Luke 2:21 · Bible study
Luke 2:21 Commentary: Circumcision and Naming of Jesus
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did the sinless Christ undergo circumcision? This study examines Jesus' submission to the law and the significance of his name 'Jesus' (Savior).
Research Summary
- Meaning: Christ submitted to circumcision as part of his humiliation and identification with Israel, publicly receiving the saving name given by God.
- Key words: περιτεμεῖν (circumcise, G4059), ἐκλήθη (was called, G2564), Ἰησοῦς (Jesus, G2424).
- Main debate: The purpose of circumcision for the sinless Christ, whether primarily to fulfill the law or to identify with sinners.
- Theological theme: Incarnation, covenant, and salvation through Christ’s obedient submission.
- Best use: Preaching on humility, obedience, and God’s sovereign plan for redemption.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
When the eight days until His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived.
WEB World English Bible 2000
When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, then was his name called Jesus, having been so called by the messenger before his being conceived in the womb.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he had been conceived in the womb.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y pasados|strong="G3753, G4130" los ocho días para circuncidar al niño, llamaron su nombre JESÚS; el cual le fué puesto por el ángel antes que él fuese concebido en el vientre.
Quando se completaram os oito dias para circuncidá-lo, foi chamado o seu nome Jesus, o qual havia sido posto pelo anjo antes que fosse concebido.
Le huitième jour, auquel l’enfant devait être circoncis, étant arrivé, on lui donna le nom de Jésus, nom qu’ avait indiqué l’ ange avant qu’ il fût conçu dans le sein de sa mère.
Und da acht Tage um waren, daß das Kind beschnitten würde, da ward sein Name genannt Jesus, welcher genannt war von dem Engel, ehe denn er in Mutterleibe empfangen ward.
En als acht dagen vervuld waren, dat men het Kindeken besnijden zou, zo werd Zijn Naam genaamd JEZUS, welke genaamd was van den engel, eer Hij in het lichaam ontvangen was.
E quando furono compiuti gli otto giorni in capo ai quali e’ doveva esser circonciso, gli fu posto il nome di Gesù, che gli era stato dato dall’angelo prima ch’ei fosse concepito nel seno.
A gdy się wypełniło ośm dni, aby obrzezano ono dzieciątko, tedy imię jego nazwane jest Jezus, którem było nazwane od Anioła, pierwej niż się w żywocie poczęło.
По прошествии восьми дней, когда надлежало обрезать Младенца, дали Ему имя Иисус, нареченное Ангелом прежде зачатия Его во чреве.
滿了 八 天，就給孩子 行割禮， 與他 起名 叫 耶穌；這 就是沒有成胎 以前， 天使 所起的名。
And when, after eight days, the time came for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given to him before his birth.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Luke 2:21
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day in obedience to the law of Moses (Genesis 17:12; Leviticus 12:3). Calvin sees this as Christ voluntarily placing himself under the law in order to redeem those who were under it. Gill adds that circumcision proved Christ was a true son of Abraham, sharing real flesh and blood, and that he came to fulfill every divine ordinance. Matthew Henry highlights the early pain Jesus endured, not for his own sin, but as the first drops of blood shed for our redemption. The Cambridge Bible notes the naming at circumcision followed Jewish custom and was an act of faith in the angelic command (Luke 1:31). The brief account stands in contrast to the longer description of John the Baptist's circumcision (Luke 1:59), showing Luke's restraint and the humble, ordinary way the Son of God entered the covenant community. The name Jesus, meaning “Jehovah is salvation,” ties his identity directly to his mission: he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jesus, though sinless, was circumcised on the eighth day in accordance with the law and was named Jesus as the angel had commanded, affirming his identity as the Savior.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of Jesus' circumcision | Christians agree it shows his submission to the law and his identification with Israel. | Some emphasize that circumcision was necessary to fulfill the law as a covenant member (Calvin, Gill); others stress it as an act of solidarity with sinful humanity (Matthew Henry). Both readings are found in the supplied commentaries. |
| Naming at circumcision | All agree that Jesus was named at his circumcision in obedience to the angel’s command (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21). | Whether naming at circumcision was a standard Jewish custom is not explicitly commanded in Scripture. The practice appears in Luke 1:59 for John, and commentators note it was common, but Poole raises that Scripture does not prescribe it. |
| Who performed the circumcision | The text does not specify; Joseph is the most likely candidate as the father, and the Cambridge Bible assumes this. | Some traditions suggest a priest or a professional <em>mohel</em> may have performed the rite, though no firm evidence exists. All agree the identity of the circumciser is not theologically significant. |
