Who is Anna in the Infancy Narrative?

• A. A young shepherd who first hears the angels.
• B. An elderly prophetess who recognizes Jesus as the Messiah when he is presented in the Temple.
• C. A priest who administers at the Temple.
• D. A disciple who follows Jesus after his baptism.

Answer: (B)

In Luke’s infancy narrative, Anna is introduced as an elderly prophetess who recognizes Jesus as the Messiah during his presentation at the Temple. She is described as a widow in her advanced years who never left the Temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayers. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to present him to the Lord, Anna came, gave thanks to God, and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. This characterization—an aged, faithful woman who prophesies about Jesus and announces his significance to the faithful—is what makes her identity clear. The other roles described belong to different figures in the Nativity story: shepherds at Jesus’ birth, a priest like Zechariah, or disciples who follow Jesus later on.