Day 40 -- Presenting Jesus in the Temple

When Jesus was 40 days old his mother was clean and could accompany her new son into the temple at Jerusalem. The oldest Church holiday not based on Old Testament tradition remembers Mary's 40 days of cleansing and helps confirm when this happened.

Background

Luke gives several other details regarding the birth of Jesus.

43 Luke 2:22-24 22ܘܟܕ ܐܬܡܠܝܘ ܝܘܡܬܐ ܕܬܕܟܝܬܗܘܢ ܐܝܟ ܢܡܘܤܐ ܕܡܘܫܐ ܐܤܩܘܗܝ ܠܐܘܪܫܠܡ ܕܢܩܝܡܘܢܝܗܝ ܩܕܡ ܡܪܝܐ ܀ 23ܐܝܟ ܕܟܬܝܒ ܒܢܡܘܤܐ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܕܟܠ ܕܟܪܐ ܦܬܚ ܡܪܒܥܐ ܩܕܝܫܐ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܢܬܩܪܐ ܀ 24ܘܕܢܬܠܘܢ ܕܒܚܬܐ ܐܝܟܢܐ ܕܐܡܝܪ ܒܢܡܘܤܐ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܙܘܓܐ ܕܫܘܦܢܝܢܐ ܐܘ ܬܪܝܢ ܦܪܘܓܐ ܕܝܘܢܐ ܀ (SYP)

43 Luke 2:22-24 22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. (KJV)

43 Luke 2:22-24 22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or 2 young pigeons. (KJV/NC)

43 Luke 2:22-24 22And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. (ASV)

43 Luke 2:22-24 22And when the days for their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord, 24And to offer a sacrifice, as it is commanded in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. (LAM)

43 Luke 2:22-24 22And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." (RSV)

43 Luke 2:22-24 22When 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 firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."(NIV)

43 Luke 2:22-24 22When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord'), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, 'A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.'(WEB)

43 Luke 2:22-24 22When the days of their purification according to the Torah of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Torah of the Lord, 'Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord'), 24and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the Torah of the Lord, 'A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.'(WEB/HNV)

43 Luke 2:22-24 22And when the days for their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord, 24And to offer a sacrifice, as it is commanded in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves or 2 young pigeons. (BRB)

The Law also prescribed he be presented in the Temple on (or after) the 40th day. They presented him "at the temple" as the Law of Moses had prescribed. What does the Law prescribe? That the child is to be presented on or after the 40th day from the son's birth. Why 40 days? Because that is how long the mother is unclean after giving birth and she cannot accompany the son until the end of these 40 days. When daughters are born the Law prescribes a period of 80 days uncleanness.

The following report shows day 40, when February 17 is the start day.

Report on Jesus' 40th day
DayBible DateModern DateRoman DateNumber
Jesus' birth date:
Fri10989/8/29 AA 16 Feb 1 NS 17 Feb 754 AUC AA:4008629
1489/8/29 FE  18 Feb 0 OS 17 Feb 1 AD JD:1721472
Jesus' 40th day:
Tue10989/10/8 AA 27 Mar 1 NS 28 Mar 754 AUC AA:4008668
1489/10/8 FE  29 Mar 1 OS 28 Mar 1 AD JD:1721511

Not obvious in this report is the Biblical date for this event. The very same date 30 years later is the day Jesus will be crucified and die. We explore this 30 year interval in Life Length.

Passover

This 40th day is very close to the same date when the Passover would be held in Jerusalem. Jesus is probably presented at or very near to the Passover in 754 AUC. The Jewish calendar of the period was constructed by observation, not by computation as used in the modern Jewish calendar so it is not possible to know exactly when Passover fell in this ancient year. That this date is late March and this is when Passover was generally held is as close as we can get.

Large crowds would be assembling in in Jerusalem for Passover. There are two clues that Jesus was indeed presented in the temple at or near Passover. The first clue springs right from the following text. Two people are recorded in Luke as having given prophetic words over the baby Jesus. The first, Simeon, reported the following:

