Simeon and Anna See God’s Salvation

2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 2:27 So Simeon, directed by the Spirit, came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary according to the law, 2:28 Simeon took him in his arms and blessed God, saying, 2:29 "Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord, permit your servant to depart in peace. 2:30 For my eyes have seen your salvation 2:31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: 2:32 a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." 2:33 So the child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. 2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected. 2:35 Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed - and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!" 2:36 There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. 2:37 She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 2:38 At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. 2:39 So when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 2:40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

At Jesus’ presentation in the temple, Simeon and Anna testify that this child is God’s promised Messiah and God’s salvation for Israel and the nations. Simeon also warns that Jesus will bring division, rejection, the revealing of hearts, and deep sorrow for Mary.

Luke presents Simeon as a righteous and devout man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him, had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Christ, and led him into the temple at the right time. This shows that Simeon’s words are Spirit-guided testimony about Jesus.

Joseph and Mary bring Jesus into the temple to do what the law required. Luke emphasizes their obedience. Jesus’ coming does not break with God’s earlier work among Israel. It comes in the setting of faithful covenant obedience.

When Simeon takes Jesus in his arms, he blesses God and says that he can now depart in peace because he has seen God’s salvation. He does not speak only of a future rescue. He speaks of salvation as present in the child himself. Simeon then says that this salvation has been prepared before all peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for Israel. Luke holds both together. The nations are included, and Israel is honored as the people through whom God’s promise has come.

Simeon then gives Mary a hard warning. This child is appointed for the falling and rising of many in Israel. Some will reject him and fall. Others will receive him and rise. Jesus will not leave people neutral. He will also be a sign that is opposed, and the response to him will reveal the thoughts of many hearts. Simeon also tells Mary that a sword will pierce her own soul. This points to her deep personal sorrow as she watches the opposition and suffering tied to her Son’s mission.

Luke then introduces Anna, a prophetess from the tribe of Asher. She is an elderly widow who worships with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she comes, gives thanks to God, and speaks about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Like Simeon, she understands Jesus in light of God’s covenant promises.

The passage ends by returning to the ordinary faithfulness of Joseph and Mary. After they do everything required by the law, they return to Nazareth. Luke then says that Jesus grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and that the favor of God was upon him. Even after these remarkable words in the temple, God’s saving work continues through ordinary family life, patient obedience, and the child’s growth.

• Simeon and Anna are faithful Israelites waiting for God’s promised redemption.
• The Holy Spirit guides and confirms Simeon’s recognition of Jesus.
• Jesus is not only a messenger of salvation; he is God’s salvation present in person.
• Jesus brings revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Israel; one does not cancel the other.
• Jesus’ coming brings both fulfillment and conflict: some will rise, others will fall.
• People’s response to Jesus reveals what is truly in their hearts.
• Mary herself will suffer deeply because of her Son’s mission.
• God’s great saving work unfolds in the setting of ordinary obedience to his law.

• Do not read this as only a peaceful temple scene; Simeon also announces rejection, division, and sorrow.
• Do not treat Gentile inclusion as though it removes Israel from God’s saving purpose; Luke speaks of both together.
• Do not reduce consolation, salvation, and redemption here to private inward comfort; Luke is describing God’s public saving action in history.
• Do not make the Spirit references here carry more than Luke’s immediate point; they chiefly show divine revelation and guidance that identify Jesus.

Luke shows that God’s long-promised salvation for Israel has arrived in Jesus, and that this salvation also reaches the Gentiles. Simeon and Anna stand as faithful witnesses that God is fulfilling his covenant hope in the temple, while Jesus’ later rejection and suffering are already part of God’s appointed plan.

Wait for God as Simeon and Anna did: with prayerful, worshipful, Scripture-shaped hope. Speak of Jesus as God’s salvation for Israel and the nations. Do not expect universal approval when Christ is proclaimed, because his coming exposes hearts and brings divided responses. Remember that God often advances his saving purposes through ordinary obedience, family faithfulness, and quiet growth.

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