Luke 2 · Verse 38

Luke 2:38

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Luke 2:38, King James Version

Luke 2:38 in other translations

BSBComing forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
WEBComing up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
ASVAnd coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
YLTand she, at that hour, having come in, was confessing, likewise, to the Lord, and was speaking concerning him, to all those looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
DARBYand she coming up the same hour gave praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem.
BBEAnd coming up at that time, she gave praise to God, talking of him to all those who were waiting for the freeing of Jerusalem.
WebsterAnd she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

What does Luke 2:38 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
38. coming in--"presenting herself." She had been there already but now is found "standing by," as Simeon's testimony to the blessed Babe died away, ready to take it up "in turn" (as the word rendered "likewise" here means). to all them, &c.--the sense is, "to all them in Jerusalem that were looking for redemption"--saying in effect, In that Babe are wrapt up all your expectations. If this was at the hour of prayer, when numbers flocked to the temple, it would account for her having such an audience as the words imply [Alford].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 38. No entry from BARNES for this verse.

(v) "looked for redemption" Lk 2:25 (4) "in Jerusalem", or "Israel"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 38 Coming in that instant - Αυτῃ τῃ ὡρᾳ, at that very time - while Simeon held the blessed Redeemer in his arms, and was singing his departing and triumphal song. Gave thanks likewise - She, as well as Simeon, returned God public thanks, for having sent this Savior to Israel. Spake of him - Of the nature and design of his mission; and the glory that should take place in the land. To all them that looked for redemption - As Daniel's seventy weeks were known to be now completed, the more pious Jews were in constant expectation of the promised Messiah. They were expecting redemption, λυτρωσιν; such a redemption as was to be brought about by an atonement, or expiatory victim, or ransom price. See on Luk 1:68 (note). In Jerusalem - It is probable she went about from house to house, testifying the grace of God. In the margin of our common version, Israel is put instead of Jerusalem, which the translators thought was nearly as eligible as the word they received into the text. This marginal reading is supported by several MSS., all the Arabic and Persic versions, the Vulgate, and most copies of the Itala. Were this reading to be received, it would make a very essential alteration in the meaning of the text, as it would intimate that this excellent woman traveled over the land of Israel, proclaiming the advent of Christ. At all events, it appears that this widow was one of the first publishers of the Gospel of Christ, and it is likely that she traveled with it from house to house through the city of Jerusalem, where she knew they dwelt who were expecting the salvation of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 2:36-40

There was much evil then in the church, yet God left not himself without witness. Anna always dwelt in, or at least attended at, the temple. She was always in a praying spirit; gave herself to prayer, and in all things she served God. Those to whom Christ is made known, have great reason to thank the Lord. She taught others concerning him. Let the example of the venerable saints, Simeon and Anna, give courage to…

Read the full comment on Luke 2:36-40 →

Luke 2:38 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
αὐτῇautēasheG846
τῇtēaat thatG3588
ὥρᾳhōrahourG5610
ἐπιστᾶσαepistasahaving come upG2186
ἀνθωμολογεῖτοanthōmologeitoshe was giving praiseG437
τῷtō<the>G3588
θεῷtheōto GodG2316
καὶkaiandG2532
ἐλάλειelaleiwas speakingG2980
περὶpericoncerningG4012
αὐτοῦautouHimG846
πᾶσινpasinto allG3956
τοῖςtoisthoseG3588
προσδεχομένοιςprosdechomenoiswaiting forG4327
λύτρωσινlutrōsin[the] redemptionG3085
Ἰερουσαλήμ.¶Ierousalēmof Jerusalem.G2419

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 2:38

  • Luke 2:25

    And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:15

    Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

  • Luke 1:68

    Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

  • Mark 15:43

    Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

  • Luke 24:21

    But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

  • Luke 2:28-32

    Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; …

  • Luke 1:46-56

    And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. …

  • Ephesians 1:3

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

  • Luke 23:51

    (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

  • Luke 1:64-66

    And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
coming.
27
gave.
28-32; 1:46-56,64-66; 2Co 9:15; Eph 1:3
looked.
25; 23:51; 24:21; Mr 15:43
Jerusalem. or, Israel.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 2:37

    And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

  • Luke 2:38

    And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

  • Luke 2:39

    And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

Read all of Luke 2

Luke 2:38 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y ésta, sobreviniendo en la misma hora, juntamente confesaba al Señor, y hablaba de él á todos los que esperaban la redención en Jerusalem.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		celle-ci, survenant en ce même moment, louait le ✶Seigneur, et parlait de lui à tous ceux qui, à Jérusalem, attendaient la délivrance.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und sie trat zu derselben Stunde herzu, lobte den Herrn und redete von ihm zu allen, welche auf Erlösung warteten in Jerusalem.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et hæc, ipsa hora superveniens, confitebatur Domino: et loquebatur de illo omnibus, qui exspectabant redemptionem Israël.