To read the texts click on the texts: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk2:36-40
Luke is fond of pairing male
and female figures in his narrative. The role of Simeon and Anna in the Temple
at the end of the birth narrative balances the role of Zechariah and Elizabeth
at the beginning of the narrative. Anna’s character and piety are emphasized,
but not her words. She was a descendant of a family from the northern kingdom,
and a devout widow, advanced in age. Anna evidently married young and was
widowed seven years later. The reference to 84 years probably records her age,
but may be read as the number of years she had lived as a widow.
Anna’s blessing,
though not recorded, is characterized as praising God and speaking about the
child. Since this description corresponds to the content of Simeon’s oracles,
we can probably say that Anna’s prophecy matched his. Similarly, the reference
to “all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” serves as an
inclusion, balancing the description of Simeon as one who was “looking forward
to the consolation of Israel” at the beginning of this scene. Simeon and Anna,
who represent the pious ones, declare that Jesus is the one who will bring
salvation for Israel, but not all would receive this salvation. Jesus himself
would be rejected, and many in Israel would reject the gospel, but it was also
meant for “a light for revelation to the Gentiles”.
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