43 Luke 2:25-35 25ܓܒܪܐ ܕܝܢ ܚܕ ܐܝܬ ܗܘܐ ܒܐܘܪܫܠܡ ܫܡܗ ܗܘܐ ܫܡܥܘܢ ܘܓܒܪܐ ܗܢܐ ܟܐܝܢ ܗܘܐ ܘܙܕܝܩ ܘܡܤܟܐ ܗܘܐ ܠܒܘܝܐܗ ܕܐܝܤܪܝܠ ܘܪܘܚܐ ܕܩܘܕܫܐ ܐܝܬ ܗܘܬ ܥܠܘܗܝ ܀ 26ܘܐܡܝܪ ܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܡܢ ܪܘܚܐ ܕܩܘܕܫܐ ܕܠܐ ܢܚܙܐ ܡܘܬܐ ܥܕܡܐ ܕܢܚܙܐ ܠܡܫܝܚܗ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܀ 27ܗܘ ܗܢܐ ܐܬܐ ܗܘܐ ܒܪܘܚܐ ܠܗܝܟܠܐ ܘܟܕ ܡܥܠܝܢ ܠܗ ܐܒܗܘܗܝ ܠܝܫܘܥ ܛܠܝܐ ܕܢܥܒܕܘܢ ܚܠܦܘܗܝ ܐܝܟܢܐ ܕܦܩܝܕ ܒܢܡܘܤܐ ܀ 28ܩܒܠܗ ܥܠ ܕܪܥܘܗܝ ܘܒܪܟ ܠܐܠܗܐ ܘܐܡܪ ܀ 29ܡܟܝܠ ܫܪܐ ܐܢܬ ܠܗ ܠܥܒܕܟ ܡܪܝ ܐܝܟ ܡܠܬܟ ܒܫܠܡܐ ܀ 30ܕܗܐ ܚܙܝ ܥܝܢܝ ܚܢܢܟ ܀ 31ܗܘ ܕܛܝܒܬ ܒܦܪܨܘܦܐ ܕܟܠܗܝܢ ܐܡܘܬܐ ܀ 32ܢܘܗܪܐ ܠܓܠܝܢܐ ܕܥܡܡܐ ܘܫܘܒܚܐ ܠܥܡܟ ܐܝܤܪܝܠ ܀ 33ܝܘܤܦ ܕܝܢ ܘܐܡܗ ܬܡܝܗܝܢ ܗܘܘ ܥܠ ܐܝܠܝܢ ܕܡܬܡܠܠܢ ܗܘܝ ܥܠܘܗܝ ܀ 34ܘܒܪܟ ܐܢܘܢ ܫܡܥܘܢ ܘܐܡܪ ܠܡܪܝܡ ܐܡܗ ܗܐ ܗܢܐ ܤܝܡ ܠܡܦܘܠܬܐ ܘܠܩܝܡܐ ܕܤܓܝܐܐ ܒܐܝܤܪܝܠ ܘܠܐܬܐ ܕܚܪܝܢܐ ܀ 35ܘܒܢܦܫܟܝ ܕܝܢ ܕܝܠܟܝ ܬܥܒܪ ܪܘܡܚܐ ܐܝܟ ܕܢܬܓܠܝܢ ܡܚܫܒܬܐ ܕܠܒܘܬܐ ܕܤܓܝܐܐ ܀ (SYP)

43 Luke 2:25-35 25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lords Christ. 27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (KJV)

43 Luke 2:25-35 25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (KJV/NC)

43 Luke 2:25-35 25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, 28then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord,

According to thy word, in peace;

30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;

32A light for revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of thy people Israel.

33And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him; 34and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; 35yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. (ASV)

43 Luke 2:25-35 25¶ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simon; and this man was pious and righteous, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it was said to him by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death, until he saw the Anointed of the Lord. 27This man was led by the Spirit to the temple; and when the parents brought in the boy Jesus, to do for him according to what is commanded in the law, 28He received him in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Now dismiss thy servant, O my Lord, in peace, according to thy word; 30For behold, mine eyes have already seen thy mercies, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, 32A light for a revelation to the Gentiles and a glory to thy people Israel. 33And Joseph and Jesus' mother marveled about these things which were spoken concerning him. 34And Simon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, Behold, this one is appointed for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign of dispute; 35And a sword will pierce through your own soul, so that the thoughts of the hearts of many may be revealed. (LAM)

43 Luke 2:25-35 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."

33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."(RSV)

43 Luke 2:25-35 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

33The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."(NIV)

43 Luke 2:25-35 25Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29'Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
According to your word, in peace;

30For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

32A light for revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of your people Israel.'

33Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, 34and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, 'Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.'(WEB)

43 Luke 2:25-35 25Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 27He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Yeshua, that they might do concerning him according to the requirement of the Torah, 28then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29'Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;

30for my eyes have seen your salvation [yeshu`ah],
31which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

32a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.'

33Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him, 34and Simeon blessed them, and said to Miriam, his mother, 'Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.'(WEB/HNV)

43 Luke 2:25-35 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simon; and this man was pious and righteous, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26And it was said to him by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death, until he saw the Anointed of the Lord. 27This man was led by the Spirit to the temple; and when the parents brought in the boy Jesus, to do for him according to what is commanded in the law, 28He received him in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Now dismiss your servant, Oh my Lord, in peace, according to your word; 30For look, my eyes have already seen your mercies, 31Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32A light for a revelation to the Gentiles and a glory to your people Israel.

33And Joseph and Jesus' mother marveled about these things which were spoken concerning him. 34And Simon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, Look, this one is appointed for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, and for a sign of dispute; 35And a sword will pierce through your own soul, so that the thoughts of the hearts of many may be revealed. (BRB)

The sense here is Simeon is in Jerusalem for a special occation, likely the Passover of that year.

