Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, is identified by Luke as a prophetess. She encountered the infant Jesus in the Temple and spoke of Him to all who were looking for redemption.
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Anna appears at the moment when the infant Jesus is brought to the Temple, where Luke identifies her as a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She had lived with her husband for seven years after her virginity, after which she became a widow and was of a great age. Devoted to fasting and prayer, day and night she worshiped God, demonstrating a life marked by reliance on the LORD and sustained devotion. As a prophetess, she stands in the line of women such as Miriam and Deborah (cf. Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4), figures through whom God communicated spiritual insight to His people. In that Temple moment, Anna recognized the infant Jesus and immediately connected Him with God's saving purpose. She spoke of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem, allowing the prophetic word to resonate alongside the promises of the Messiah. Her testimony shows that true ministry is measured not by age or social standing, but by faithfulness and holy expectation. Anna's account pairs with Simeon's song to form a double witness welcoming the Savior in the Temple. Her life stands as a portrait of perseverance—waiting on God through long years and testifying boldly when the promise was fulfilled. Through Luke's record, Anna endures as a New Testament model of faith, hope, and patient endurance.