King James Version

What Does Luke 2:36 Mean?

Luke 2:36 in the King James Version says “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age , and had li...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age , and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;”

Luke 2:36 · KJV

Context

34

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age , and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Jerusalem: or, Israel

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Anna, a prophetess (Ἄννα προφῆτις, Anna prophētis)—The feminine form prophētis appears only here and Revelation 2:20 in the NT, indicating a woman who spoke God's words. Her Hebrew name Hannah means 'grace,' fitting for one who announced Messiah.

The daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher—Luke's genealogical precision establishes authenticity. Asher, one of the northern tribes largely lost after Assyrian exile (722 BC), demonstrates God's preservation of remnant from all twelve tribes, contradicting the 'ten lost tribes' myth. She was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity—Brief marriage, likely in her teens, followed by decades-long widowhood, positions Anna as model of covenant faithfulness through life's sorrows.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Female prophets in Israel included Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14). Anna's continuous temple presence was possible for widows with no family obligations. The Court of Women in Herod's temple provided space where devout women could pray and worship without entering restricted male courts.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Anna's decades-long faithfulness as a widow model perseverance in serving God through difficult life circumstances?
  2. What does God's inclusion of both a male prophet (Simeon) and female prophet (Anna) reveal about His valuing of women's testimony?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
Καὶ1 of 23

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἦν2 of 23

“there was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

Ἅννα3 of 23

“one Anna”

G451

anna, an israelitess

προφῆτις4 of 23

“a prophetess”

G4398

a female foreteller or an inspired woman

θυγάτηρ5 of 23

“the daughter”

G2364

a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)

Φανουήλ6 of 23

“of Phanuel”

G5323

phanuel (i.e., penuel), an israelite

ἐκ7 of 23

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

φυλῆς8 of 23

“the tribe”

G5443

an offshoot, i.e., race or clan

Ἀσήρ·9 of 23

“of Aser”

G768

aser (i.e., asher), an israelite tribe

αὕτη10 of 23
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

προβεβηκυῖα11 of 23
G4260

to walk forward, i.e., advance (literally, or in years)

ἐν12 of 23
G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἡμέραις13 of 23

“age”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

πολλαῖς14 of 23

“was of a great”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ζήσασα15 of 23

“and had lived”

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

ἔτη16 of 23

“years”

G2094

a year

μετὰ17 of 23

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ἀνδρὸς18 of 23

“an husband”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

ἑπτὰ19 of 23

“seven”

G2033

seven

ἀπὸ20 of 23

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς21 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παρθενίας22 of 23

“virginity”

G3932

maidenhood

αὐτῆς23 of 23
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 2:36 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 2:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 92:14Exodus 15:20Genesis 30:13Acts 21:9Acts 2:18Judges 4:4

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