Le temps de JésusProphetWidowWorshiperWitnessAbout 84 years old, or possibly over 100, at Jesus' presentation in the temple
When the promised child was brought into the temple in Jerusalem, an elderly prophetess stood ready to receive him. Anna, the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, had spent decades in uninterrupted prayer and fasting after becoming a widow just seven years into her marriage. Luke paints a picture of a woman whose entire life was directed toward God in expectation. As Simeon completed his prophecy over the child Jesus, Anna stepped forward, praised God, and proclaimed to all who were waiting for Jerusalem’s redemption that God’s promises were now being fulfilled. That she belonged to the tribe of Asher—counted among the northern tribes lost after the Assyrian exile—underscores that God had preserved a faithful remnant from all His people. Together, Simeon and Anna form two witnesses, man and woman, confirming that God’s salvation has now broken into history. Anna’s life story shows that long, faithful waiting on God is not in vain: those who endure in prayer will ultimately see the fulfillment of what God has promised.
Anna was the daughter of Penuel from the tribe of Asher. She had been married for seven years before becoming a widow, and was now very old. She never left the temple but served God with fasting and prayer night and day through many long years.
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
Jesus' Presentation in the Temple – The Setting for Anna's Testimony
According to the Law of Moses, Jesus was brought to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord. It was on this occasion – when the purification offering was brought and the child was dedicated – that Anna saw the promised child.
Simeon's prophecy as a precursor to Anna's testimony
Just before Anna came forward, the elderly Simeon had taken the infant Jesus in his arms and prophesied about him. He told Mary that the child was set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and that a sword would pierce her own soul. Anna's testimony followed immediately after and confirmed Simeon's prophetic words.
34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed,
Anna recognizes the infant Jesus and testifies to redemption
At the very moment Simeon prophesied, Anna came forward and praised God. She spoke about the infant Jesus to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Her testimony makes her one of the very first to proclaim the coming of the Messiah.
Anna as a representative of the tribe of Asher and all Israel
Anna belonged to the tribe of Asher, one of the ten northern tribes that many considered lost after the Assyrian exile in 722 BC. Her presence in the temple and her prophetic testimony show that God still had faithful worshippers from all the tribes of Israel, and that his promises applied to the entire people.
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,