Luke 2 24

Luke 2:24 kjv

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.

Luke 2:24 nkjv

and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Luke 2:24 niv

and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

Luke 2:24 esv

and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

Luke 2:24 nlt

So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord ? "either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 24 Meaning

Luke 2:24 describes Mary and Joseph’s obedient fulfillment of the Mosaic Law in Jerusalem, specifically presenting Jesus at the Temple and offering the sacrifice for a poor family’s purification after childbirth. This act signifies their reverence for God’s commands and underscores their humble economic circumstances, as the designated offering of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons was the allowance for those who could not afford a lamb.

Luke 2 24 Context

Luke 2:24 is embedded within the account of Jesus' early life, specifically following His birth, the angelic announcements, and His circumcision. Verses 22-24 describe Mary and Joseph's pilgrimage to Jerusalem for two crucial reasons prescribed by the Mosaic Law. Firstly, the purification of Mary after childbirth (Lev 12:1-8), which occurred after a specified number of days. Secondly, the dedication and redemption of the firstborn son (Ex 13:2, 12-16; Num 3:13; 18:15-16), though Luke 2:24 primarily focuses on the purification offering. The choice of two turtledoves or young pigeons, as explicitly stated, points to their status as poor and observant Jews. Historically, this act places Jesus firmly within Jewish tradition and obedience to God's Law, highlighting His humble origins as the promised Messiah. The Temple setting underscores the spiritual and religious significance of this pivotal moment in His infancy.

Luke 2 24 Word analysis

• and to offer: (Greek: kai pros-pherai - καὶ προσενεγκεῖν). This phrase indicates purpose and continues the narrative from the parents bringing Jesus to Jerusalem. "Pros-pherai" means "to bring to, to offer," specifically in the context of an offering or sacrifice made at the Temple. It underscores a deliberate and dutiful act of worship.
• a sacrifice: (Greek: thysian - θυσίαν). Refers to a ritual offering or cultic sacrifice, implying a prescribed religious act directed towards God. In this context, it refers to the specific purification offering mandated by the Mosaic Law.
• according to what is said in the Law of the Lord: (Greek: kata to eirēmenon en tō nomō Kyriou - κατὰ τὸ εἰρημένον ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Κυρίου). This emphatic phrase highlights Mary and Joseph's precise and diligent adherence to God’s commands revealed through Moses.
  • said: (Greek: eirēmenon - εἰρημένον). Perfect passive participle of lego, meaning "that which has been spoken," signifying the divine authority and established nature of the command.
  • Law of the Lord: (Greek: nomō Kyriou - νόμῳ Κυρίου). A common phrase in Luke's Gospel (2:22, 2:23, 2:39) that underscores God’s authoritative covenant demands and Jesus’ family's scrupulous obedience to them. "Kyriou" (Lord) typically refers to Yahweh.
• A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons: (Greek: zeugos trygonōn ē duo neouss peristerōn - ζεῦγος τρυγόνων ἢ δύο νοσσοὺς περιστερῶν). This specific type of offering is directly referenced from Leviticus 12:8.
  • turtledoves: (trygonōn) Migratory birds common in ancient Israel, associated with purity and often used in various ritual offerings (e.g., Lev 1:14, 5:7, 14:22).
  • young pigeons: (neouss peristerōn) Literally "fledglings of doves," signifying birds that are very young. This, along with turtledoves, constituted the most humble and affordable offering option for purification rites. This choice definitively signals the economic poverty of Jesus' family, distinguishing their offering from the richer offering of a lamb.

Words-group analysis:

• "and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord": This entire clause demonstrates Mary and Joseph's deep piety and commitment to divine ordinances. Their act of bringing Jesus to the Temple and offering a sacrifice was not merely a cultural tradition but a conscious observance of a God-given command. It establishes the initial setting for Jesus' life as being "under the Law," though He would perfectly fulfill and transcend it.
• "'A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons'": This direct quote/allusion from Leviticus 12:8 is highly significant. It precisely identifies the type of offering made. Critically, it communicates the humble circumstances of Jesus' earthly family. According to Leviticus 12:6, the standard offering for a purification after childbirth was a lamb and a pigeon/turtledove. The "turtledoves or young pigeons" option was only for those who "cannot afford a lamb" (Lev 12:8). Thus, the offering explicitly points to Mary and Joseph’s poverty, foreshadowing Jesus’ life of humility and identification with the poor and marginalized from His very inception. It illustrates that even within His own Law, God made provisions for the less fortunate to fully participate in worship and covenant rituals.

Luke 2 24 Bonus section

The "Law of the Lord" referred to in Luke 2:24 primarily encompassed the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, which contained specific legal codes and ritual instructions for Israel. This purification rite typically took place forty days after the birth of a male child (Lev 12:1-4). Mary's ritual impurity was ceremonial, not moral, and was a common part of ancient Jewish life, requiring purification before full participation in community worship. This presentation in the Temple was not only about purification but also served as the dedication of the firstborn male, reflecting the earlier redemption of Israel’s firstborn during the Exodus. By engaging in this deeply embedded Jewish practice, Luke presents Jesus's family as devout and fully integrated into the life of Israel, highlighting the genuine humanity and Jewishness of Jesus, factors crucial for His messianic identity and mission.

Luke 2 24 Commentary

Luke 2:24 provides a powerful glimpse into the earliest days of Jesus' earthly life, underscoring both His family's devout obedience and their humble standing. By offering the poor man's sacrifice of turtledoves or pigeons, Mary and Joseph faithfully adhered to the specific regulations of the Mosaic Law concerning purification after childbirth. This act publicly integrates Jesus into Israel's covenant, showing that the Son of God, the ultimate fulfiller of the Law, perfectly conformed to its demands from birth. Their humility foreshadows Jesus' entire earthly ministry, which was characterized by identification with the needy, the outcast, and the forgotten. This act not only completes a legal requirement but also beautifully foreshadows Christ's eventual, perfect, and ultimate sacrifice on the cross, which far surpasses any temporary animal offering by eternally atoning for humanity's sins.

Examples for practical usage:

• Humble Obedience: Like Mary and Joseph, believers are called to obey God's will faithfully, even in seemingly small or humble acts, trusting that our faithfulness pleases Him more than grand displays.
• God's Provision: The Law's provision for the poor shows God's compassion and desire for all to be able to approach Him and participate in worship, regardless of economic status.
• Identification with the Lowly: Jesus' birth into humble circumstances and through this "poor man's sacrifice" teaches us that God dignifies and cares for the marginalized, calling us to follow His example of compassion for the needy.