Luke 2:39 kjv
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
Luke 2:39 nkjv
So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
Luke 2:39 niv
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
Luke 2:39 esv
And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
Luke 2:39 nlt
When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.
Luke 2 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 12:2-4 | "If a woman... bear a male child, then she shall be unclean... and on the eighth day... shall be circumcised... she shall continue in the blood of her purifying thirty-three days." | Law for purification after male birth. |
| Lev 12:6-8 | "And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled... she shall bring a lamb... for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon... for a sin offering." | Specific sacrifices for purification. |
| Ex 13:2 | "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel..." | Consecration of the firstborn to the Lord. |
| Num 3:13 | "For all the firstborn are mine... On the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified unto me all the firstborn in Israel..." | Lord's claim on firstborn. |
| Num 18:15-16 | "Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh... thou shalt surely redeem... and the redemption thereof..." | Laws regarding redemption price of firstborn. |
| Deut 6:4-9 | "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord... these words... shall be upon thine heart." | Emphasis on obeying and teaching God's Law. |
| Luke 1:6 | "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." | Example of devout parents (Zechariah & Elizabeth). |
| Luke 2:21 | "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus..." | Immediate context: Circumcision. |
| Luke 2:22-24 | "And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem..." | Immediate context: Fulfillment of purification law. |
| Gal 4:4 | "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law," | Jesus' submission to the Law's requirements. |
| Matt 2:23 | "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." | Prophecy connection to Nazareth. |
| John 1:46 | "And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" | Illustrates the low reputation of Nazareth. |
| Isa 9:1-2 | "Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation... the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the nations." | Prophetic significance of Galilee as light's origin. |
| Matt 4:13-16 | "And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum... That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet..." | Jesus establishing ministry in Galilee. |
| Luke 2:40 | "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." | Immediate follow-up: Jesus' early development. |
| Luke 2:51 | "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them..." | Later return to Nazareth and submission. |
| Heb 5:8 | "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;" | Jesus' path of learning and obedience. |
| Phil 2:7-8 | "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant... and became obedient unto death..." | Jesus' humility and obedience in His earthly life. |
| Heb 2:17 | "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren..." | Jesus' full humanity and conformity. |
| 1 Sam 2:26 | "And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men." | Parallel example of growth in favor. |
| Prov 16:9 | "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps." | God's sovereign guidance in life's journeys. |
| Acts 17:26 | "And hath made of one blood all nations... and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;" | God's specific placement of individuals. |
Luke 2 verses
Luke 2 39 Meaning
This verse signifies the completion of the required post-birth rituals for Jesus and His parents, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law, demonstrating their deep piety and meticulous adherence to God's commandments. It marks their obedient transition from Jerusalem back to their established home in Nazareth of Galilee, an event that sets the stage for Jesus' early life, growth, and the fulfillment of God's unfolding plan.
Luke 2 39 Context
Luke chapter 2 details the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth, including the journey to Bethlehem for the census (Luke 2:1-7), the angelic announcement to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20), His circumcision and naming (Luke 2:21), and then His presentation in the Temple for purification rites (Luke 2:22-38). This verse, Luke 2:39, serves as the conclusion to the Jerusalem events, describing Mary and Joseph's obedient fulfillment of all required laws before returning to their home city. It bridges the extraordinary events of Jesus' birth with His seemingly ordinary, yet divinely purposed, early life in Nazareth, setting the stage for His childhood and youth before His public ministry.
Luke 2 39 Word analysis
- And when they had performed
- "And when they had performed": The Greek word for "performed" is teleō (τελέω), meaning to complete, accomplish, fulfill, or carry out. It denotes a comprehensive and thorough execution of tasks. Here, it refers to Mary and Joseph meticulously fulfilling every required ritual. "They" refers to Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph. This highlights their personal commitment and responsibility.
- all things
- "all things": This phrase emphasizes the complete and utter adherence to the legal requirements, not just selective obedience. It points to their dedication to God's ordinances without omission.
- according to the law
- "according to the law" (nomos, νόμος): This specifically refers to the Mosaic Law given to Israel. This law encompassed various ordinances, including those concerning the purification of a mother after childbirth (Lev 12:1-8) and the presentation or redemption of the firstborn male child (Ex 13:2, Num 3:13, 18:15-16). Their actions show profound reverence for divine instructions.
- of the Lord
- "of the Lord" (Kyrios, Κύριος): This clarifies that the "law" is not merely human tradition, but the divine, authoritative mandate from God Himself. It underscores that their obedience was directed toward God.
- they returned
- "they returned": This verb marks the end of their significant journey to Bethlehem and Jerusalem for Jesus' birth and the subsequent legal rites. It implies a settled departure from Jerusalem.
- into Galilee
- "into Galilee" (Galilaia, Γαλιλαία): This region was geographically distinct from Judea and was often viewed with some disdain by the religious elite in Jerusalem, sometimes referred to as "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Isa 9:1) due to its mixed population. Its selection as Jesus' home is significant, prefiguring His ministry primarily among the common people and fulfilling prophecy.
- to their own city Nazareth
- "to their own city": This signifies Nazareth as their established place of residence, indicating Mary and Joseph were not merely transient but rooted in this specific location.
- "Nazareth" (Nazaret, Ναζαρέτ): A small, obscure, and generally undistinguished town in lower Galilee, holding little to no social or religious prestige in Judean eyes (John 1:46). Its selection as Jesus' boyhood home emphasizes His humble beginnings and unexpectedly becomes integral to prophecies concerning His identity (Matt 2:23).
Luke 2 39 Bonus section
- The meticulous legal observance of Mary and Joseph reinforces Jesus' Jewish identity and upbringing within the traditions of Israel. It shows that He came from Israel and lived under its Law, not in disregard of it.
- Luke, as an orderly historian (Luke 1:3), often provides specific details about places and actions, grounding the theological narrative in historical reality.
- The mention of Nazareth as their "own city" emphasizes their established roots, further contributing to the historical veracity and ordinary life circumstances chosen for the Son of God.
- This verse provides a crucial link between the events of Jesus' infancy (circumcision, presentation, prophecies from Simeon and Anna) and the subsequent description of His childhood growth in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:40). It completes the ceremonial duties before focusing on the natural development.
Luke 2 39 Commentary
Luke 2:39 provides a concise yet profound conclusion to the narrative of Jesus' infancy in Jerusalem. It meticulously records the pious obedience of Mary and Joseph to every facet of God's Law concerning childbirth and the firstborn, a testament to their devout faith and an affirmation of Jesus' Jewish heritage. This meticulous adherence to seemingly mundane legal rites for the Son of God underscores His full humanity and His identification with His people under the Law, before embarking on His mission to fulfill and ultimately supersede it. Their return to Nazareth, a humble and unremarkable Galilean town, sets the ordinary backdrop for the upbringing of the extraordinary Son of God, beautifully illustrating God's consistent pattern of choosing the lowly and unassuming to accomplish His grand purposes. The verse silently bridges the divine pronouncements of Jerusalem with the silent preparation of God Incarnate in Nazareth, readying Him for His redemptive mission.