BURKITT : | Lu 2:1-7 | Lu 2:8-12 | Lu 2:13-14 | Lu 2:15-20 | Lu 2:21 | Lu 2:22-24 | Lu 2:25-28 | Lu 2:29-33 | | Lu 2:34-35 | Lu 2:36-38 | Lu 2:39-40 | Lu 2:41-42 | Lu 2:43-45 | Lu 2:46-47 | Lu 2:48 | Lu 2:49 | Lu 2:50-52 | KJV
Reference
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 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. 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 2:36-38 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Simeon is seconded by Anna, a prophetess; she also declares that the child Jesus was the promised and expected Messiah: and thus Christ was proclaimed in the temple by two heralds of different sexes.
Concerning this aged woman, Anna, it is said, that she departed not from the temple night nor day; not that she lived and lodged there, but by her never departing from, understand her daily repairing to, the temple.
That which is often done is said in scripture to be always done. We are said to do a thing continually when we do it seasonably: thus we pray continually when we pray as often as duty requires us to pray.
Learn hence, that such duties as a Christian performs out of conscience, he will perform with constancy and perseverance; nature will have her good moods, but grace is steady. The devotions of a pious soul like Anna’s, are as constant, but more frequent, than the returns of day and night.