The Meaning of Luke 2:38 Explained

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.

YLT: and 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.

Darby: and she coming up the same hour gave praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Luke 2:38 Mean?

Study Notes

redemption
Redemption
Redemption, "to deliver by paying a price." The N.T. doctrine. The N.T. records the fulfilment of the O.T. types and prophecies of redemption through the sacrifice of Christ. The completed truth is set forth in the three words which are translated redemption
(1) agorazo, "to purchase in the market." The underlying thought is of a slave-market. The subjects of redemption are "sold under sin" Romans 7:14 but are, moreover, under sentence of death; Ezekiel 18:4 ,; John 3:18 ; John 3:19 ; Romans 3:19 ; Galatians 3:10 , and the purchase price is the blood of the Redeemer who dies in their stead; Galatians 3:13 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 ; Matthew 20:28 ,; Mark 10:45 ; 1 Timothy 2:6 ; 1 Peter 1:18 .
(2) exagorazo, "to buy out of the market." The redeemed are never again to be exposed to sale;
(3) lutroo, "to loose," "to set free by paying a price" John 8:32 ; Galatians 4:4 ; Galatians 4:5 ; Galatians 4:31 ; Galatians 5:13 ; Romans 8:21 . Redemption is by sacrifice and by power (See Scofield " Exodus 14:30 ") Christ paid the price, the Holy Spirit makes deliverance actual in experience Romans 8:2 .
(See Scofield " Isaiah 59:20 ") . See Scofield " Romans 1:16 ".
grace Grace (in salvation), Romans 4:4-16 ; Romans 3:24 . (See Scofield " John 1:17 ") .

Context Summary

Luke 2:25-39 - The Aged Simeon's Prophetic Blessing
Two aged watchers welcomed the King; but no one else, of all the crowds who went and came, guessed that the Messenger of the Covenant had suddenly come to His Temple, Malachi 3:1-3.
In the Arctic Circle in summer the visitor will behold the magnificent spectacle, on the same sky, of the hues of sunset and of dawn. Dipping only for a brief period beneath the horizon, the setting sun leaves the glorious trail of sunset, and rising, bathes the eastern clouds with the radiance of dawn. So, when Simeon embraced Christ, sunset and sunrise met. There was the glory of the age that was passing, and the glory of the new Christian age that shall ever stand at perfect noon.
Note the concentric circles of Simeon's character: a man; a man in Jerusalem-i.e., a Jew; righteous toward his fellows; devout toward God; looking; Spirit-anointed; to whom it was revealed; Christ in his arms. What more could be said? [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 2

1  Augustus taxes all the Roman empire
6  The nativity of Jesus
8  An angel relates it to the shepherds, and many sing praises to God for it
15  The shepherds glorify God
21  Jesus is circumcised
22  Mary purified
25  Simeon and Anna prophesy of Jesus,
39  who increases in wisdom,
41  questions in the temple with the teachers,
51  and is obedient to his parents

Greek Commentary for Luke 2:38

Coming up [επιστασα]
Second aorist active participle. The word often has the notion of coming suddenly or bursting in as of Martha in Luke 10:40. But here it probably means coming up and standing by and so hearing Simeon‘s wonderful words so that her words form a kind of footnote to his. [source]
Gave thanks [αντωμολογειτο]
Imperfect middle of a verb Anna was evidently deeply moved and repeated her thanksgiving and kept speaking These probably all passed away. But they had a happy hour of hope and joy. The late MSS. have “in Jerusalem” but “of Jerusalem” is correct. What they meant by the “redemption of Jerusalem” is not clear, whether political or spiritual or both. Simeon was looking for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25) and Zacharias (Luke 1:68) sang of redemption for Israel (Isaiah 40:2). [source]
Coming up [ἐπιστᾶσα]
See on Luke 2:9. [source]
Gave thanks [ἀνθωμολογεῖτο]
The verb originally means to make a mutual agreement; and the idea of reciprocity is retained in the expression “to return thanks” for something received. Compare Sept., Luke 2:25. Compare Luke 1:68, and see Isaiah 40:2. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 2:38

