Luke 2:22-52 ▼

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 will be called holy to the Lord|),

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.|

25 And look, 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 requirement of the Law,

28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 |Now you are releasing your servant, Lord, 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 And his father and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,

34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, |Look, 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.|

36 There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Penuel, 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 did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day.

38 Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When they had accomplished all things that were according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong, being filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover.

42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast,

43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.

46 It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions.

47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48 When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, |Son, why have you treated us this way? Look, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.|

49 He said to them, |Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be doing the works of my Father?|

50 They did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people.