Presentation (Bible) - Definition

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is described in the Gospel of Luke (2:22-40). Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to dedicate him to God (Cf. Ex 13:2). The feast also celebrates Mary's return to ritual purity after giving birth, in accord with the proscriptions of the Hebrew Bible.

After the presentation, the family encountered the old man Simeon, who prayed the Nunc Dimittis and then prophesied about the child. They then met the prophetess Anna (Bible), who also praised God because of the child.

The Presentation is celebrated with a feast day on February 2, forty days after Christmas.

Pope John Paul II has connected the feast day with the renewal of religious vows.