Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin
Luke 2:22-32
LUKE 2:22-32
Luke 2:22-32
22. And after that the days of their 187 purification were fulfilled according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, that they might present him to the Lord, 23. As it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: 24. And that they might offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons. 25.
And, lo, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and that man was just and devout, 188 waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26. And he had received a revelation 189 from the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Christ. 27. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. 190 And when the parents brought the young child Jesus, that they might do according to the custom of the Law for him, 28. He also took him into his arms: and blessed God, and said, 29. Thou now sendest thy servant away, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace, 30. For my eyes have seen thy salvation, 31. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all nations: 32. A light for the enlightening of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
22. And after that the days were fulfilled On the fortieth day after the birth, (Leviticus 12:2,4,) the rite of purification was necessary to be performed. But Mary and Joseph come to Jerusalem for another reason, to present Christ to the Lord, because he was the first-born. Let us now speak first of the purification. Luke makes it apply both to Mary and to Christ: for the pronoun {αὐτῶν}, of them, can have no reference whatever to Joseph. But it ought not to appear strange, that Christ, who was to be, made a curse for us on the cross," (Galatians 3:13,) should, for our benefit, take upon him our uncleanness with respect to legal guilt, though he was "without 187"Les jours de la purification d'iceux, ou, d'icelle, assavoir de Marie,"(Leviticus 12:6.)— "The days of the purification of them, or, of her, namely of Mary," (Leviticus 12:6.)
188"Craignant Dieu;" — "fearing God." 189"Lequel avoit este adverti divinement par le Sainct Esprit;" — "who had been divinely warned by the Holy Spirit"
190"Icelui estant meu par le Sainct Esprit, vint au Temple." — "He, being moved by the Holy Ghost, came to the Temple."