Luke 2:38

KJV

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} she {G3778}{G846} coming in {G2186} that {G846} instant {G5610} gave thanks likewise {G437} unto the Lord {G2962}, and {G2532} spake {G2980} of {G4012} him {G846} to all {G3956} them that looked {G4327} for redemption {G3085} in {G1722} Jerusalem {G2419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She came by at that moment and began thanking God and speaking about the child to everyone who was waiting for Yerushalayim to be liberated.

Berean Standard Bible

Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

And 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:38 vividly portrays the prophetess Anna's Spirit-led recognition of the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Upon encountering the Holy Family in the Temple, she immediately responded with profound thanksgiving to God, then became an early evangelist, proclaiming the good news of the Christ child to all those in Jerusalem who, like her, earnestly anticipated the promised redemption of Israel. This verse underscores divine timing, spiritual discernment, and the imperative to share the revelation of God's salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 2:38 concludes the dual narrative of Jesus' presentation at the Temple, following directly from the account of Anna the prophetess in [Luke 2:36-37](/luke/2-36-37 "Luke 2:36-37 - Anna the Prophetess"). This passage is strategically placed after Simeon's prophetic declaration and blessing in [Luke 2:25-35](/luke/2-25-35 "Luke 2:25-35 - Simeon's Prophecy"). Both Simeon and Anna, devout elderly figures, serve as divinely appointed witnesses who, by the Holy Spirit, recognize the infant Jesus as the promised Savior, validating His identity to the faithful remnant in Israel. Their testimonies provide a powerful, Spirit-confirmed affirmation of Jesus' messianic identity, bridging the Old Testament anticipation with the New Testament fulfillment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Temple in Jerusalem, the spiritual heart of Judaism, where devout Jews like Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna would regularly worship and fulfill religious obligations. The practice of presenting a firstborn son and offering sacrifices for purification (as described in [Leviticus 12](/leviticus/12 "Leviticus 12 - Laws of Purification")) was a deeply ingrained cultural and religious norm. The phrase "looked for redemption in Jerusalem" highlights a significant segment of Jewish society at the time—those who, burdened by Roman occupation and centuries of prophetic silence, eagerly awaited the Messiah's coming to deliver Israel, often interpreting "redemption" in nationalistic and political terms as much as spiritual. Anna's constant presence in the Temple through fasting and prayer reflects a common practice of intense piety among those who yearned for God's intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. It strongly emphasizes **Divine Timing and Providence**, as Anna's arrival "in that instant" is clearly orchestrated by God to coincide with Jesus' presentation, ensuring multiple Spirit-led affirmations of His identity. The theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment** is central, as Anna, a prophetess, recognizes the long-awaited Messiah, echoing the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. Her response of "thanksgiving and worship" highlights the appropriate human response to God's saving work, a theme prevalent throughout Luke's narrative, particularly in the Magnificat of Mary ([Luke 1:46-55](/luke/1-46-55 "Luke 1:46-55 - Mary's Song of Praise")) and the Benedictus of Zechariah ([Luke 1:68-79](/luke/1-68-79 "Luke 1:68-79 - Zechariah's Prophecy")). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Proclamation and Witness**, as Anna immediately shares the news of the Messiah with others, foreshadowing the broader mission of the disciples to spread the good news of salvation, as mandated in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **coming in (Greek, _ephístēmi'_):** From G2186, meaning "to stand upon, i.e. be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal); --assault, come (in, to, unto, upon), be at hand (instant), present, stand (before, by, over)." This word emphasizes the sudden, divinely orchestrated nature of Anna's arrival. She was "at hand" or "present" at the precise moment, suggesting a providential encounter rather than a mere coincidence. It highlights the immediacy and divine timing of her appearance.
* **gave thanks likewise (Greek, _anthomologéomai'_):** From G437, meaning "to confess in turn, i.e. respond in praise." This term signifies a reciprocal confession or a responsive act of praise. Anna's thanksgiving is not a casual utterance but a profound, Spirit-prompted acknowledgment and praise of God for the fulfillment of His promises, mirroring Simeon's earlier praise and confirming the divine significance of the child. It suggests a deep, heartfelt declaration of gratitude.
* **redemption (Greek, _lýtrōsis'_):** From G3085, meaning "a ransoming (figuratively):--+ redeemed, redemption." This word carries the powerful imagery of liberation achieved through the payment of a price. While the Jewish people might have primarily understood this in terms of national deliverance from Roman oppression, in the context of Jesus, it points to a spiritual deliverance from sin and its consequences. It encapsulates the comprehensive salvation and freedom Jesus would provide through His life, death, and resurrection, moving beyond mere political liberation to a profound spiritual and eternal deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she coming in that instant":** This phrase emphasizes the immediate and divinely appointed timing of Anna's arrival. The Greek word for "instant" (G5610, _hṓra'_) can mean "hour" or "season," but here, combined with "coming in" (_ephístēmi'_), it denotes a precise, opportune moment. Anna's appearance is not random but a part of God's perfect plan to provide another witness to Jesus' identity, reinforcing the significance of the event.
* **"gave thanks likewise unto the Lord":** Anna's immediate response upon seeing Jesus was profound gratitude and praise, echoing Simeon's earlier thanksgiving. The word "likewise" (G437, _anthomologéomai'_) indicates that her response paralleled Simeon's, confirming the shared spiritual discernment of these two devout individuals. This thanksgiving was directed "unto the Lord" (G2962, _kýrios'_), acknowledging God as the source of this miraculous fulfillment of His promises.
* **"and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem":** Anna did not keep this revelation to herself. She became an early herald, speaking (G2980, _laléō'_) "of him" (Jesus) to a specific audience: "all them that looked for redemption" (G4327, _prosdéchomai'_, meaning "to await with confidence or patience," and G3085, _lýtrōsis'_) "in Jerusalem" (G2419, _Hierousalḗm'_). This refers to the faithful remnant within Israel who, through generations of waiting and studying the prophecies, earnestly anticipated the Messiah's coming to deliver them from spiritual and political bondage. Anna's action foreshadows the church's mission to proclaim the good news of Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this verse to enhance its impact. **Divine Timing** is paramount, underscored by Anna's arrival "in that instant," suggesting a providential orchestration of events. This moment serves as a powerful **Affirmation** of Jesus' messianic identity, as two respected prophetic figures, Simeon and Anna, independently recognize Him. The phrase "all them that looked for redemption" uses **Synecdoche**, where "Jerusalem" stands for the faithful remnant within the city, symbolizing the collective hope of Israel. Anna's immediate transition from worship to proclamation illustrates **Juxtaposition**, highlighting that true spiritual encounter leads to both internal praise and external witness. Her action also serves as **Foreshadowing** for the future mission of the disciples and the early church to spread the news of Christ's salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 2:38 powerfully connects the Old Testament anticipation of a deliverer with the New Testament reality of Jesus as the Messiah. Anna's recognition and proclamation underscore God's faithfulness in fulfilling His ancient promises, particularly to a devout remnant who patiently awaited His salvation. Her response of thanksgiving and immediate witness establishes a pattern for believers: genuine encounter with Christ leads to worship and a compelled desire to share that transformative news. The "redemption" she spoke of, while perhaps initially understood by her audience in nationalistic terms, points forward to the comprehensive spiritual liberation from sin that Jesus would accomplish through His atoning work, a redemption far grander than any political deliverance.

