Luke 2:23
(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
LUKE 2:23
This verse quotes the law’s standard that every firstborn male belongs to the Lord and is to be considered holy to Him. In Israel, the firstborn son belonged in a special way to God, a reminder of God’s saving act in Egypt. As with the other purity and offering rites, this is a ritual that points beyond itself to a greater truth: Jesus’ life is fully consecrated to God’s redemptive purpose. The law’s formula “as it is written” signals fidelity to Scripture. The verse sits within a larger pattern of devotion that marks Jesus’ early life, aligning him with the liturgical life of Israel while foreshadowing his unique vocation as the one who accomplishes salvation.
The holy designation of the firstborn ties Jesus to the priestly and prophetic roles anticipated in Israel’s history. The text emphasizes that Jesus’ life is not his own; it is dedicated to the Lord, fulfilling the purposes of the covenant. Luke is signaling that Jesus will become the focal point of Israel’s longing and God’s plan for redemption. The concept of holiness to the Lord lays the groundwork for understanding Jesus as the perfect sacrifice who sanctifies all who belong to Him. In baptismal and sacramental theology, similar language is echoed: believers are called as God’s holy people, set apart for service.
We, too, are called to live as those set apart for God. What does it look like in practice? Consider how you steward the hours of your day, the resources entrusted to you, and your relationships. Do you live with a sense that your life is consecrated to God’s purposes? Practical steps: begin each day with a brief confession of who owns your time and decisions; set one concrete act of holiness—perhaps a daily act of kindness, ethical decision at work, or a moment to center Scripture before screens. Parents can model this for children by naming the “holy use” of family routines: meals, chores, and rest harnessed for God’s glory. Let holiness not be a legal checklist but a joyful orientation of heart.
Cross-References: Numbers 8:17–18; Luke 2:22–24; Exodus 13:2; 1 Peter 1:14–16; Romans 12:1