21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. (Luke 2:21-24 KJV)
Jesus Presented at the Temple
Our Lord Jesus, being born of a woman, was made under the law (Galatians 4:4). He was not only, as a descendant of Adam, under the law of nature, but also, as a descendant of Abraham, under the law of Moses. He willingly submitted to that yoke, though it was burdensome and only a shadow of the good things to come. Though its institutions were weak and basic elements, as the apostle calls them, Christ submitted to it so that he might more gracefully cancel it and set it aside for us. Here we have two instances of his being made under that law and submitting to it.
He was circumcised on the very day appointed by the law (Luke 2:21): When eight days were completed, a week after his birth, he was circumcised.
Though it was a painful procedure—Zipporah called Moses a “bloody husband” because of the circumcision (Exodus 4:25)—Christ underwent it for us, as an early act of obedience, shedding his blood by drops, which he would later pour out fully. Though circumcision implied he was a stranger entering into covenant with God, when he was already God’s beloved Son; though it implied he was a sinner needing cleansing, when he was sinless—yet he submitted to it. He did so to be made in the likeness not only of flesh but of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3). Though circumcision made him a debtor to the whole law (Galatians 5:3), he submitted to it because he took on the form of a servant.
Christ was circumcised, first, to identify with the seed of Abraham, the nation from which he came according to the flesh (Hebrews 2:16). Second, to identify himself as the surety for our sins. Circumcision was our bond of indebtedness to the law, and by being circumcised, Christ signed it, being made sin for us. The ceremonial law was full of sacrifices, and Christ, by this act, bound himself to offer not the blood of animals, but his own. Third, to validate and honor the dedication of the infant children of the church to God through the covenant seal—circumcision then (Romans 4:11), and baptism now. His circumcision at eight days old strongly supports infant dedication, more than his baptism at thirty supports delaying it until adulthood. The change of ceremony does not alter the substance.
At his circumcision, he was named Jesus, or Joshua, as the angel had named him before his conception (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21).
This was a common Jewish name (Colossians 4:11), and in this, he was made like his brethren. It was also the name of two significant Old Testament types of him: Joshua, who led Israel into Canaan, and Joshua the high priest, who was crowned to symbolize Christ as a priest on his throne (Zechariah 6:11,13). Most importantly, it signified his mission—Jesus means “Savior.” He was named not for his divine glory but for his merciful work as Mediator.
He was also presented in the temple, in obedience to the law, when he was forty days old, after the days of purification were completed (Luke 2:22). Many early manuscripts read “their purification,” referring to both mother and child, as required by the law. Though he had no impurity to be cleansed from, he submitted to this rite, just as he did to circumcision, because he was made sin for us. As we share in his circumcision spiritually (Colossians 2:11), so we also share in his purification, being cleansed from the corruption we inherited at birth.
According to the law, the child Jesus, being a firstborn son, was presented to the Lord in the temple. As written (Luke 2:23), “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,” commemorating the protection of Israel’s firstborn in Egypt. As the firstborn among many brothers, Christ had a priestly status surpassing Aaron’s. Yet he was presented as others were, no differently. Though he had just come from the Father’s presence, he was presented by the hands of a priest, as if needing introduction.
This act pointed forward to his role as Mediator (Jeremiah 30:21). He was also redeemed, as required (Numbers 18:15-16), likely with the five-shekel price, or less if poverty allowed, though no payment is mentioned. Christ was presented not to be taken back; his ear was symbolically pierced to serve God forever. Though not left in the temple like Samuel, he was given to the Lord permanently, and now ministers in the heavenly temple.
His mother brought her offering (Luke 2:24). Though she had offered to God the Son who would be the ultimate sacrifice, she still brought the appointed sacrifice under the law, which remained in effect. She offered a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons. If able, she would have offered a lamb and a dove; but being poor, she brought two birds—one for a burnt offering and one for a sin offering (Leviticus 12:6,8).
This teaches us that whenever we approach God, especially on special occasions, we should both thank him for his mercies and confess our sins with sorrow and humility. Christ, though not conceived or born in sin like others, still complied with this law, because he was made under it. Thus, it was fitting for him to fulfill all righteousness. How much more should even the best of men confess their sins—for who can say, “I have made my heart clean”?