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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:38

Verse 38 38.Made acknowledgment also to God (206) The holy melody, which proceeded from the lips of Simeon and Anna, is praised by Luke, in order that believers may exhort each other to sing with one mouth the praises of God, and may give mutual replies. When he says, that Anna spake of him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem, he again points out the small number of the godly. For the substance of faith lay in this expectation; and it is evident, that there were few who actually... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:21-38

The circumcision and presentation in the temple. I. THE CIRCUMCISION . With regard to the circumcision, observe: 1 . The Son of God is not only "made of a woman," he is " made under the Law ." He is entered into all the requirements and circumstances of the covenant "with Abraham and his seed." The apostle tells us why—"to redeem them that were under the Law." Christ took the bond under which Israel was bound, and became Israel's Surety for it. Now it is ended. There is a new... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:21-40

Circumcision and presentation of the Child Jesus . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:21-40

The circumcision and presentation of Jesus. We pass now from the angel's sermon and the shepherds' faithful verification of it to the next notable events in the great life which embodies the gospel for mankind. And we have here— I. THE CIRCUMCISION . ( Luke 2:21 .) This was the admission of Jesus when only eight days old into the Old Testament Church. It was a painful, bloody process, and as such it was the beginning of that life of suffering upon which God's Son had determined... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:36

There was one Anna, a prophetess . The name of this holy woman is the same as that of the mother of Samuel. It is not necessary to assume that this Anna had the gift of foretelling future events. She was, at all events, a preacher. These saintly, gifted women, though never numerous, were not unknown in the story of the chosen people. We read of the doings—in some cases the very words are preserved—of Miriam, Hannah, Deborah, Huldah, and others. Of the tribe of Aser . It is true that at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:36-38

The testimony of womanhood. From this interesting episode, without which the beautiful story of the infant Savior in the temple would hardly be complete, we learn— I. THAT THERE IS ROOM IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST FOR THE SERVICE OF WOMAN - HOOD . It was well that the aged Simeon should bear his testimony to the birth of the Savior; it was also well that this aged and honorable prophetess should "likewise give thanks." Woman as well as man was to utter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:37

Which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day . Probably, in virtue of her reputation as a prophetess, some small chamber in the temple was assigned to her. This seems to have been the case with Huldah ( 2 Chronicles 34:22 ). It has also been suggested that she lovingly performed some work in or about the sacred building. Farrar suggests such as trimming the lamps (as is the rabbinic notion about Deborah), derived from the word lapidoth ,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:36

Of the tribe of Aser - The tribe of Aser, or Asher, dwelt in the northern part of the land of Canaan. Why Anna was called a prophetess is not known. It might be because she had been the wife of a prophet, or because she was employed in celebrating the praises of God (compare 1 Chronicles 25:1-2, 1 Chronicles 25:4; 1 Samuel 10:5), or because she herself had foretold future events, being inspired. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:37

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years - That is, she was about 84 years of age. It does not mean that she had been a widow for that long time.Fastings and prayers - Constant religious service. pending her time in prayer, and in all the ordinances of religion.Night and day - Continually - that is, at the usual times of public worship and in private. When it is said that she departed not from the temple, it is meant that she was “constant” and “regular” in all the public services... read more

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