Luke 2:36–40: Anna: A Lifetime of Expectation

June 23, 2026

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

Both the Old and New Testaments affirm the principle that a matter is established by the testimony of two witnesses, and Luke appears to follow this principle in his carefully documented Gospel account.^[1] 

Last time, we considered Simeon, who met Mary and Joseph in the temple when Jesus was only forty days old, and proclaimed that he was the Messiah (Luke 2:21–35). In our passage today, a prophetess named Anna confirms Simeon's declaration. Let's now consider her story. 

Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem in obedience to the law requiring a woman to offer a sacrifice of purification thirty-three days after childbirth. While they were in the temple, Simeon, an elderly prophet, told them that Jesus would bring salvation to all people. Before beginning their journey home, they were also met by the prophetess Anna. 

Anna was from the tribe of Asher, one of the tribes in northern Israel taken into captivity by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Over the years, however, the Israelites made their way back to their homeland, and Anna's family was among those who returned. Sometime in her late teens or early twenties, Anna married. No doubt, she had hopes and dreams like any young bride, but seven years later, her husband died. 

There would have been nothing wrong with Anna marrying again; however, she chose a different path. She devoted herself to serving in the temple, "worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day" (Luke 2:37). This was not an emotional decision made in the midst of grief and later regretted. Anna was eighty-four years old and had been serving in the temple for some sixty years. 

Luke describes Anna as "a prophetess." Let's stop here for a moment to point out that women in positions of leadership were not uncommon in Judaism. In the Old Testament, Sarah, Miriam, Hannah, Deborah, Ruth, and Esther are examples of women having significant roles. In the New Testament, Luke notes that several women were important in Jesus' ministry and listed them by name: "Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,  and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for [Jesus and his disciples] out of their means" (Luke 8:2–3).

During his sermon at Pentecost, the apostle Peter quoted the prophet Joel, who spoke of a coming day when God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh "and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy" (Acts 2:17). Later in Acts, Luke noted that Philip the evangelist had four unmarried daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8–9). In a Roman culture where only the upper class were highly valued and most women were treated as second-class citizens, Paul affirmed the equal standing of all believers when he wrote, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). 

Another important aspect of Anna's calling is worth noting. The Catholic Church presents Anna as an example of someone consecrated to religious life, such as a nun or a consecrated widow. Of course, Anna was not a nun, since religious orders of this kind did not exist in the first century. Even so, she remains a model of prayer, fasting, and devotion to God. 

I mention this only because some may conclude that a widow who remarries is somehow less than spiritual. That is certainly not the case.^[2] While Anna was a godly woman who dedicated her life to God's service, she is also an example to men and women alike of what it means to be sold out for Jesus in every stage of life. We are all called to serve God with our whole hearts and to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). And today, on this side of the cross, we do not have to go to a certain place to pray, because the Holy Spirit lives within us.

It seems that Anna saw Simeon speaking with the young family, and the Spirit moved her to speak to them as well. Luke writes, "And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem." Anna told all her friends—everyone who would listen—that she had seen the Messiah. God the Son had come to earth. 

There was likely a group of elderly saints who were expecting the coming of the Messiah and came often to the temple. It is quite possible that they met together from time to time to share their anticipation. They had longed for the Messiah's coming and now he had arrived. One commentator notes that by the time Jesus began his ministry, these saints had probably all passed away, "but they had a happy hour of hope and joy."^[3]

After fulfilling the requirements of the law, Luke says that Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth. There, Jesus "grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him" (Luke 2:40).

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Luke 2:36–40: What promise of God are you currently waiting on, and how can you follow Anna's example of remaining faithful in worship, prayer, and service during this time of waiting?

Talking to God: Waiting is hard. Ask God to give you the endurance you need. 

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