Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 2:21-24

Our Lord Jesus, being made of a woman, was made under the law, Gal. 4:4. He was not only, as the son of a daughter of Adam, made under the law of nature, but as the son of a daughter of Abraham was made under the law of Moses; he put his neck under that yoke, though it was a heavy yoke, and a shadow of good things to come. Though its institutions were beggarly elements, and rudiments of this world, as the apostle calls them, Christ submitted to it, that he might with the better grace cancel... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 2:21-24

2:21-24 When the eight days necessarily prior to circumcision had elapsed, he was called by the name of Jesus, the name by which he had been called by the angel before he had been conceived in the womb. When the time which, according to the law of Moses, must precede the ceremony of purification had elapsed, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (in accordance with the regulation in the Lord's law, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:21

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child ,.... According to the original institution of circumcision, Genesis 17:12 and which was strictly observed by religious persons, as by the parents of our Lord here, and by those of John the Baptist, Luke 1:59 Hence the Apostle Paul reckons this among his privileges, that he could have boasted of as well as other Jews; see Gill on Philemon 3:5 . But it may be asked, why was Christ circumcised, since he had no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:22

And when the days of purification ,.... Of the Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord; though most copies read, "of their purification"; and so read the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions, including both Mary and Jesus: and now, though Mary was not polluted by the conception, bearing, and bringing forth of Jesus, that holy thing born of her; yet inasmuch as she was in the account of the law clean; and though Jesus had no impurity in his nature, yet seeing he was made sin for his people, both... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:23

As it is written in the law of the Lord ,.... In Exodus 13:2 . every male that openeth the womb, shall be called holy to the Lord; that is, devoted and consecrated to him, and so to be redeemed. The reason of this law was this, when God smote all the firstborn of Egypt, he saved the firstborn of Israel; and therefore claimed a right to them, and obliged their parents, excepting the Levites, to redeem them at the price of five shekels, which were about twelve shillings and six pence of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:24

And to offer a sacrifice ,.... That is, when the time of purification came, the parents of our Lord brought him from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, to present him in the temple to the Lord as his, and to redeem him; and not only so, but to offer the sacrifice required of child-bed women: according to that which is said in the law of the Lord , Leviticus 12:8 . a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons : if the person was able, she was to bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:21

When eight days were accomplished - The law had appointed that every male should be circumcised at eight days old, or on the eighth day after its birth, Genesis 17:12 ; and our blessed Lord received circumcision in token of his subjection to the law, Galatians 4:4 ; Galatians 5:3 . His name was called Jesus - See on Matthew 1:21 ; (note) and John 1:29 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:22

Days of her purification - That is, thirty-three days after what was termed the seven days of her uncleanness - forty days in all: for that was the time appointed by the law, after the birth of a male child. See Leviticus 12:2 , Leviticus 12:6 . The MSS. and versions differ much in the pronoun in this place: some reading αυτης , Her purification; others αυτου , His purification; others αυτων , Their purification; and others αυτοιν , the purification of Them Both. Two versions... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:24

And to offer a sacrifice - Neither mother nor child was considered as in the Lord's covenant, or under the Divine protection, till these ceremonies, prescribed by the law, had been performed. A pair of turtle doves, etc. - One was for a burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering: see Leviticus 12:8 . The rich were required to bring a lamb, but the poor and middling classes were required to bring either two turtle doves, or two pigeons. This is a proof that the holy family were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:21

Verse 21 21.That the child might be circumcised As to circumcision in general, the reader may consult the Book of Genesis, (Genesis 17:10.) At present, it will be sufficient to state briefly what applies to the person of Christ. God appointed that his Son should be circumcised, in order to subject him to the law; for circumcision was a solemn rite, by which the Jews were initiated into the observance of the law. (171) Paul explains the design, (172) when he says, that Christ was “made under... read more

Group of Brands