Thematic Bible: Presents jesus in the temple


Thematic Bible



At length the time appointed by the law of Moses for the purification of women being accomplish'd, they carried the infant to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, according as his law directs, "every first born male-child shall be consecrated to the Lord." and to offer the sacrifice prescrib'd by the law, which was a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pidgeons. read more.
At that time there dwelt at Jerusalem one Simeon, an honest, religious man, one who expected the appearance of the Messiah, and was endued with the spirit of prophecy. to him it was revealed by the holy spirit, that he should not die till he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. by the divine direction he came into the temple, just as the parents of Jesus were bringing in the child to perform what the law required in his behalf. then he took him up in his arms, and returned thanks to God in these words, "now, Lord, thou wilt grant thy servant a happy death, according to thy promise. for mine eyes have beheld the saviour, whom thou hast provided for all mankind, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." Joseph and the mother of Jesus were surprized to hear such things pronounc'd concerning him. then Simeon gave them his benediction, and said to Mary his mother, "the child you now see, shall occasion many in Israel to fall and rise again; he will be the Object of calumny, which like a dart will pierce even thro' your own soul, that thereby the sincerity of many may be revealed." There was likewise one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had liv'd in a married state but seven years ever since she was a virgin: being then a widow of about fourscore and four years old: she was assiduously in the temple, night and day religiously employ'd in fastings and prayers: and happening to come in just at the same time, she likewise express'd her thanks to the lord, and spoke of Jesus to all those, who expected deliverance in Jerusalem. and when they had performed every thing required by the divine law, they returned into Galilee, to Nazareth their city.