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LU KE 3
told everyone what had happened and what
the angel had said to them about this child.
18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in
her heart and thought about them often. 20 The
shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying
and praising God for all they had heard and
seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him
by the angel even before he was conceived.
22 Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the
birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of
the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy,
he must be dedicated to the Lord.”* 24 So they
offered the sacrifice required in the law of the
Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young
pigeons.”*
The Prophecy of Simeon
25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem
named Simeon. He was righteous and devout
and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come
and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him
26 and had revealed to him that he would not die
until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 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, 28 Simeon was
there. He took the child in his arms and praised
God, saying,
29
30
31
32
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die
in peace,
as you have promised.
I have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
33 Jesus’
parents were amazed at what was
being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed
them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother,
“This child is destined to cause many in Israel
to fall, and many others to rise. He has been
sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose
him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many
hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce
your very soul.”
The Prophecy of Anna
36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple.
She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe
of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband
died when they had been married only seven
years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age
of eighty-four.* She never left the Temple but
stayed there day and night, worshiping God
with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just
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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.
39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned
home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child
grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with
wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
Jesus Speaks with the Teachers
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for
the Passover festival. 42 When Jesus was twelve
years old, they attended the festival as usual.
43 After the celebration was over, they started
home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in
Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first,
44 because they assumed he was among the
other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that
evening, they started looking for him among
their relatives and friends.
45 When they couldn’t find him, they went
back to Jerusalem to search for him there.
46 Three days later they finally discovered him in
the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 His parents didn’t know what to think.
“Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you
done this to us? Your father and I have been
frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
49 “But why did you need to search?” he
asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my
Father’s house?”* 50 But they didn’t understand
what he meant.
51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them
and was obedient to them. And his mother
stored all these things in her heart.
52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in
favor with God and all the people.
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
It was now the fifteenth year of the reign
of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius
Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas
was ruler* over Galilee; his brother Philip was
ruler* over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was
ruler over Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were
the high priests. At this time a message from
God came to John son of Zechariah, who was
living in the wilderness. 3 Then John went from
place to place on both sides of the Jordan River,
preaching that people should be baptized to
show that they had repented of their sins and
turned to God to be forgiven. 4 Isaiah had spoken
of John when he said,
3
2:23 Exod 13:2. 2:24 Lev 12:8. 2:37 Or She had been a
widow for eighty-four years. 2:49 Or “Didn’t you realize that
I should be involved with my Father’s affairs?” 3:1a Greek
Herod was tetrarch. Herod Antipas was a son of King Herod.
3:1b Greek tetrarch; also in 3:1c.