Luke 2:36 – 38 The Prophetess

Luke 2:36 – 38 The Prophetess

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

In my bible this passage is called the Prophetess and it describes Anna a widow of many years, worshipping in the temple. She has been there day and night, in fasting and in prayer, and then she comes upon Simeon with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. She praised God and then “went out and told others who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. So the coming of Jesus is announced again, not to the politically or religiously powerful, but to the holy and the steadfast, the ones who trusted in God’s promise regardless of what is happening in the world around them. I admire that fidelity, that focus on God’s promises.