• Luke 2:24
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 24 καὶ and τοῦ of the δοῦναι to give θυσίαν sacrifice κατὰ according to τὸ the εἰρημένον having been said ἐν in τῷ the νόμῳ law Κυρίου, of Lord, Ζεῦγος Pair τρυγόνων of turtledoves ἢ or δύο two νοσσοὺς nestlings περιστερῶν. of pigeons.

  • Luke Study Notes—Chapter 2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 2:24

      they offered a sacrifice: Under the Mosaic Law, a woman remained ceremonially unclean for a set length of time after giving birth. Once the time had elapsed, a burnt offering and a sin offering were made for her.​—Le 12:1-8.

      the Law of Jehovah: See study note on Lu 2:23 and App. C3 introduction; Lu 2:24.

      a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons: The Law allowed for women of little means to offer birds instead of a sheep, which would have been far costlier. (Le 12:6, 8) Clearly, Joseph and Mary were poor at this time, which shows that the astrologers came, not when Jesus was a newborn, but when he was older. (Mt 2:9-11) If Joseph and Mary had already received the costly gifts that those men brought, the couple could readily have afforded a sheep for sacrifice when they went to the temple.