Luke 2:23

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord” ),

American Standard Version (1901)

(as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord),

Bible in Basic English

(As it says in the law of the Lord, Every mother's first male child is to be holy to the Lord),

Douay-Rheims 1899

As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:

Free Bible Version

as the law of the Lord states, “Every firstborn son must be dedicated to the Lord.”

Geneva Bible 1599

(As it is written in the Lawe of the Lord, Euery man childe that first openeth ye wombe, shalbe called holy to the Lord)

King James (Authorized) Version

(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

One Unity Resource Bible

(as it is written in the Torah ·Teaching· of MarYah [Master Yahweh], “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated holy to MarYah [Master Yahweh]”),

Unlocked Literal Bible

As it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb will be set apart to the Lord.”

Noah Webster Bible

(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that is the first born of his mother shall be called holy to the Lord)

World English Bible

(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),

Young's Literal Translation

as it hath been written in the Law of the Lord, — 'Every male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord,'

Context

Jesus Presented at the Temple

²²And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ²³(as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord” ), ²⁴and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Sermons

The Meaning of the Cross

David Ravenhill

Summary

Luke 2:23 recounts the fulfillment of the Law of Moses, which required every firstborn male to be dedicated to the Lord. Joseph and Mary, in obedience to this law, presented Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem and offered a sacrifice of two turtledoves or two young pigeons, as allowed for those who could not afford a lamb. This act not only demonstrated the faithfulness of Jesus' earthly parents to God's commands but also foreshadowed Jesus' ultimate sacrifice as the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

As it is written in the law of the Lord,.... In Exo 13:2. every male that openeth the womb, shall be called holy to the Lord; that is, devoted and consecrated to him, and so to be redeemed. The reason of this law was this, when God smote all the firstborn of Egypt, he saved the firstborn of Israel; and therefore claimed a right to them, and obliged their parents, excepting the Levites, to redeem them at the price of five shekels, which were about twelve shillings and six pence of our money, and which was given to the Levites: see Exo 13:12 And this law our Lord came under as Mary s firstborn, and as one holy to the Lord; and such a sum of money was now paid for his redemption, who was the great Redeemer of his people: he being made under the law, and in all things subject to it, that he might redeem them from the bondage, curse, and condemnation of it. Now as the tribe of Levi was excepted from this law, it is a clear case, that Mary, though allied to Elisabeth, was not of the tribe of Levi, otherwise her firstborn would not have been subject to it (y), "An Israelite that comes from a priestess, or from a she Levite, is free, (i.e. from the redemption of the firstborn;) for the thing does not depend on the father, but on the mother, as it is said, that openeth the womb in Israel. (y) Maimon. Hilch. Biccurim c. 11. sect. 10.