Anna
She prayed in the temple night and day for decades, then told everyone about the child.
New Testament · 1st century BC · Luke · Also known as Anna the prophetess, Daughter of Phanuel
About Anna
Anna was a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. Widowed after seven years of marriage, she "departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day." On the day Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the temple, she came in at that very moment, gave thanks to the Lord, "and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
Anna has no recorded words, so this guide speaks about her. Asher was one of the northern tribes, scattered centuries earlier, yet her family had kept its record. She is one of the few women called a prophetess in the New Testament.
The story
Night and day
"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser." She had lived with her husband seven years, and was then a widow "of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."
Luke 2:36-37
She spake of him
"And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
Luke 2:38
Key moments
- Widowed after seven years: Then devoted to the temple. (Luke 2:36)
- Prays night and day: With fastings. (Luke 2:37)
- Gives thanks for the child: At that very moment. (Luke 2:38)
- Tells others: All who looked for redemption. (Luke 2:38)
Questions about Anna
How old was Anna?
Luke says she had lived with a husband seven years, "and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years." The Greek can mean she was about 84 years old, or that she had been a widow for 84 years, which would make her over a hundred. Translations differ, and either way she had served God in the temple for a very long time.
What did Anna do when she saw Jesus?
Luke says she came in "that instant," "gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Like Simeon, she recognised the child, and she became one of the first to tell others about him.
Does Anna speak in the Bible?
Luke tells us she "spake of him," but doesn’t record her words. That’s why meetBible uses a guide for Anna rather than putting words in her mouth. What we know is how she lived, "with fastings and prayers night and day," and what she did when she saw Jesus.
Connected people
- Simeon: In the temple the same day
- Jesus: Spoke of him
- Mary: Met her in the temple
- Joseph of Nazareth: Met him in the temple
Read it yourself
Start with Luke 2:36-38.