Simeon Sees God’s Salvation

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, (A)waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not (B)see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came (C)by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, (D)now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes (E)have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 (F)A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 [a]And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the (G)fall and rising of many in Israel, and for (H)a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, (I)a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of (J)Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow [b]of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers (K)night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to [c]the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who (L)looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 (M)And the Child grew and became strong [d]in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

41 His parents went to (N)Jerusalem (O)every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the (P)custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the (Q)days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And [e]Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And (R)all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be (S)about (T)My Father’s business?” 50 But (U)they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was [f]subject to them, but His mother (V)kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus (W)increased in wisdom and stature, (X)and in favor with God and men.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:33 NU And His father and mother
  2. Luke 2:37 NU until she was eighty-four
  3. Luke 2:38 NU God
  4. Luke 2:40 NU omits in spirit
  5. Luke 2:43 NU His parents
  6. Luke 2:51 obedient

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.(A) He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,(B) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,(C) 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,(D)
    you may now dismiss[a] your servant in peace.(E)
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,(F)
31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”(G)

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:(H) “This child is destined to cause the falling(I) 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. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet,(J) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[b](K) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(L) 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(M)

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.(N) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(O)

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.(P) 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed(Q) at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother(R) said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father(S) and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[c](T) 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.(U)

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them(V) and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.(W) 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.(X)

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:29 Or promised, / now dismiss
  2. Luke 2:37 Or then had been a widow for eighty-four years.
  3. Luke 2:49 Or be about my Father’s business