Chapter

Luke 2:23

ESV (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)
NIV (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, 'Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord'),
NASB (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: 'EVERY firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord'),
CSB (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord )
NLT The law of the Lord says, 'If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.'
KJV (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

What does Luke 2:23 mean?

After Jesus' birth (Luke 2:1–7), Mary and Joseph continue to follow the law of Moses. That includes purification for ceremonial cleanness (Luke 2:22; Leviticus 12:2). Presenting Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem also honors a command given to Israel at the exodus from Egypt: that all firstborn should be consecrated to God (Exodus 13:1–2). That reference is especially important, as the Passover lambs described in Exodus foreshadow the ministry of Christ as Passover Lamb for the entire world (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 12:3–10).

Part of the purification ritual was animal sacrifice. The intended offering was a lamb, but the Law made exceptions for those who were poor (Leviticus 12:8). According to this passage, Mary and Joseph offer two birds, corresponding to the offering allowed for poorer people (Luke 2:24).
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