Luke 2:38 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Gave thanks likewise— The version of 1729 renders it, she expressed her thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Jesus; and it must be acknowledged, that there are in Luke 2:22; Luke 2:27 instances, in which the relative pronoun refers to a remote, and not immediately preceding substantive: but it is so evident, that Christ is so often called the Lord by St. Luke, as well as by the other sacred writers, that there can be no necessityfor giving the passage such a turn. If it be objected, that the infant Jesus, as an infant, did not seem capable at that time of returning her gratitude, we answer, that Anna might properly be said to make her acknowledgements to the Lord, if she addressed herself to the child; as Simeon had done, confessing him to be the Messiah. The original phrase ανθωμολογειτο, may have reference to Simeon's speech, and might be intended to intimate that this of Anna was a kind of response or counterpart to his; and it is not improbable that she, like Simeon, might also address some lofty hymn of praise to the God of Israelon this great occasion: at least this may be inferred from the words, "She spoke of him to all those of her acquaintance in Jerusalem, who were waiting, like herself, for the promised redemption of Israel by the Messiah;" of whose speedy appearance there was an earnest expectation raised among the pious and devout, as the appointed period of his coming now evidently approached. For the sceptre appeared to be departing from Judah, though it was not actually gone; Daniel's weeks were plainly near their period; and the revival of the spirit of prophesy, joined with the memorable occurrences relating to the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus, could notbut encourage and quicken the expectation of pious persons at this time. See Dr. Doddridge and Bishop Chandler. An old copy mentioned by Dr. Mill, reads the last clause of this verse thus; to all who looked for the redemption of Israel. The example of these aged saints ought to impress and animate those, whose hoary heads, like theirs, are a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. Their venerable lips, so soon to be silent in the grave, should now be employed in the praises of their Redeemer, that they, by the grace of God, may have thepleasuretosee,throughtheirpious attempts, the rising generation improved in true religion, and that they may quit the world with the greater tranquillity in the view of leaving those behind them, to whom Christ will be as precious as he hath been to them, and who will be waiting for God's salvation, while they are gone to enjo