With these verses the Lucan birth narrative comes to a close and the Holy Family enters into a scene that is counterpart to the naming and dedication of John (1:57-80). Luke has an emphasis on the Jewishness of Jesus and his family. Five times in our text we are told that they observed the Law (vv. 22, 23, 24, 27, 39). Just before the Gospel for the Presentation of the Lord begins (v.22), Jesus has been circumcised (v.21). In v.39 we read, “When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord” – only then did the family return to Nazareth where the child “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of the God was upon him.” Following our text, we are told that Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover as was their “habit.”  As Jesus’ life begins with fulfilling the Law and coming to the temple in Jerusalem, so the Gospel ends with similar themes. Jesus’ last speech begins with: “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” (24:44).