Luke 2 27

Luke 2:27 kjv

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Luke 2:27 nkjv

So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,

Luke 2:27 niv

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,

Luke 2:27 esv

And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

Luke 2:27 nlt

That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required,

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 27 Meaning

Luke 2:27 describes Simeon, a devout man, entering the Temple precisely as Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to fulfill the requirements of the Mosaic Law. This divinely orchestrated encounter highlights the obedience of Jesus' parents to God's commands and prepares the scene for Simeon's prophetic declaration, all guided by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 2 27 Context

Luke 2:27 is part of the broader narrative of Jesus' infancy, specifically focusing on His presentation at the Temple and the prophetic encounters surrounding it. The preceding verses (Luke 2:22-24) establish Mary and Joseph's obedience in fulfilling two primary Mosaic Law requirements: the purification of Mary after childbirth (Lev 12:1-8) and the redemption/consecration of the firstborn male (Exod 13:2, Num 18:15-16). This act of adherence places Jesus squarely within the covenant community of Israel from His earliest days. Simeon is introduced just prior in Luke 2:25-26 as a righteous and devout man, guided by the Holy Spirit, who has been promised that he would see the Messiah before his death. The historical context is first-century Judaism under Roman rule, where the Temple in Jerusalem was the heart of religious life and national identity, and expectations of a Messiah were prevalent and diverse.

Luke 2 27 Word analysis

• And he came: Greek: Kai elthōn (καὶ ἐλθὼν). "He" refers to Simeon (Luke 2:25). The conjunction "And" indicates a sequential or coincidental event, highlighting divine timing in Simeon's appearance. His arrival is purposefully aligned.

• by the Spirit: Greek: en tō Pneumati (ἐν τῷ Πνεύματι). This crucial phrase denotes powerful and direct divine leading and enablement by the Holy Spirit. It indicates a supernatural impulse rather than human intention or happenstance. This theme of Spirit-guidance is central in Luke's Gospel and Acts.

• into the temple: Greek: eis to hieron (εἰς τὸ ἱερόν). The hieron designates the entire Temple complex in Jerusalem, including the courts and buildings, distinct from the naos (the sanctuary proper). This specific ceremony would likely occur in the Court of Women, which was accessible for such rituals.

• and when the parents: Greek: kai en tō eisagagein tous goneis. "Parents" clearly identifies Mary and Joseph, affirming their rightful role and shared responsibility in raising Jesus. Luke consistently presents them as Jesus' parents (Luke 2:41, 43, 48).

• brought in: Greek: eisagagein (εἰσαγαγεῖν). This verb means "to lead in" or "bring in." It signifies a deliberate and formal act of presentation for religious observance within the Temple context.

• the child Jesus: Greek: to paidion Iēsoun (τὸ παιδίον Ἰησοῦν). Paidion refers to a young child, here an infant roughly 40 days old based on the timing of purification rites (Lev 12). This underscores Jesus' full humanity and tender vulnerability, despite His divine nature.

• to do for him: Greek: tou poiēsai autous hyper autou. This phrase clarifies that Mary and Joseph are performing the necessary legal rites on behalf of Jesus. Being an infant, Jesus could not fulfill these requirements Himself; His parents acted as His legal representatives under the Mosaic Law.

• after the custom: Greek: to eithismenon (τὸ εἰθισμένον). This means "that which was customary" or "established practice." It refers to the well-known and expected religious observances dictated by the Law for Israelites.

• of the law: Greek: tou nomou (τοῦ νόμου). This refers specifically to the Mosaic Law. In this context, it collectively covers the requirements for the mother's purification (Lev 12:1-8) and the dedication/redemption of the firstborn male (Exod 13:2, Num 3:13, 18:15-16).

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And he came by the Spirit into the temple": This phrase strongly emphasizes divine orchestration. Simeon's arrival at this specific moment is not coincidental but a direct act of the Holy Spirit. It highlights God's active involvement in aligning circumstances for the fulfillment of His promises and His strategic intervention in human events. This foreshadows the Spirit's future role in Jesus' ministry and the early Church.
  • "and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law": This demonstrates Mary and Joseph's faithful obedience to God's commandments given through Moses. By observing these customs, they officially situated Jesus within the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. This act portrays Jesus as fully human and "born under the Law" (Gal 4:4), setting the precedent for His later life of perfect adherence to and fulfillment of the Law's demands. This ensures His identification with the Jewish people and their sacred traditions.

Luke 2 27 Bonus section

• The meticulous adherence of Mary and Joseph to the Law concerning purification and redemption of the firstborn male signifies the sinless Son of God being "born under the Law" (Gal 4:4). This establishes His solidarity with humanity and enables Him to fully identify with the Law's requirements and eventually fulfill them (Matt 5:17).
• Simeon's guidance by the Spirit contrasts with mere ritualistic formalism. His spiritual sensitivity allowed him to recognize the divine moment and the true nature of the infant, serving as a model of faithful expectation and readiness for God's activity in the world.
• This meeting in the Temple aligns with prophetic expectations of the Messiah's coming to His house (Hag 2:7; Mal 3:1). Although this significant event was unannounced to the general public, it was witnessed and celebrated by Spirit-led individuals like Simeon, signifying God's work in His remnant.

Luke 2 27 Commentary

Luke 2:27 is a pivotal verse, orchestrating a divine appointment that bridges the Old Covenant's expectations with the New Covenant's reality. Simeon, driven by the Holy Spirit, enters the Temple just as Mary and Joseph diligently bring the infant Jesus to fulfill the traditional requirements of Jewish law—purification and the presentation of the firstborn. This act of parental obedience underscored Jesus' legitimate place within the Jewish covenant and tradition, showcasing His full humanity and future role in perfectly upholding the Law. The precise timing and the Holy Spirit's active guidance confirm this meeting as a providentially ordered encounter, setting the stage for Simeon's profound recognition of the infant Messiah and his prophetic utterances, which unveiled the universal salvation Jesus would bring. This highlights that even for the Son of God, the path involved humble submission to God's established commands.