In this section Jesus is shown to be the promised Messiah.
Luke 2:21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 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 23 as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”, (Exodus 13:2,12), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” (Leviticus 12:8)
Although Luke does not quote the entire Leviticus 12:8 passage, the entire verse in context again emphasizes the fact that the God of Creation chose to be born into poverty by pointing out that Mary and Joseph could not afford a lamb. If she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons: the one for a burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering.
While in the temple two prophets recognize and announce Jesus as the one who brings redemption, not only to Israel but also as a light for revelation to the nations.
Luke 2:25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
The Holy Spirit had revealed to the prophet Simeon that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. When Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus into the temple, Simeon, in the Spirit, announced that Jesus was the child which God had prepared to bring salvation, not only to Israel, but also to the nations of the world, just as God had promised through the Covenant of the Promise, Ephesians 2:12 which God had foretold to Adam, Genesis 3:15 Noah, Genesis 9:9, Abraham, Genesis 12:3, Moses, Exodus 19:5-6, David, 2 Samuel 7:16 and the prophets, for example, Jeremiah 31:31-3.
What do you think of when God speaks of blessing?
The angel Gabriel had called Mary, blessed… among women. And she was blessed to be chosen to give birth to the Savior of all mankind. But notice what Simeon says in his blessing:
Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign, which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Foretelling the response to Christ’s teaching, Simeon says that Christ will bring division. As Luke will go on to explain throughout his book, the established religious leaders will reject Christ because he threatens their power and privilege, however, the poor and powerless will come to Christ because He offers them freedom from condemnation. And the result of the religious leaders rejection of Christ will be His crucifixion. Seeing her son murdered as a common criminal will pierce Mary’s soul.
Luke 2:36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
Upon seeing the Christ child, Anna, a prophetess who lived at the temple for over eighty years awaiting the coming of the Messiah, gave thanks to God when she saw Jesus. And unable to contain her joy she then told everyone that Christ would bring redemption to Israel.