4: Presentation at the Temple and Maturing Years (Lk 2:21-52)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

Just as the birth narrative began in the temple, it now concludes in the temple. The events that took place and the words spoken about the child Jesus clearly point out that He is the Savior whom Israel had been waiting for. The passages we have studied thus far are mostly unique to Luke. In a way that is characteristic of Luke, the stories carefully depict the individuals who played a part in the narratives, including their character, words, feelings, and interactions.

B.     Key Verse

            “For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel” (2:30-32).

            “And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?’” (2:49).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.       Days of her purification (2:22): According to Jewish law a woman became ceremonially unclean on the birth of a child. On the eighth day the child was circumcised (cf. 1:59; Gen 17:12), after which the mother was unclean an additional thirty-three days—sixty-six if the child was female (Lev 12:1-5).^3/848

2.       The hymn of Simeon (2:29-32) is known as Nunc Dimittis, from the first words of the Latin version, meaning “Now dismiss.”

3.       Feast of Passover (2:41): The law commanded that all adult males should attend the three major annual feasts in Jerusalem—Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Doing so was not possible for many because of the distance, but most tried to attend the Passover.

4.       Twelve years old (2:42): With puberty, a boy became a “son of the covenant.” ^3/851 At age 12 boys began preparing to take their places in the religious community the following year.^5/1540

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(2:21-39)

(21)

(22-24)

(25-35)

(36-38)

(40)

(2:40-52)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. Segment Analysis

A.     2:21-39

1. What does verse 24 imply about the financial status of Joseph and Mary (cf. Lev 12:7-8)?

2. How is the narrative of the presentation of Jesus significant?

3 Describe Simeon and his role in the narrative.

4. What do Simeon’s words in 31 and 32 tell us about the gospel? 

5. Explain Simeon’s words to Mary (34-35).

6. Describe Anna and her role in the narrative. 

7. Why were Simeon and Anna an important part of the narrative? 

B.     2:40-51

8. Based on the descriptions of Jesus’ growth (40 and 52), what characterize a sound and well-rounded growth?

9.What significance does this story have?

10a. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?”

10b.How can we imitate the Lord Jesus and “be about my Father’s business” (also translated as “in my Father’s house”)?

11. Jesus returned to Nazareth with His parents and was subject to them, even though He had told them that He must be about His Father’s business. What can we learn here about our responsibilities toward God and toward our family?