2:27a
Led by the Spirit, he went: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Led by the Spirit, he went is literally “He went in the Spirit.” This means that the Spirit of God caused Simeon to want to go to the temple area.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
The Spirit led Simeon (New Century Version)
-or-
the Spirit told Simeon to go (Contemporary English Version)
Spirit: The term Spirit here refers to the Holy Spirit. This is the same Spirit as in 2:25d.
the temple courts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as temple courts is literally “temple” (as in most English versions). The temple was in Jerusalem and was the most important place where Jews worshiped God. It consisted of the main building and the walls and courtyards that surrounded it. Here “temple” refers specifically to one of the courtyards.
Some English versions (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, NET Bible) have made this clear by translating “temple” as temple courts. You may want to do this also if your word or phrase for “temple” would make readers think they met inside the temple building.
Some ways to translate the term temple courts are:
• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:
courtyard of God’s house
-or-
courtyard of the house of sacrifice
-or-
courtyard of the holy/sacred house
• If your language has a word for “temple,” consider using it. But you may need to modify it by saying:
courtyard of the temple of the Lord
Be sure to use a different term from the one you have chosen for “synagogue.” There was only one temple, but there were many synagogues where the Jews met regularly for worship.
See temple, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information about the temple and how to translate it.
2:27b
the parents: The phrase the parents refers to Mary and Joseph. Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus, but he was his legal father.
brought in the child Jesus: In your translation, it may already be clear here that Jesus was a child. If so, then it may be more natural in your language to make “the child” implicit. For example:
brought in Jesus
the child: At this time, Jesus was between one and two months old. If you translate “child,” you should use a word or phrase that fits his age. For example:
the baby
2:27c
to do for Him what was customary under the Law: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to do for Him what was customary under the Law is more literally “for them to do according to the custom of the Law about him.” The Law that God gave the Israelites required them to do certain things for firstborn males. The Israelites later started doing other things that were based on this Law but that were not stated in it. These things became customs.
When Jesus’ parents brought him to the temple to present him to God, they were following such a custom. This entire clause refers back to what was already mentioned in 2:22b–23.
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
to perform for him the custom ⌊derived⌋ from the Law concerning him ⌊as a firstborn son⌋
-or-
to do the customary thing for him based on ⌊Moses’⌋ law
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