The Redemption of Jesus
The 40 day old Jesus is taken to the Temple in Jerusalem for the Jewish religious ritual of redemption. According to the Law of Moses, this is an obligatory ceremony for baby boys.
Background Reading:
Luke 2:22-24
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every first born male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." See - Leviticus 12.1-8
More Information:
- Two of the many rituals that were performed at the Temple:
- The redemption of the first born at a cost of 5 shekels. See Exodus 3:2, Numbers 8:17, Numbers 18:15-16
- The purification of a woman after child birth: A pair of doves or two young pigeons were used by the poorer class and a lamb was used by the rich. See Leviticus 12:1-8; Exodus 13:2; Numbers 18:15-16