34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. Jesus Presented in the Temple This is what Simeon’s prophecy is about, though in a spiritual sense. There is an interesting constellation of images here. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, Simeon also strikes a more somber note, prophesying to Mary that with her joy would come anguish. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.
And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”, Footnotes: He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: The Prophecy of Simeon 25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace. The Spirit has made known to Simeon that he will see the Messiah before he dies, and the Spirit reveals to him that this very baby, who has come as a “light for revelation to the Gentiles,” is the one (32). Are there people you will be celebrating with today who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ?
Simeon is waiting for the consolation (Greek paraklēsis) of Israel (25), the same word that is used in the Greek translation of Isaiah 40:1, where our English translations have “comfort.” We think immediately of Jesus’ promise of the “Paraclete,” “Comforter” (AV) or Advocate (NIV). And a sword will pierce your very soul.”. We are there too, for all of us brood over his violent death. New Living Translation (NLT), and he is the glory of your people Israel!”, Upgrade to Bible Gateway Plus, and access the NEW, NLT Life Application Large-Print Study Bible, Third Edition--soft leather-look, black/onyx, NLT Teen Life Application Study Bible, Softcover, NLT Dancing in the Desert Devotional Bible: A Refreshing Spiritual Journey with God's People, hardcover, NLT Life Application Large-Print Study Bible, Third Edition--soft leather-look, teal (indexed), NLT Premium Gift Bible--soft leather-look, teal.
There is much weight in Simeon’s words. 21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Isn't Simeon’s prophecy (Luke 22-35) part of the Joyful Mysteries, in the decade devoted to our Lord’s Presentation in the temple?” Well if that mystery is joyful, it is truly bittersweet. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. With Simeon our understanding of who this baby is and what he will do rises to a new level. “Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; / Jesus, to thee be all glory given” (John Francis Wade, 1711–1786). b Luke 2:24 Lev. He was well-versed in the Scriptures. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, Jesus’ work lies ahead, far greater in scope than any of the participants mentioned so far in this account. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. a Luke 2:23 Exodus 13:2,12 Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. Lord, give us the eyes of Simeon that we may see beyond what the average onlooker initially sees. The imagery is again taken from Isaiah. Putting all this together, we see Simeon as someone longing to see God come—not in judgment but tenderly in grace. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. Sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, he arrives at the temple just about the time that Joseph and Mary enter to present Jesus to the Lord. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. Simeon is introduced as a righteous man who observed the Law.
Not surprisingly, then, Luke emphasizes that “the Holy Spirit was on him” (25). and the glory of your people Israel.”, 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, Virtual Benefit Event – The Bible: Your Source for 2020 Vision. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. The Holy Spirit was upon him26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. All rights reserved. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. On one hand, the devout Simeon, led by the Holy Spirit, experienced the true joy of seeing the Messiah before his … 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. As a mother knows everything about her children, and suffers not only for, but with her children, Mary, in an extraordinary way, was so one with Jesus in His sufferings and death that she is rightly called Co-Redemptrix. 36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. The Spirit has made known to Simeon that he will see the Messiah before he dies, and the Spirit reveals to him that this very baby, who has come as a “light for revelation to the Gentiles,” is the one (32). Simeon also strikes a more somber note, prophesying to Mary that with her joy would come anguish. The imagery is again taken from Isaiah. There would still be those who would oppose the Messiah, an opposition that would pierce her soul. 12:8 He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.30 I have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared for all people.32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”, 33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.
All rights reserved worldwide. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. New International Version (NIV) It is a prophecy of the universal motherhood that will be given to Mary in the agony of Calvary. c Luke 2:29 Or promised, / now dismiss. [a] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a]), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[b]. This section draws heavily on Isaiah 40–66. Luke continues to draw us in to read and ponder the rest of the story.