| Comparison with John's circumcision | Both infants were circumcised on the eighth day, and both received divinely appointed names. | Luke gives a more detailed account of John’s circumcision (Luke 1:59, 79), including the neighbors’ questions and Zechariah’s restored speech. Some see this as evidence of different sources (Schleiermacher), but Lange argues the brevity for Jesus confirms the narrative’s truthfulness, no invented embellishments. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Circumcision was the sign of God's covenant with Abraham, commanded in Genesis 17:10, 14. Every male child was to be circumcised on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3). The mention of “eight days” in Luke 2:21 shows that Mary and Joseph followed the law precisely. The Greek verb eplēsthēsan (“were fulfilled”) is aorist passive, marking the completion of the required time. The rite was performed in the home by the father, likely Joseph, as was the custom (Exodus 4:24, 26 shows the father or mother could act). Circumcision was painful and involved the shedding of blood; it initiated a child into Israel and obligated him to keep the whole law (Galatians 5:3).
Naming the child at circumcision was a Jewish practice, though not commanded in Scripture. Luke 1:59 records the same pattern for John the Baptist: “On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias.” In Greek, the verb eklēthē (“was called”) is aorist passive, emphasizing the act of naming. The name Iēsous (Jesus) is the Greek form of the Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua), meaning “Yahweh saves.” This name was not chosen by the parents; it was given by the angel Gabriel to Mary before conception (Luke 1:31) and to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1:21). The phrase “before he was conceived in the womb” uses the aorist passive infinitive sullēmphthēnai, pointing back to the moment of conception. God had already assigned the child’s identity and mission before he existed. Jesus entered human life under the very law he came to fulfill (Galatians 4:4), beginning a life of obedience that would end at the cross.
Textual Notes
The Greek text of Luke 2:21 is stable across major manuscripts (e.g., P⁷⁵, א, B, A). The main variants are minor: a few later manuscripts omit the article before “child” in the phrase “to circumcise the child,” and some add “his” to “name.” None of these affect the meaning. The consulted sources note no significant textual debate for this verse.
Reception History
Luke 2:21 has long been read as the Gospel for New Year’s Day in many liturgical traditions, including the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. The eighth day after Christmas, January 1, marks the circumcision and naming of Jesus. Sermons from this verse often connect the shedding of Christ’s blood in circumcision to his later shedding of blood on the cross. The verse also appears in early church lectionaries and has been cited by theologians from Augustine to Calvin to emphasize Christ’s subjection to the law and his identity as the Savior. Milton’s poem “Upon the Circumcision” reflects the somber, redemptive tone the verse evokes. Across traditions, the verse grounds the celebration of the new year in the reality of Christ’s humility and his saving mission.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Jesus submits to the law, Though he was the lawgiver and had no sin, Christ voluntarily underwent circumcision. Calvin notes this subjected him to the entire law so he could redeem those under it (Galatians 4:4, 5). His obedience begins in infancy.
- Jesus identifies with his people, Circumcision marked him as a son of Abraham and a member of the covenant community (Gill). He did not stand apart from human frailty but entered fully into the life of Israel, bearing “the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3).
- Jesus receives his saving name, The angel had already named him before his birth. At circumcision, that name was publicly declared. The Cambridge Bible observes that naming at circumcision was customary, and here the name “Jesus” announces his mission: to save.
Five-point outline
- Obedience to Scripture, The eighth day, specified in Genesis 17:12 and Leviticus 12:3, is kept exactly.
- Voluntary humiliation, Matthew Henry emphasizes the pain Christ endured, a foreshadowing of the cross.
- Identification with Israel, Circumcision binds Jesus to the history and promises of the Jewish people.
- Divine naming, The name “Jesus” comes from God, not human decision (Luke 1:31).
- Fulfillment of all righteousness, Later, at his baptism, Jesus says this is “fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). The circumcision is the first step on that road.
Illustration hooks
- A parent names a child after a promise made long before birth, the name carries a hope and a calling. God named Jesus “Savior” before he drew breath.
