every step fulfills divine purpose. The specific law, claiming "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord," stems from God's salvific act during the Passover, where He spared Israel's firstborn, thus asserting His unique ownership over them. While normally, firstborn sons were "redeemed" by a payment or by the substitution of Levites, Jesus embodies the ultimate "Holy One" set apart for the Lord, whose life would ultimately serve as the true redemption for humanity. His parents' faithful observance underscores His full humanity and identification with His people under the Law, even as His divine nature set Him apart.