Though the phrasing of the NIV is somewhat ambiguous, the Greek text affirms that Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day as stipulated in the law (Leviticus 12:3). Jesus is circumcised because he was born to Jewish parents and living in the time of the old covenant (Galatians 4:4–5).1 For God’s old covenant people, circumcision was the sign of belonging (Genesis 17:1-27). In itself, it represented the need for the removal of sin (cutting the foreskin), atonement for sin (shedding of blood) and regeneration by God’s Spirit (the eighth day symbolising a new start).2,3 Though Jesus was sinless (Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 4:15), he was nevertheless circumcised so as to fully identify with sinful Israel.4
21 Le huitième jour, auquel l'enfant devait être circoncis, étant arrivé, on lui donna le nom de Jésus, nom qu'avait indiqué l'ange avant qu'il soit conçu dans le sein de sa mère.