Luke 2:36

Anna. Hanna, from the Heb. Channah, “Hannah” (see on 1 Sam. 1:2). This aged saint bears the same name as that of the mother of Samuel, the founder of the schools of the prophets. According to the apocryphal gospels and a tradition later adopted by the church, Mary had been reared in the Temple under the guardianship and guidance of Anna, who was supposedly her mother. This is simple fiction. There is nothing here to indicate that the two women had met previously. Anna’s continuing presence in the Temple speaks eloquently of the love with which she served the Lord. The biographical detail with which Luke speaks of an obscure Bible personage such as Anna testifies to the historical quality of his account.

A prophetess. The gift of prophecy was from time to time bestowed upon devout women as well as upon men. Among the prophetesses were such women as Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Isaiah’s wife (Isa. 8:3), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), and also the four virgin daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9).

Of a great age. Literally, “advanced in many days.” Anna was at the very least 84 years old (see on v. 37), and more likely well over 100 years old.