Luke 2 38

Luke 2:38 kjv

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 nkjv

And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Luke 2:38 niv

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:38 esv

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.

Luke 2:38 nlt

She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 38 Meaning

Luke 2:38 describes Anna, a devout prophetess, immediately responding to the presence of the infant Jesus in the Temple. In that very moment, she recognized Him as the long-awaited Messiah, praised God for His arrival, and then shared the good news about Him with all those in Jerusalem who, like her, were faithfully anticipating God's promised deliverance for Israel.

Luke 2 38 Context

Luke 2:38 is the concluding part of Anna the prophetess's brief but profound appearance in the Temple narrative. It directly follows Simeon's prophetic declaration over the infant Jesus, presenting a second, independent witness to the Messiah's identity. The chapter opens with the decree for a census leading to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the angelic announcement to the shepherds, and Jesus' circumcision. It then moves to His presentation at the Temple according to Mosaic law (Lev 12). Within this Temple setting, God divinely orchestrates the recognition of Jesus by Simeon and Anna, two righteous and devout individuals representing faithful Israel. They had been "waiting for the consolation of Israel" or "redemption in Jerusalem," reflecting a widespread expectation among pious Jews for the Messiah who would deliver them from spiritual and political bondage and fulfill God's ancient promises. Anna's immediate and public response validates the significance of the child's arrival within this rich historical and religious framework of Messianic hope in Jerusalem.

Luke 2 38 Word analysis

• And: Links Anna's action directly to Simeon's encounter and the divine unfolding of events, suggesting divine orchestration rather than mere coincidence.
• coming in that instant (ἐφίστημι - ephistēmi, ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ - en autē tē hōra): "Stood by/appeared in that very hour." Emphasizes the immediate, divinely appointed nature of her arrival. Her presence was precise and timely, a moment of divine synchronicity after Simeon's prophecy. It denotes suddenness and intentionality.
• she: Refers to Anna, the prophetess described in Luke 2:36-37 as a very old, devout widow who served God with fasting and prayer in the Temple. Her venerable age and spiritual discipline add significant weight to her testimony.
• gave thanks (ἀνθομολογέομαι - anthomologéomai): More than simple "thanks," this term implies a full and open confession, an acknowledgement, or "returning praise in response." It signifies a heartfelt and public act of worship, expressing profound gratitude for the fulfillment of God's promise.
• to the Lord (τῷ Κυρίῳ - tō Kyriō): This refers to God Himself, indicating that her gratitude and praise were directed toward the Sovereign One who had brought about this promised redemption through the child Jesus.
• and spoke (ἐλάλει - elalei): The imperfect tense suggests a continuous or repeated action, meaning she began to speak and kept on speaking, making this a prolonged and active proclamation. It was not a single, hushed remark.
• of Him (περὶ αὐτοῦ - peri autou): "Concerning Him," clearly designating the infant Jesus as the subject of her ongoing proclamation. Her focus was specifically on the child she had just encountered.
• to all those who looked for redemption (προσδεχομένους λύτρωσιν - prosdechomenous lytrōsin): "To those eagerly expecting deliverance/ransom." This refers to a specific group within Jerusalem: the devout, faithful remnant of Israel who were deeply conversant with prophetic scriptures and longed for the Messiah to deliver their nation. Prosdechomenous conveys an eager, hopeful anticipation. Lytrōsis signifies salvation, deliverance, and liberation, encompassing spiritual freedom from sin and its effects, beyond mere political emancipation.
• in Jerusalem (ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ - en Ierousalēm): Specifies the locale where this waiting remnant resided and where the long-awaited divine fulfillment had just been revealed. Jerusalem was the spiritual heart of the Jewish nation, a fitting place for the proclamation of their Messiah.

Words-group analysis:

• "coming in that instant she gave thanks": This phrase underlines divine synchronicity and an immediate, profound recognition. Anna's divinely orchestrated arrival and instant response highlight the self-attesting truth of Jesus' identity. It's a spontaneous outpouring of praise triggered by revelation.
• "gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him": This connection shows that personal worship and thanksgiving to God naturally flow into public proclamation of Jesus. Her deep spiritual experience led to active evangelism. It demonstrates a foundational pattern: recognizing God's work leads to praising Him and then sharing what He has done.
• "to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem": This phrase identifies Anna's audience as a specific, prepared group. It signifies that the message of the Messiah's arrival was initially directed toward those with spiritual discernment and Messianic hope, a "remnant" who longed for God's promised salvation beyond temporal political relief.

Luke 2 38 Bonus section

• Anna serves as a significant prophetic figure, bridging the Old Testament prophetic tradition with the dawn of the New Covenant. Her recognition of Jesus underscores His identity as the culmination of Old Testament prophecy.
• Her actions are a prototype for early Christian evangelism: recognition of Christ leads to praise, which then leads to telling others. This pattern is fundamental to discipleship.
• The emphasis on "redemption in Jerusalem" suggests a dual layer of meaning: not only a spiritual liberation from sin but also the restoration of God's covenant relationship with Israel, centered in Jerusalem. It speaks to God's faithfulness to His promises concerning His chosen people.
• Anna's role alongside Simeon shows that God uses both men and women, of different ages and backgrounds, to bear witness to His saving work, valuing devotion and spiritual discernment above all else.

Luke 2 38 Commentary

Anna's actions in Luke 2:38 provide a powerful and essential affirmation to Simeon's prophecy, underscoring the universal significance of the Messiah's arrival. As a revered prophetess, her long life of faithful service and prayer lent credibility to her witness. Her immediate "coming in that instant" points to God's precise timing and the urgency of recognizing the promised Christ. Her response, transitioning from deeply personal "thanks to the Lord" to the continuous "spoke of Him," beautifully illustrates the journey from profound worship to zealous proclamation. Anna didn't keep this monumental revelation to herself; she shared it specifically with "all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem." This shows that there was a faithful remnant within Israel eagerly awaiting God's promised deliverance, and that the Good News was to be announced to those with eyes to see and ears to hear, fostering a community of Messianic hope. Her actions demonstrate that the encounter with Christ compels both heartfelt adoration and active evangelism to a waiting world.