Biblion Bible Commentary
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Simeon's Song
Luke 2:25-35
25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. · WEB
A man told he would not die before seeing the Christ takes him in his arms and asks to be dismissed.
Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him Luke 2:25.
He is not said to be a priest or an official. He is a man who was waiting, and the phrase for what he waited for — the consolation of Israel — comes out of Isaiah's comfort, comfort my people Isaiah 40:1. There were people in that city living on those chapters.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ Luke 2:26. A promise with a terminus in it, which means he had been waiting a long time and knew his waiting had a limit.
He came in the Spirit into the temple Luke 2:27. Nothing tells him which day. He is moved, and he goes, and a young couple with a five-week-old baby and two pigeons walk into the largest religious complex in the world on the same morning.
Then he received him into his arms and blessed God Luke 2:28.
"Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace" Luke 2:29. The words are a slave's. Master is the word for an owner, and releasing is what is done with a watchman whose shift has ended or a servant let go. He is not asking to die; he is reporting that his duty is discharged. The waiting was a post, and he has been relieved.
"For my eyes have seen your salvation" Luke 2:30. Not the one who will bring it — the salvation itself, held. And what he is holding weighs nine pounds and cannot lift its head.
"Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel" Luke 2:31–32.
The song is the book's whole argument in two lines, spoken in the temple court before the ministry begins. The nations are named first, and they are not merely to be shown the light — the light is for revelation to them, so they are among its recipients rather than its spectators. Israel's glory is the second clause, not the sole one. This is Isaiah again, where the servant is given as a light to the nations so that salvation reaches the end of the earth Isaiah 49:6.
Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him Luke 2:33. They have had an angel each and a field full of shepherds, and they are still astonished. The wonder does not wear off in this chapter.
"Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against" Luke 2:34.
Then the second half, which is the reason the passage is not sentimental. He will divide people. Some will fall over him and some will be raised, and he is a sign that will be spoken against — the argument is not incidental to what he is, it is predicted from the outset.
"Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" Luke 2:35.
The only word spoken to the mother is this one, and it is not softened. The clause about hearts being revealed explains the whole prophecy: what he does is bring what is inside people to the surface, and that process will go through her as well. She is not exempted from what her son costs. Thirty years later she is standing at the edge of a crowd that wants him dead.
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