Luke 2:27
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,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἦλθεν
he came
G2064
ἦλθεν
he came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 27
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματι
the Spirit
G4151
πνεύματι
the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
5 of 27
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερόν·
the temple
G2411
ἱερόν·
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
8 of 27
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίον
the child
G3813
παιδίον
the child
Strong's:
G3813
Word #:
16 of 27
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
17 of 27
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποιῆσαι
to do
G4160
ποιῆσαι
to do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
19 of 27
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
21 of 27
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰθισμένον
the custom
G1480
εἰθισμένον
the custom
Strong's:
G1480
Word #:
23 of 27
to accustom, i.e., (neuter passive participle) customary
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
25 of 27
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
Cross References
Revelation 17:3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.Acts 10:19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.Luke 2:41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.Luke 2:51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.Luke 2:48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
Historical Context
Forty days after birth, Jewish mothers presented purification offerings at the temple (Leviticus 12:2-4). The firstborn male dedication commemorated the Passover's sparing of Israel's firstborn in Egypt. Luke's careful notation of legal observance shows Jesus's family as Torah-observant Jews.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Spirit's guidance of Simeon model sensitivity to divine promptings in our daily lives?
- What does Jesus's submission to Levitical law from infancy teach about His identification with humanity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
He came by the Spirit into the temple (ἦλθεν ἐν τῷ πνεύματι εἰς τὸ ἱερόν, ēlthen en tō pneumati eis to hieron)—The Holy Spirit's direct guidance brought Simeon at the exact moment of Jesus's presentation. The Greek construction en tō pneumati indicates movement under the Spirit's control, demonstrating sovereign orchestration.
To do for him after the custom of the law (τοῦ ποιῆσαι κατὰ τὸ εἰθισμένον τοῦ νόμου, tou poiēsai kata to eithismenon tou nomou)—Mary and Joseph's obedience to Leviticus 12:2-8 for purification and firstborn consecration (Exodus 13:2) demonstrates Jesus born 'under the law' (Galatians 4:4). The Lawgiver Himself submits to the law's requirements, identifying fully with His people's obligations.