Anna also spoke over Jesus. The following is the account.

43 Luke 2:36-38 36ܘܚܢܐ ܕܝܢ ܢܒܝܬܐ ܒܪܬܗ ܕܦܢܘܐܝܠ ܡܢ ܫܒܛܐ ܕܐܫܝܪ ܐܦ ܗܝ ܩܫܝܫܬ ܒܝܘܡܬܗ ܗܘܬ ܘܫܒܥ ܫܢܝܢ ܥܡ ܒܥܠܗ ܚܝܬ ܡܢ ܒܬܘܠܘܬܗ ܀ 37ܘܗܘܬ ܐܪܡܠܬܐ ܐܝܟ ܫܢܝܢ ܬܡܢܐܝܢ ܘܐܪܒܥ ܘܠܐ ܦܪܩܐ ܗܘܬ ܡܢ ܗܝܟܠܐ ܘܒܨܘܡܐ ܘܒܨܠܘܬܐ ܦܠܚܐ ܗܘܬ ܒܐܝܡܡܐ ܘܒܠܠܝܐ ܀ 38ܘܐܦ ܗܝ ܩܡܬ ܒܗ ܒܫܥܬܐ ܘܐܘܕܝܬ ܠܡܪܝܐ ܘܡܡܠܠܐ ܗܘܬ ܥܠܘܗܝ ܥܡ ܟܠܢܫ ܕܡܤܟܐ ܗܘܐ ܠܦܘܪܩܢܗ ܕܐܘܪܫܠܡ ܀ (SYP)

43 Luke 2:36-38 36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37And 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. 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (KJV)

43 Luke 2:36-38 36And there was 1 Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband 7 years from her virginity; 37And she was a widow of about 84 years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (KJV/NC)

43 Luke 2:36-38 36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. 38And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. (ASV)

43 Luke 2:36-38 36And Hannah the prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, was of a great age; and she had lived seven years with her husband from the days of her virginity. 37Then she became a widow for about eighty-four years, and she never left the temple, and with fasting and prayer she worshipped day and night. 38She also stood up at that hour and gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke concerning him to every man who was looking forward to the salvation of Jerusalem. (LAM)

43 Luke 2:36-38 36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.(RSV)

43 Luke 2:36-38 36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(NIV)

43 Luke 2:36-38 36There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.(WEB)

43 Luke 2:36-38 36There was one Hannah, a prophetess, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, 37and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day. 38Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.(WEB/HNV)

43 Luke 2:36-38 36And Hannah the prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, was of a great age; and she had lived 7 years with her husband from the days of her virginity. 37Then she became a widow for about 84 years, and she never left the temple, and with fasting and prayer she worshiped day and night. 38She also stood up at that hour and gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke concerning him to every man who was looking forward to the salvation of Jerusalem. (BRB)

Anna, was very old and never left the temple. She stayed there worshiping and praying every day. Simeon, we are told, was just "in the city", without the same stress as Anna who lived there.

What would have brought Simeon to the city? How about Passover? He was one of those in the crowd, and as the Holy Spirit led him, he entered the courts and found the baby Jesus and gave his word of prophecy over the child.

This 40 day period before Passover is unusual in that it does not follow any holiday pattern from the Old Testament. More interesting still the very early Christian church established a holiday which did align with the 40 days before Easter, the Christian name for Passover.

That season? Lent.

The Christian Season of Lent

The other clue that this really was 40 days before Passover, or at least before the Passover crowds is the ancient church holiday of Lent. This is a time of purification and preparation and is celebrated each year in the 40 days before Easter.

Easter is the church holiday where Jesus' resurrection is celebrated, and is aligned generally with the Jewish Passover. Unlike the Easter celebration, which aligns with Passover from the Mosaic Law, nothing about Lent aligns with the religious calendar of the Old Testament.

The season of Lent is also very old, having been practiced by the Church from its very inception. Other holidays would be added later, like Christmas, without regard to the calendar of events surrounding Jesus' birth. Lent, though, goes all the way back to the start and lands where it does, the 40 days before Passover, because of something that happened in the narratives.

Lent aligns well with the 40 day cleansing time of a woman who has just given birth to a son. This holiday is most likely the collective church memory of the 40 days between the time Jesus was born and the time he was presented in the temple on his 40th day.

The Lent dates suggest that the first century church understood that Jesus was born 40 days before Passover and that his mother went through 40 days of cleansing before he could be presented in the temple. Mary would still be accompanying Jesus in his public ministry and was the likely source of the material recorded for us surrounding the birth of Jesus. Perhaps she kept this season throughout her life and passed the practice on to the other disciples?

Who does the Bible say are Jesus' true mother and brothers? Those who hear God's word and put it into practice.1 Who is that? Believers in Jesus himself. How did the ancient church calendar reflect the believer's need to be cleansed? By instituting a holiday, no, more a season, when we each are to go through similar cleansing.


1Luke 8:21