- A citizen submits to a costly naturalization process, undergoing a painful interview or fee, to gain full rights in a new country. Christ submitted to a painful rite to win full membership for his people.
- A team captain arrives early and does the most grueling drills alongside the rookies, refusing special treatment. Jesus began his life under the same law he gave, showing solidarity from the start.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If Jesus had no sin, why did he need to be circumcised, wasn’t that a sign of cutting away sin?
- What does his name mean for us today? Is “Jesus” just a title, or does it carry real saving power?
- How does this quiet event connect to the bigger picture of his life and death?
Leading a Discussion
This verse records two seemingly small events, a circumcision and a naming. But they carry enormous weight. The Son of God enters the covenant community through a rite of blood, and he receives a name that defines his mission. As you discuss these verses, notice how Luke ties Jesus to Israel’s story while also pointing forward to the salvation he will bring.
Discussion questions
- Read Genesis 17:10, 12 and Leviticus 12:3. Why was the eighth day significant, and what did circumcision symbolize for Israel?
- Luke describes Jesus’ circumcision very briefly, while he gives a fuller account of John’s circumcision (Luke 1:59, 63). Why might Luke have chosen this approach?
- The name Jesus means “Yahweh saves.” How does Matthew 1:21 explain the meaning of this name? What does it tell us about Jesus’ mission?
- Galatians 4:4 says Christ was “born under the law.” How does this verse illustrate that truth? Why was it necessary for our redemption?
- In what ways does Jesus’ submission to circumcision challenge our assumptions about humility and obedience?
- Think about the people involved: Mary, Joseph, and the child. What do their actions reveal about faith and trust in God’s plans?
- How can this event encourage us when we face rituals, traditions, or disciplines that seem ordinary or even painful? What does it mean to “fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15) in our own lives?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 17:12 | He who is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. |
| Leviticus 12:3 | In the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. |
| Matthew 1:21 | She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.” |
| Matthew 1:25 | and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus. |
| Matthew 3:15 | But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. |
| Luke 1:31 | Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’ |
| Luke 1:59 | On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. |
| Galatians 4:4 | But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights that Jesus, though Lord of the law, willingly submitted to its requirements by being circumcised on the eighth day. This act publicly demonstrated his subjection to the very law he had given, in fulfillment of his mission to redeem those under the law.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that the circumcision on the eighth day followed the regular time prescribed in Genesis, and the naming called Jesus is explained by cross-referencing Matthew. He draws attention to how both details align with specific scriptural commands and prophecies.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin views Christ's circumcision not as a minor ritual but as a decisive act of voluntary submission to the law. By becoming subject to the law's bondage, Christ purchased freedom for those trapped under it. This rite also served as a prelude, applying the ceremony's shadow to his own body before its ultimate abolition.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator stresses that Christ voluntarily submitted to the painful circumcision rite to fulfill the Law and suffer for our sake. This teaches that believers must practice spiritual circumcision of the heart, since Christ replaced the painful physical rite with the painless baptism. The brief notice of His circumcision contrasts sharply with the fuller account of John's, marking a transition in covenantal practice.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize that Jesus was named at his circumcision, exactly as the angel had commanded before he was conceived. This timing shows faithful obedience to God's instruction, with the name given by divine authority before his birth.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill argues that Christ's circumcision was necessary not for his own purification but to fulfill several crucial purposes: to prove he assumed true human flesh, to show he was made under the law, to set an example of obedience to divine institutions, and to remove any Jewish objection that he was not Abraham's seed. He also notes it was the customary time for naming, as with John the Baptist.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange observes how briefly Luke records Jesus' circumcision compared to John's, calling this brevity a mark of truth since a fabricator would have added angelic scenes. He stresses that Jesus, needing no purification, submitted to the rite to be fully like His brethren and fulfill the law.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights that Christ willingly submitted to the painful rite of circumcision and the entire Mosaic law, even calling it a heavy yoke. He did this not because he needed it, but so he could cancel that law for believers with greater authority, shedding his blood first in drops then in streams.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights that Jesus submitted to circumcision to place Himself visibly under the law, binding Himself to keep it entirely. This rite also publicly owned Him as Abraham’s seed and honored the practice of solemnly dedicating children to God.