And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

LUKE 2:27KJV
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Luke 2:27 (KJV)

What does Luke 2:27 mean?

Luke 2:27 describes the moment Simeon meets the family of the infant Jesus in the temple. The Spirit brings Simeon there at the same time that Jesus’ parents come to carry out what their law requires for their child.

Simeon is the man introduced just before this verse. Luke places the two arrivals together so the reader can see how the meeting comes about. The sentence continues in verse 28, when Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and praises God.

The Greek behind Luke 2:27

  • “temple” — ἱερόν (hieron): This word can refer to the temple area as a whole. It helps picture the meeting within the larger temple grounds, not necessarily inside the central building.
  • “custom” — ἔθος (ethos): This means an established practice. Here it points to what was regularly done according to the law.

Why Luke 2:27 matters

  • The meeting brings together two strands of the story. Simeon comes “by the Spirit,” while the parents bring Jesus “after the custom of the law.” Luke shows both arriving at the same place.
  • Jesus is brought as a child whose family follows the law. The nearby verses mention the presentation of a firstborn son and an offering associated with a mother’s cleansing after childbirth (Luke 2:22–24).
  • The verse prepares the reader for Simeon’s response to Jesus. The earlier account says Simeon had been waiting to see the one God had promised (Luke 2:25–26); the following verses show him speaking as he holds the child.

Where else these words appear

“brought” Greek G1521 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
  • Acts 7:45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
  • Acts 21:29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

“parents” Greek G1118 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
  • Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
  • John 9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

“child” Greek G3813 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
  • Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

“temple” Greek G2411 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
  • Luke 19:47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
  • Acts 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.