* [Isaiah 40:9](/isaiah/40-9 "Isaiah 40:9 - Proclaim Good News to Jerusalem")
* [Micah 4:7](/micah/4-7 "Micah 4:7 - The Lord Will Reign in Zion")
* [Titus 2:13-14](/titus/2-13-14 "Titus 2:13-14 - Our Blessed Hope and Redemption")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Anna's story in Luke 2:38 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Her lifelong devotion, characterized by fasting and prayer in the Temple, cultivated a spiritual sensitivity that enabled her to recognize the Messiah even in His infancy. This challenges us to cultivate a similar spirit of patient expectation and spiritual attentiveness, recognizing that God is always at work, often in unexpected ways or seemingly ordinary circumstances. Just as Anna was prepared to receive and understand the divine revelation, we too are called to live lives of spiritual readiness, open to discerning God's presence and activity in our daily lives and in the world around us. Furthermore, Anna's immediate shift from thanksgiving to proclamation serves as a powerful model for evangelism. Having encountered the Lord, she could not remain silent but felt compelled to share the good news with others who shared a similar longing for spiritual truth and deliverance. Our personal encounters with Christ should similarly compel us to share His transformative power with those in our spheres of influence who are also, perhaps unknowingly, "looking for redemption."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What practices in your life help cultivate a spirit of patient expectation and spiritual discernment, enabling you to recognize God's work?**
* **How does Anna's immediate response of thanksgiving inspire your own worship and gratitude when you experience God's faithfulness?**
* **In what ways can you, like Anna, actively share the good news of Christ with those around you who may be "looking for redemption"?**

### FAQ

**Who was Anna, and why is her testimony significant?**

Answer: Anna was a prophetess, described in [Luke 2:36-37](/luke/2-36-37 "Luke 2:36-37 - Anna's Devotion") as an elderly widow of 84, who served God continually in the Temple with fasting and prayer. Her testimony is significant because, like Simeon, she was a Spirit-filled individual whose lifelong devotion positioned her to recognize the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Her immediate thanksgiving and subsequent proclamation to others validated Jesus' identity through prophetic discernment, serving as a divinely appointed witness to the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Her life exemplifies faithful waiting and spiritual readiness.

**What does "redemption" mean in this context, and how did the people understand it?**

Answer: The Greek word for "redemption" here is _lytrōsis_ (G3085), which literally means "a ransoming" or "liberation effected by payment of a price." For the Jewish people of that time, "redemption" often carried a strong nationalistic and political connotation, referring to deliverance from Roman oppression and the restoration of Israel's sovereignty under a messianic king, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign"). While this earthly hope was present, Anna's proclamation of Jesus as the source of "redemption" ultimately points to a far deeper, spiritual deliverance from sin and its consequences, a theme that Jesus' ministry would fully reveal and accomplish through His atoning death and resurrection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:38 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself being the very embodiment of the "redemption" that Anna and the faithful remnant in Jerusalem so eagerly awaited. The "redemption" Anna spoke of, while perhaps initially understood in terms of national liberation, is fully realized in Christ's atoning work on the cross, where He paid the ultimate "ransom" for humanity's sin, as highlighted in [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve and Give His Life as a Ransom"). Jesus is not merely the one who brings redemption; He *is* our redemption, our propitiation, and our reconciliation with God ([Romans 3:24-25](/romans/3-24-25 "Romans 3:24-25 - Justification by Grace Through Faith")). Anna's joyful proclamation of the infant Jesus foreshadows the universal call to proclaim Christ as the Savior of the world, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Her witness, alongside Simeon's, serves as an early testament to Jesus' divine identity, confirming that in Him, God's ancient promises of salvation and deliverance have been gloriously fulfilled, not just for Israel, but for all who believe ([Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13-14 "Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 2:25

¶ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Luke 1:68

Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Luke 24:21

But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

Luke 1:46

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

Luke 1:56

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Luke 23:51

(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) [he was] of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.