Luke 2:38
What does Luke 2:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 2:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 2:38 means
Approaching at that very moment, Anna likewise "gave thanks unto God" for the child. She then "spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem." Anna, empowered by the Spirit, recognized Jesus as the promised Redeemer and joyfully proclaimed His arrival to others who, like her, were waiting for God to deliver Israel. Her witness corroborated Simeon's prophecy, confirming Jesus' identity as the Messiah.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And coming up at that time, she gave praise to God, talking of him to all those who were waiting for the freeing of Jerusalem.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and she, at that hour, having come in, was confessing, likewise, to the Lord, and was speaking concerning him, to all those looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord: and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and she coming up the same hour gave praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem.
Context
This verse describes Anna's encounter, where she thankfully recognizes Jesus and then immediately shares the news with others. It follows her description as a devout prophetess constantly worshipping in the Temple, explaining her presence at the opportune moment. Her proclamation reinforces the messianic significance of Jesus' birth and expands the circle of those who hear the good news beyond just the immediate family and shepherds.
v.37and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.
v.38This passage
v.39And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 1:64
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, blessing God.
- Mark 15:43
there came Joseph of Arimathæa, a councillor of honorable estate, who also himself was looking for the kingdom of God; and he boldly went in unto Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
- Luke 23:51
(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of God:
- Luke 2:25
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
- Luke 24:21
But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass.
- Ephesians 1:3
Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:
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