Luke 2:23 Meaning and Explanation
“(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Luke cites the law that every firstborn male is to be set apart as holy to the Lord.
What Does Luke 2:23 Mean?
The quotation reaches back to the exodus. After sparing the firstborn of Israel on Passover night, God claimed every firstborn male as His own (Exodus 13:2, 12). To present a firstborn son was to acknowledge that claim: the child belongs to the Lord and is redeemed, bought back, by an offering.
Of every firstborn the law said holy to the Lord, yet of this child it is true absolutely. Jesus is not merely dedicated to God; He is the Holy One whom God has given (Luke 1:35). The ancient ceremony, kept by countless families, at last receives the Son it always pointed toward, one whose whole life, from temple presentation to cross, is wholly given to the Father.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 2:23
What does Luke 2:23 mean?
Luke cites the law that every firstborn male is to be set apart as holy to the Lord.