Simeon
He waited all his life for God’s promise, then held it in his arms.
New Testament · 1st century BC · Luke · Also known as Simeon of Jerusalem
About Simeon
Simeon lived in Jerusalem, "just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him." The Spirit had revealed that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Led by the Spirit into the temple on the day Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus, he took him in his arms and praised God: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace… For mine eyes have seen thy salvation." He blessed the family and warned Mary that "a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also."
Forty days after a firstborn son’s birth, parents came to the temple to present him to the Lord and offer a sacrifice. Simeon’s song, the Nunc Dimittis ("now lettest thou… depart"), has been sung in evening worship for centuries. Luke never says Simeon was old, though his words suggest it.
The story
Waiting for the consolation of Israel
"There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ."
Luke 2:25-26
Mine eyes have seen
Led by the Spirit into the temple, Simeon took the child Jesus "up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation… A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."
Luke 2:27-32
A sword shall pierce
Simeon blessed Joseph and Mary, and said to Mary, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Luke 2:33-35
Key moments
- Waiting: For the consolation of Israel. (Luke 2:25)
- Promised by the Spirit: He would see the Christ. (Luke 2:26)
- Holds the child: "Mine eyes have seen thy salvation." (Luke 2:30)
- Warns Mary: "A sword shall pierce through thy own soul." (Luke 2:35)
Questions about Simeon
In meetBible these answers are given in Simeon’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
How did you know the baby was the Christ?
Luke credits the Holy Spirit throughout: "the Holy Ghost was upon him," it was "revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost" that he would see the Lord’s Christ, and "he came by the Spirit into the temple" at just the right moment. Scripture doesn’t describe anything more about how I recognised him.
What did you mean by "a sword shall pierce"?
I told Mary, "this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Luke doesn’t explain it. Christians have long connected it with Mary’s grief at the cross.
Were you an old man?
Luke never says. Paintings usually show me old, because I said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace," and because God had promised I wouldn’t die before seeing the Christ. But my age isn’t recorded.
Connected people
- Jesus: Held him as a baby
- Mary: Blessed and warned her
- Joseph of Nazareth: Blessed him
- Anna: Also in the temple that day
Read it yourself
Start with Luke 2:25-35.