• Luke 2:37
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 37 καὶ and αὐτὴ she χήρα widow ἕως until ἐτῶν years ὀγδοήκοντα eighty- τεσσάρων, four, ἣ who οὐκ not ἀφίστατο was missing from τοῦ the ἱεροῦ temple νηστείαις to fastings καὶ and δεήσεσιν supplications λατρεύουσα rendering sacred service νύκτα night καὶ and ἡμέραν. day.

  • Luke 2:37
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 37 and she had been a widow for as long as eighty-four years,—who left not the temple with fastings and supplications rendering divine service night and day;—

  • Luke 2:37
    King James Version

    • 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

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

    • 2:37

      never missing from the temple: Anna was constantly at the temple, possibly from the time the temple gates were opened in the morning until they were closed in the evening. Her sacred service included fasting and supplications, indicating that she mourned over the prevailing conditions and longed for change, like other faithful servants of God. (Ezr 10:1; Ne 1:4; La 1:16) For centuries the Jews had been subject to foreign powers, and deteriorating religious conditions had reached even to the temple and its priesthood. Those conditions could well explain why Anna and others were earnestly “waiting for Jerusalem’s deliverance.”​—Lu 2:38.

      rendering sacred service: Or “worshipping.”​—See study note on Lu 1:74.