Luke 2:37

and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrator describes Anna, a prophetess of the tribe of Asher, in the temple courts during the presentation of the infant Jesus. She encounters the child while others in the temple await Jerusalem’s redemption.

The words — χήρα (chēra) literally means widow, and ἕως (heōs) means until, establishing that she remained in that status until she reached eighty-four years of age.

The thread — Her temple-bound devotion parallels the widow who hopes in God and continues night and day in petitions (1 Timothy 5:5), while her constant presence in the temple courts echoes the promise to dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).

Why it lands — The text records her factual lifespan, her refusal to leave the temple, and her continuous fasting and praying without adding commentary on her spiritual merit. It demands recognition that persistent, disciplined worship defines her witness before she speaks to those awaiting redemption.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

1 Timothy 5:5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Acts 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
Psalms 27:4 One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.
Acts 13:3 And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Acts 26:7 the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.
Exodus 38:8 Next he made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
Psalms 22:2 I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest.
Psalms 84:4 How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah
Psalms 84:10 For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.