MPV Commentary

The circumcision of Jesus is recorded here for the first time in Scripture, and even then it is mentioned only briefly, as a way to emphasize His name, "Jesus," which means Saviour (Matthew 1:21; Acts 13:23). In this act of circumcision, we see a subtle reference to the idea that He was not just circumcised according to Jewish law, but also symbolically removed from sin. This is hinted at in Colossians 2:11, which says that Christ's baptism (or in this case, His circumcision) removes the body of sin through a spiritual circumcision. Jesus' willingness to be circumcised was part of His plan to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).

The significance of Jesus' circumcision is profound and often misunderstood. Since those who are circumcised are obligated to keep the entire law (Galatians 5:3), Jesus bore in His flesh the seal of a voluntary commitment to obey the whole law, which was only possible for Him because He was fully human since the fall. As one "made under the law" for our sake (Galatians 4:4-5), Jesus' circumcision pledged Him to an obedience that would redeem us and make us adopted sons.

In this light, we must regard Jesus' circumcision as a pledge of His future obedience, even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). This is consistent with the idea that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).