Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,(A) looking forward to Israel’s consolation,[a](B) and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit(C) that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.(D) 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered[b] the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:

29 Now, Master,
You can dismiss Your slave in peace,
as You promised.
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation.(E)
31 You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples—
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles[c](F)
and glory to Your people Israel.(G)

33 His father and mother[d] were amazed at what was being said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel(H) and to be a sign that will be opposed[e] 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts[f] of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna’s Testimony

36 There was also a prophetess,(I) Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.(J) She was well along in years,[g] having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,[h](K) 37 and was a widow for 84 years.[i] She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.(L) 38 At that very moment,[j] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.[k](M)

The Family’s Return to Nazareth

39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.(N) 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him.(O)

In His Father’s House

41 Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.(P) 42 When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.(Q) 43 After those days were over,(R) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents[l] did not know it. 44 Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46 After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him,(S) “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”(T)

49 “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”[m] 50 But they did not understand what He said to them.(U)

In Favor with God and with People

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.(V) 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.(W)

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:25 The coming of the Messiah with His salvation for the nation; Is 40:1; 61:2; Lk 2:26,30
  2. Luke 2:27 Lit And in the Spirit, he came into
  3. Luke 2:32 Or the nations
  4. Luke 2:33 Other mss read But Joseph and His mother
  5. Luke 2:34 Or spoken against
  6. Luke 2:35 Or schemes
  7. Luke 2:36 Lit in many days
  8. Luke 2:36 Lit years from her virginity
  9. Luke 2:37 Or she was a widow until the age of 84
  10. Luke 2:38 Lit very hour
  11. Luke 2:38 Other mss read in Jerusalem
  12. Luke 2:43 Other mss read but Joseph and His mother
  13. Luke 2:49 Or be involved in My Father’s interests (or things), or be among My Father’s people

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