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
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