Matthew 17:27 Lest we cause them to stumble [ινα μη σκανδαλισωμεν αυτους]
He does not wish to create the impression that he and the disciples despise the temple and its worship. Aorist tense (punctiliar single act) here, though some MSS. have present subjunctive (linear). “A hook” The only example in the N.T. of fishing with a hook. From an unused verb αγκιζω — agkizō to angle, and that from αγκος — agkos a curve (so also αγκαλη — agkalē the inner curve of the arm, Luke 2:38). [source]
Mark 15:43 Looking for the Kingdom of God [ην προσδεχομενος την βασιλειαν του τεου]
Periphrastic imperfect. Also Luke 23:51. The very verb used by Luke of Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25, Luke 2:38). Matthew 27:57 calls him “Jesus‘ disciple” while John 19:38 adds “secretly for fear of the Jews.” He had evidently taken no public stand for Jesus before now.Boldly (τολμησας — tolmēsas). Aorist (ingressive) active participle, becoming bold. It is the glory of Joseph and Nicodemus, secret disciples of Jesus, that they took a bold stand when the rest were in terror and dismay. That is love psychology, paradoxical as it may seem. [source]
Luke 2:9 Came upon [ἐπέστη]
The word is used in this sense in classical Greek, as well as in that of to stand by, which Rev. prefers here, as in Acts 12:7. In Luke 2:38 of this chapter, Rev. renders coming up. The rendering to come upon has a hostile flavor, as properly in Acts 17:5, where the verb is rendered assaulted; so that the Rev. rendering here is preferable. [source]
Luke 10:21 In that same hour [εν αυτηι τηι ωραι]
Literally, “at the hour itself,” almost a demonstrative use of αυτος — autos (Robertson, Grammar, p. 686) and in Luke alone in the N.T. (Luke 2:38; Luke 10:21; Luke 12:12; Luke 20:19). Matthew 11:25 uses the demonstrative here, “at that time” (εν εκεινωι τωι καιρωι — en ekeinōi tōi kairōi). [source]
Luke 2:25 Looking for the consolation of Israel [προσδεχομενος παρακλησιν του Ισραελ]
Old Greek verb to admit to one‘s presence (Luke 15:2) and then to expect as here and of Anna in Luke 2:38. επ αυτον — Parakle4sin here means the Messianic hope (Isaiah 11:10; Isaiah 40:1), calling to one‘s side for cheer.Upon him (ep' auton). This is the explanation of his lively Messianic hope. It was due to the Holy Spirit. Simeon and Anna are representatives of real piety in this time of spiritual dearth and deadness. [source]
2 Timothy 4:2 Be instant [ἐπίστηθι]
Better, be ready. Once in Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5:3. Frequent in Luke and Acts. Lit. stand by, be at hand, be present. To come suddenly upon, Luke 2:38. Hence, be ready. Instant signifies urgent, importunate, persevering. Lat. instare to press upon. Thus Latimer, “I preached at the instant request of a curate.” So N.T., Romans 12:12, “Continuing instant in prayer.” [source]
Titus 2:13 Looking for [προσδεχομενοι]
Present middle participle of προσδεχομαι — prosdechomai old verb, the one used of Simeon (Luke 2:25) and others (Luke 2:38) who were looking for the Messiah. [source]
Hebrews 9:12 Having obtained eternal redemption [αἰωνίαν λύτρωσιν εὑράμενος]
Having found and won by his act of entrance into the heavenly sanctuary. This is better than to explain “entered the sanctuary after having obtained redemption by his life, death, and resurrection”; for the work of redemption is crowned and completed by Christ's ascension to glory and his ministry in heaven (see Hebrews href="/desk/?q=heb+6:2&sr=1">Hebrews 6:2. Not mere duration is contemplated, but quality; a redemption answering in its quality to that age when all the conditions of time shall be no more: a redemption not ritual, but profoundly ethical and spiritual. Λύτρωσιν redemptiononly here, Luke 1:68; Luke 2:38. See on might redeem, Titus 2:4. [source]
Hebrews 10:34 Took joyfully [μετὰ χαρᾶς προσεδέξασθε]
The verb primarily to receive to one's self, accept, as here. Comp. Luke 15:2; Philemon 2:29. Mostly, in N.T. however, to wait for, expect, as Mark 15:43; Luke 2:25, Luke 2:38; Acts 23:21. [source]
Hebrews 9:12 Through his own blood [δια του ιδιου αιματος]
This is the great distinction between Christ as High Priest and all other high priests. They offer blood (Hebrews 9:7), but he offered his own blood. He is both victim and High Priest. See the same phrase in Hebrews 13:12; Acts 20:28. Once for all In contrast to the repeated (annual) entrances of the Levitical high priests (Hebrews 9:7). Into the holy place Here, as in Hebrews 9:8, Hebrews 9:24 heaven itself. Having obtained First aorist middle (indirect) participle of ευρισκω — heuriskō simultaneous action with εισηλτεν — eisēlthen and by or of himself “as the issue of personal labour directed to this end” (Westcott). The value of Christ‘s offering consists in the fact that he is the Son of God as well as the Son of man, that he is sinless and so a perfect sacrifice with no need of an offering for himself, and that it is voluntary on his part (John 10:17). Λυτρωσις — Lutrōsis (from λυτροω — lutroō) is a late word for the act of ransoming (cf. λυτρον — lutron ransom), in O.T. only here and Luke 1:68; Luke 2:38. But απολυτρωσις — apolutrōsis elsewhere (as in Luke 21:28; Romans 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 11:35). For “eternal” (αιωνιαν — aiōnian here feminine form) see Hebrews 6:2. The author now turns to discuss the better sacrifice (9:13-10:18) already introduced. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 2:38 mean?

And she at that hour having come up was giving praise - to God was speaking concerning Him to all those waiting for [the] redemption of Jerusalem
καὶ αὐτῇ τῇ ὥρᾳ ἐπιστᾶσα ἀνθωμολογεῖτο τῷ Θεῷ ἐλάλει περὶ αὐτοῦ πᾶσιν τοῖς προσδεχομένοις λύτρωσιν Ἰερουσαλήμ

αὐτῇ  she 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
τῇ  at  that 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὥρᾳ  hour 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ὥρα  
Sense: a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving year.
ἐπιστᾶσα  having  come  up 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐφίστημι  
Sense: to place at, place upon, place over.
ἀνθωμολογεῖτο  was  giving  praise 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀνθομολογέομαι  
Sense: to reply by professing or by confessing.
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεῷ  to  God 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἐλάλει  was  speaking 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀπολαλέω 
Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound.
περὶ  concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
πᾶσιν  to  all 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
τοῖς  those 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
προσδεχομένοις  waiting  for 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: προσδέχομαι  
Sense: to receive to one’s self, to admit, to give access to one’s self.
λύτρωσιν  [the]  redemption 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: λύτρωσις  
Sense: a ransoming, redemption.
Ἰερουσαλήμ  of  Jerusalem 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: Ἰερουσαλήμ  
Sense: denotes either the city itself or the inhabitants.