Devine Scripture

Luke 2:21

What does Luke 2:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 2:21 means

Eight days after His birth, Jesus was circumcised according to Jewish law, just as Abraham and his descendants had been for generations as a sign of the covenant. At this time, He was formally given the name JESUS, which means "the Lord saves." This name had been designated by the angel Gabriel before His conception, signifying His divine mission to be the long-awaited Savior, who would deliver His people from their sins.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when, after eight days, the time came for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given to him before his birth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, then was his name called Jesus, having been so called by the messenger before his being conceived in the womb.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he had been conceived in the womb.

Context

This verse marks the first legal ceremony for Jesus, His circumcision and naming. It follows the narrative of the birth and the shepherds' witness, shifting to the prescribed religious practices surrounding a newborn Jewish boy. This act identifies Jesus with the Abrahamic covenant and formally gives Him the name that signifies His saving purpose, as revealed by the angel.

v.20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

v.21This passage

v.22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 3:15

    But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.

  • Luke 1:31

    And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

  • Philippians 2:8

    and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.

  • Matthew 1:25

    and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.

  • Genesis 17:12

    And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner that is not of thy seed.

  • Luke 1:59

    And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

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