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Epiphany · The Presentation of Our Lord · Year A

Luke 2:22-40

Simeon and Anna Welcome the Christ Child

February 2, 2026

Simeon's Song of Praise, Rembrandt van Rijn
Simeon's Song of Praise, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1631Mauritshuis, The Hague
The old man holds the child up with his eyes already turned away and upward, in a temple that disappears into gloom above them.Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: the painting is the instant the Nunc Dimittis is being said.Rembrandt van RijnRembrandt (1606-1669) painted scripture as if it had happened in a room he had been in, and returned to the same stories across forty years, changing his mind about them in public.Mauritshuis, The HagueA small seventeenth-century town house holding a concentrated Dutch Golden Age collection, including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring.Mauritshuis, The Hague
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:22-40Lk 2:22-40
EpistleHeb. 2:14-18Heb 2:14-18
Old TestamentMal. 3:1-4Mal 3:1-4
PsalterPs. 84Ps 84

Overview & Insights

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation." (Luke 2:29-30)

Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Jerusalem temple to fulfill the law's requirements for a firstborn son and for Mary's purification. Simeon, led by the Spirit, recognizes Jesus as the promised salvation and blesses the family, while the prophet Anna gives thanks and speaks of the child to all who awaited Jerusalem's redemption.

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Commentary

Commentary on Luke 2:22-40Commentary on Lk 2:22-40 Working Preacher · Luther Seminary

The RCL's own preaching commentary on the exact pericope for this feast.

Luke 2:22-40 CommentaryLk 2:22-40 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching-focused reading of the temple presentation and Simeon's blessing.

Luke 2:25-35 - Simeon's ProphecyLk 2:25-35 - Simeon's Prophecy Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the presentation, Simeon, and Anna.

Luke 2 Commentaries and SermonsLk 2 Commentaries and Sermons Precept Austin

An inductive study gateway with word studies and cross references across the chapter.

Luke 2:22 CommentariesLk 2:22 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the presentation in the temple.

Luke 2 Verse-by-Verse CommentaryLk 2 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight

Gill's Exposition read straight through the chapter for a further expositional voice.

Background & Word Study

Luke 2:22 InterlinearLk 2:22 Interlinear BibleHub

The Greek of the passage word by word with parsing and lexical helps.

Book of Luke Overview (Ch. 1-9)Book of Lk Overview (Ch. 1-9) BibleProject

An animated overview of Luke's infancy narrative, including the temple presentation.

The Church Fathers

Luke 2 (Catena)Lk 2 (Catena) Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on Simeon's song and Anna's witness.

Ecumenical & Anglican Voices

Bible Study: The Presentation Episcopal Church

An Anglican study guide walking through the day's readings and Candlemas themes.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated index of images for this feast's readings across the history of Christian art.

Study Hub

Luke 2:22-40Lk 2:22-40 Textweek

A comprehensive lectionary link aggregator for this Gospel passage.

Sermon Brainwave Podcast Working Preacher · Luther Seminary

The weekly lectionary preaching podcast that discusses this feast's texts aloud.

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