Luke 2:38 Meaning: Anna’s Praise
Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
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.
And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
and she, at that hour, having come in, was confessing, likewise, to the Lord, and was speaking concerning him, to all those looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
and she coming up the same hour gave praise to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem.
Meaning in one sentence
Anna thanks God and speaks of Jesus to all awaiting redemption, showing the Messiah has come to Jerusalem. Learn the meaning of Luke 2:38.
Context
Luke 2 tells the story of Mary and Joseph bringing baby Jesus to the temple. Simeon, a righteous man, had just held the child and praised God. Then Anna arrives. She is a prophetess, a widow in her eighties who spent her life in the temple, fasting and praying. At the very moment Simeon finishes speaking, Anna steps forward and gives thanks to God. She begins telling everyone who is waiting for redemption that this child is the one they have been longing for. Her witness is a quiet but powerful echo of Simeon’s words, and it marks the first public proclamation of Jesus to a group waiting for God’s deliverance.
Key Words
The Greek word for gave thanks here is anthōmologeito. It carries the idea of agreeing with something, or giving thanks in return for a gift. Anna is not just saying words of praise; she is responding to what God has done, matching Simeon’s song with her own. The crowd she speaks to is described as prosdechomenois, those who are eagerly waiting, looking forward with active hope. This is not a passive waiting; they are watching for God’s lutrōsin, a word that means redemption, a ransoming. It is the same hope Zechariah spoke of in Luke 1:68, when he said God had visited and redeemed his people. Anna sees that redemption now in a tiny child.
How Christians Read This Verse
Matthew Henry highlights that Anna, like Simeon, was guided by the Spirit, and her appearance at that exact hour shows God’s timing. Gill’s Exposition notes that Anna likely spoke to the pious Jews in Jerusalem who were looking for the Messiah, not to the whole city. Calvin sees her witness as proof that the number of faithful was small, but real. Clarke suggests she may have gone from house to house, making her one of the first to spread the good news. Whatever her method, all agree: Anna’s voice is the first to proclaim Jesus specifically to those who had been waiting for redemption, fulfilling their long hope.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume that Anna lived inside the temple or worked there as a servant. The verse says she did not depart from the temple, meaning she was a constant presence, devoted to prayer and fasting, not that she had a room there. She was a faithful worshipper, not a resident priestess. Her witness came from her closeness to God, not her job.
Living This Out
Anna had spent decades in the temple, but her faithfulness did not grow stale. When the moment came, she gave thanks and spoke. You may have been waiting a long time for something, an answer, a change, a sign of God’s goodness. This week, notice if God brings you a moment of recognition. It might be small: a kindness, a promise kept, a verse that fits. Like Anna, you can thank God and share that hope with someone who is waiting for it too. You do not need a pulpit. You just need to be present and ready.
Main takeaway: Anna’s thanksgiving and testimony remind us that God’s redemption is fulfilled in Jesus, and we are called to share that hope with those who long for it.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Anna was a very old woman who loved God. She went to the temple every day. When she saw baby Jesus, she was so happy she thanked God and told everyone who was waiting for a rescuer.
For ages 9, 12
Anna had been waiting for God’s special rescuer for many years. She spent her time in the temple praying and fasting. At the exact moment Jesus was brought in, she arrived and gave thanks. Then she went and told others who were also waiting. She shows us that when we stay close to God, we can recognize His work and share it with others.
Questions People Ask
Who was Anna in the Bible?
Anna was a prophetess from the tribe of Asher. She was very old, a widow for over eighty years, and spent her time in the temple worshiping God with fasting and prayer. In Luke 2:36-38, she sees baby Jesus and gives thanks, then speaks about him to those waiting for redemption.
What does “redemption in Jerusalem” mean in Luke 2:38?
Redemption here refers to God’s plan to deliver his people from sin and its consequences. It is the same hope expressed in Luke 1:68, where Zechariah blesses God for visiting and redeeming his people. The phrase points to the spiritual salvation that the Messiah would bring, not just political freedom.
How does Anna’s witness complement Simeon’s prophecy?
Simeon blesses God and prophecies about Jesus’ role for both Israel and the Gentiles. Anna adds a second witness, confirming the same message. She specifically speaks to those waiting for redemption, showing that the hope of many faithful Jews was now realized in the child. Together, they form a testimony of two faithful witnesses.
Why does Luke mention that Anna spoke “to all those who were looking for redemption”?
This phrase shows that there was a small group of devout Jews in Jerusalem who were actively expecting the Messiah. Luke emphasizes that Jesus was recognized not just by religious leaders but by humble, prayerful people like Anna and Simeon. It also connects Jesus’ coming to the long-standing hope of Israel.
Was Anna a prophetess? What does that mean?
Yes, Luke calls her a prophetess. In the Old Testament, prophetesses like Miriam and Deborah spoke God’s messages. Anna likely had a gift of speaking God’s truth. Because she spent so much time in the temple and was filled with the Holy Spirit, she was able to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and declare that to others.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study