When we consider the presentation of Jesus at the temple in Luke 2:22-35, we see something beautiful beyond words. Here we find Joseph and Mary in diligent and humble submission to God, bringing a sacrifice and following custom as written in the Torah, even as the devout Simeon waits for the promised consolation of Israel. Here we find the center of history, full and bursting with backstory, symbolism, anticipation and culmination. Christ, the goal of the Law, has come! He is what the Law was (and is) all about!
Thabiti Anyabwile tries to capture a sense of the scene at the temple that day as he writes,
Imagine this old man’s elation. He was at home carrying on his day—perhaps in prayer or in some other activity. Then, unexpectedly, he has a strong urge and leading to go to the temple. With each step the leading gets stronger until, even as an old man, he was nearly running to get there. He saw Jesus in his parents’ arms and he knew. He knew! This was the long-awaited comfort of Israel, the promised savior. He took the one-month-old baby out of their arms and brought him close to his chest. Looking into the face of Christ, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Simeon blessed Jesus with a prophecy.(1)
Theological/Biblical Background
This scene takes place in the Temple court, which is a large, public space inside the entrance to the temple precinct. This was typically a very busy area with Jewish worshipers coming and going along with many priests making preparations for various offerings and sacrifices. This is the same area that Jesus, as a twelve-year-old boy, would be found sitting among the teachers (Luke 2:46) and where he, himself, would frequently teach (Luke 19:47; 20:21; 21:37; 22:53).
Luke makes clear that Joseph and Mary are following the requirements of the Law of Moses concerning both Mary’s purification after giving birth (see Lev 12:1–4, 6–8) and the consecration of their firstborn child (see Exod 13:2, 12). The word “Law” occurs four times in just the first six verses (Luke 2:22–27). From the very start, even in his parents' care, Jesus’ earthly life fulfilled the Law. As the apostle Paul would emphatically state,
But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
—Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV)
God’s Messiah was coming to redeem his people from the curse of the law. Simeon understood this very truth from Scripture itself. The words of his blessing are thoroughly rooted in the themes and thought of the Old Testament prophets, especially the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah painted a full-color portrait of a Servant-Messiah who would redeem Israel from the futility of their sin (Isa 44:21–23; 53:4–6). And this, not just for the Jews of Israel, but for the sake of the Gentiles as well (Isa 42:6; 49:6; 52:10; 60:3).
Study Notes
vv.22–24
“their purification” – Only Mary, having given birth, required purification according to the law (Lev 12:1–4). The plural reference to “their” likely includes Joseph, who brings his wife to the temple in solidarity with her.(2)
“to present him” – The instruction to consecrate the first-born is in Exod 12:2. This was not a formal requirement of the Mosaic Law but here is a demonstration of the piety of Joseph and Mary. They sought to fully honor the Lord.(3)
“a pair of turtle doves, or two pigeons” – The Law required a lamb to be offered but allowed for those who could not afford such an expense to offer doves or pigeons instead (Lev 12:8). Here is clear evidence of the humble means of this family.(4)
v.25
“waiting for the consolation of Israel” – The word "consolation" comes from the Greek (παρακλήσις, paraklēsis) and is elsewhere translated as “comfort.”
OT Background:
In the Greek translation of the OT (called the Septuagint),
the word paraklēsis appears most often in Isaiah, where it becomes a symbol for the arrival of the eschatological era when God fulfills his promises to Israel (Isa. 28:29; 30:7; 57:18; 66:11). Significantly, the verbal form, parakaleō, appears more than twenty-five times in Isaiah. Isaiah 40:1–11 can be considered as a summary of this message of consolation.(5)
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
Isaiah 40:1-2 ESV
vv.25–27
Notice the emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s influence on Simeon. Just as with Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah in the previous chapter, the Holy Spirit is orchestrating everything—winsomely, personally, purposefully. The Holy Spirit gave Simeon insight into the OT Messianic prophecies, he spoke a personal word of promise to Simeon, and now the Spirit enables him to speak this prophetic blessing.(6)
v.29
“now you are letting your servant depart in peace” -
“Simeon was basically saying, ‘Lord, you can take me now. My work is done. You kept your word.’”(7)
v.30
“for my eyes have seen your salvation” -
Simeon introduces the basis of his peace with the word “for" (ὅτι) (because). As far as Simeon is concerned, God’s work of redemption is as good as done, though there is much work ahead for the child in his arms. Simeon’s confidence is not in his having a clear knowledge of the details of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Rather, his confidence is rooted in God who makes and keeps his promises.
vv.31-32
Three clauses/phrases fill out Simeon’s understanding of the salvation that comes through Messiah in verse 30:
“that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples” – (see Luke 24:47; Acts 10:34–35)
“a light of revelation to the Gentiles” - (from Isa 49:6; see also Isa 40:5; 42:6; 52:9–10)
“For glory to your people Israel.: - “Thus the salvation Jesus brings is light (to give revelation) to the Gentiles and glory to Israel. (The Jews already had the divine revelation but awaited the manifestation of the glory God had promised.)”(8)
vv.34–35
“for the fall and rising of many…
for a sign that is opposed…
a sword will pierce your own soul…
so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
While the third clause in this set points to Mary’s personal experience of grief, each of the others expresses God’s clear purpose and design in appointing Jesus Messiah to this life among humanity. Anyabwile helpfully summarizes these statements:
“The old man turned his cloudy eyes to the parents. Simeon blessed them with strange words. This child will be a light, but he will be the kind of light that exposes. Because he exposes, he will face opposition. That opposition will be a violent piercing—a piercing that will penetrate his mother’s heart also.”(9)
Recommended Resources
The following resources helped us as we prepared this study guide, and we point you to them for further study: