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Luke 2:21

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 2:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Luke 2:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
21And 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.
22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord),
24and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, etc.] According to the original institution of circumcision, (<011712>Genesis 17:12) and which was strictly observed by religious persons, as by the parents of our Lord here, and by those of John the Baptist, (<420159>Luke 1:59) Hence the Apostle Paul reckons this among his privileges, that he could have boasted of as well as other Jews, (see Gill on “<500305>Philippians 3:5”). But it may be asked, why was Christ circumcised, since he had no impurity of nature, which circumcision supposed; nor needed any circumcision of the heart, which that was a symbol of? To which it may be replied, though he needed it not himself,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Eight days ... - This was the regular time for performing the rite of circumcision, Genesis 17:12. Called Jesus - See the notes at Matthew 1:21. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“To circumcise the child - That he might visibly be made under the law by a sacred rite, which obliged him to keep the whole law; as also that he might be owned to be the seed of Abraham, and might put an honour on the solemn dedication of children to God. Luke 2:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:21 Eight days later . . . circumcised: See study note on 1:59.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“eight: Luk 1:59; Gen 17:12; Lev 12:3; Mat 3:15; Gal 4:4, Gal 4:5; Phi 2:8 his name was: Luk 1:31; Mat 1:21, Mat 1:25 Luke 2:22”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 2 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification