37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[1] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Other Translations of 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.

English Standard Version

37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.Or as a widow for eighty-four years She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

The Message

37 and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers.

New King James Version

37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

New Living Translation

37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 2:37

Commentary on Luke 2:36-40

(Read Luke 2:36-40)

There was much evil then in the church, yet God left not himself without witness. Anna always dwelt in, or at least attended at, the temple. She was always in a praying spirit; gave herself to prayer, and in all things she served God. Those to whom Christ is made known, have great reason to thank the Lord. She taught others concerning him. Let the example of the venerable saints, Simeon and Anna, give courage to those whose hoary heads are, like theirs, a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. The lips soon to be silent in the grave, should be showing forth the praises of the Redeemer. In all things it became Christ to be made like unto his brethren, therefore he passed through infancy and childhood as other children, yet without sin, and with manifest proofs of the Divine nature in him. By the Spirit of God all his faculties performed their offices in a manner not seen in any one else. Other children have foolishness bound in their hearts, which appears in what they say or do, but he was filled with wisdom, by the influence of the Holy Ghost; every thing he said and did, was wisely said and wisely done, above his years. Other children show the corruption of their nature; nothing but the grace of God was upon him.