New Testament
Luke 2:39
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, after fulfilling all the religious obligations set by the law, Joseph and Mary return to their home in Nazareth, a town in Galilee.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Once Joseph and Mary had completed everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their hometown of Nazareth.
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, after fulfilling all the religious obligations set by the law, Joseph and Mary return to their home in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. This indicates their commitment to following God's commandments and highlights the importance of obedience in their lives. The phrase 'completed everything required by the law of the Lord' suggests that they participated in rituals such as purification and presenting Jesus at the temple, which were significant in Jewish tradition. Their return to Nazareth marks a transition in Jesus' early life, setting the stage for his upbringing in a humble environment. This moment emphasizes the ordinary yet profound nature of Jesus' early years, showing that even the Son of God experienced a normal childhood in a small town. It also reflects the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the Messiah's origins, as Jesus would grow up in Nazareth, fulfilling the identity of a humble servant.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 2:39 to your life
This verse encourages us to prioritize obedience to God's commands in our lives. Just as Joseph and Mary fulfilled their responsibilities, we should strive to live according to our faith and values, even in everyday situations. Our actions can reflect our commitment to God.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 2:39 mean?
Luke 2:39 describes Joseph and Mary returning to Nazareth after fulfilling their religious duties, highlighting their obedience to God's law and the significance of Jesus' humble beginnings.
What is the significance of Nazareth in Luke 2:39?
Nazareth is significant in Luke 2:39 as it represents Jesus' upbringing in a humble environment, fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah's origins and emphasizing the ordinary aspects of His early life.
What religious obligations did Joseph and Mary fulfill in Luke 2:39?
In Luke 2:39, Joseph and Mary fulfilled religious obligations such as purification rituals and presenting Jesus at the temple, which were important practices in Jewish tradition.
How does Luke 2:39 reflect the theme of obedience?
Luke 2:39 reflects the theme of obedience by showing Joseph and Mary diligently following God's commandments, serving as an example of commitment to faith and responsibilities.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
Unlock the full Luke summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.