Luke 2:36

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;

Luke 2:36 (KJV)

Context

Luke 2:36 appears in the account of Jesus being presented at the temple in Jerusalem. The verse introduces Anna, a prophetess, and gives her family background: she was the daughter of Phanuel and belonged to the tribe of Asher. This places her within the heritage of Israel and shows that the Messiah’s coming concerned all the tribes, not only Judah.

The name Anna is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hannah, the mother of Samuel. This connection is fitting, for Hannah was also a faithful woman who devoted herself to God’s service.

Meaning

The verse describes Anna as being “of a great age” and notes that she had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. The phrase “from her virginity” means from the time of her marriage. The text does not give her exact age here, but the following verse says she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, indicating that she had been a widow for many decades.

Calling Anna a prophetess signals a special spiritual role: she was entrusted with receiving and communicating God’s messages. Her inclusion in the Gospel demonstrates that God works through both men and women to accomplish His purposes. Her tribal affiliation with Asher, a northern tribe, underscores the universal scope of the gospel.

Biblical connections

Anna’s long widowhood and constant presence in the temple prepared her to recognize the infant Jesus as the promised Messiah. When she saw Him, she gave thanks to God and spoke about Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Her testimony makes her one of the first witnesses to proclaim the Savior’s arrival.

Application

Anna’s example encourages believers to remain faithful in every season of life, even in times of loss and old age. Her devotion to worship, fasting, and prayer kept her spiritually alert, so that she was ready to recognize and proclaim God’s work when it appeared.

Reflection

Luke 2:36 presents Anna as a venerable, widowed prophetess whose lifelong devotion and prophetic insight provide a powerful model. Her story reminds Christians that God values faithful service at every age and that He often uses humble, devoted people to bear witness to His salvation.