Luke 2:25-39 - The Aged Simeon's Prophetic Blessing
Two aged watchers welcomed the King; but no one else, of all the crowds who went and came, guessed that the Messenger of the Covenant had suddenly come to His Temple, Malachi 3:1-3.
In the Arctic Circle in summer the visitor will behold the magnificent spectacle, on the same sky, of the hues of sunset and of dawn. Dipping only for a brief period beneath the horizon, the setting sun leaves the glorious trail of sunset, and rising, bathes the eastern clouds with the radiance of dawn. So, when Simeon embraced Christ, sunset and sunrise met. There was the glory of the age that was passing, and the glory of the new Christian age that shall ever stand at perfect noon.
Note the concentric circles of Simeon's character: a man; a man in Jerusalem-i.e., a Jew; righteous toward his fellows; devout toward God; looking; Spirit-anointed; to whom it was revealed; Christ in his arms. What more could be said? [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 2
1Augustus taxes all the Roman empire 6The nativity of Jesus 8An angel relates it to the shepherds, and many sing praises to God for it 15The shepherds glorify God 21Jesus is circumcised 22Mary purified 25Simeon and Anna prophesy of Jesus, 39who increases in wisdom, 41questions in the temple with the teachers, 51and is obedient to his parents
Greek Commentary for Luke 2:28
Then he [και αυτος] Και Kai as in Luke 2:21. Αυτος Autos emphatic subject, he after the parents. [source]
Arms [αγκαλας] Old Greek word, here only in the N.T. It means the curve or inner angle of the arm. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 2:28
Mark 10:16He took them in his arms [εναγκαλισαμενος] A distinct rebuke to the protest of the over-particular disciples. This word already in Mark 9:36. In Luke 2:28 we have the full idiom, to receive into the arms So with tender fondling Jesus repeatedly blessed It was a great moment for each mother and child. [source]
Mark 9:35He sat down and called the twelve [kathisas ephōnēsen tous dōdeka)] Deliberate action of Jesus to handle this delicate situation. Jesus gives them the rule of greatness: “If any man would be first Matthew 18:2 says that he called a little child, one there in the house, perhaps Peter‘s child. Luke 9:47 notes that he “set him by his side.” Then Jesus taking him in his arms (enagkalisamenos aorist middle participle, late Greek word from agkalē as in Luke 2:28) spoke again to the disciples. [source]
Acts 16:25Were praying and singing [προσευχομενοι υμνουν] Present middle participle and imperfect active indicative: Praying they were singing (simultaneously, blending together petition and praise). υμνεω Humneō is an old verb from υμνος humnos (cf. Isaiah 12:4; Daniel 3:23). Paul and Silas probably used portions of the Psalms (cf. Luke 1:39., Luke 1:67.; Luke 2:28) with occasional original outbursts of praise. Were listening to them (επηκροωντο αυτων epēkroōnto autōn). Imperfect middle of επακροαομαι epakroaomai Rare verb to listen with pleasure as to a recitation or music (Page). It was a new experience for the prisoners and wondrously attractive entertainment to them. [source]
Greek Commentary for Luke 2:28
Και Kai as in Luke 2:21. Αυτος Autos emphatic subject, he after the parents. [source]
Old Greek word, here only in the N.T. It means the curve or inner angle of the arm. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 2:28
A distinct rebuke to the protest of the over-particular disciples. This word already in Mark 9:36. In Luke 2:28 we have the full idiom, to receive into the arms So with tender fondling Jesus repeatedly blessed It was a great moment for each mother and child. [source]
Deliberate action of Jesus to handle this delicate situation. Jesus gives them the rule of greatness: “If any man would be first Matthew 18:2 says that he called a little child, one there in the house, perhaps Peter‘s child. Luke 9:47 notes that he “set him by his side.” Then Jesus taking him in his arms (enagkalisamenos aorist middle participle, late Greek word from agkalē as in Luke 2:28) spoke again to the disciples. [source]
Present middle participle and imperfect active indicative: Praying they were singing (simultaneously, blending together petition and praise). υμνεω Humneō is an old verb from υμνος humnos (cf. Isaiah 12:4; Daniel 3:23). Paul and Silas probably used portions of the Psalms (cf. Luke 1:39., Luke 1:67.; Luke 2:28) with occasional original outbursts of praise. Were listening to them (επηκροωντο αυτων epēkroōnto autōn). Imperfect middle of επακροαομαι epakroaomai Rare verb to listen with pleasure as to a recitation or music (Page). It was a new experience for the prisoners and wondrously attractive entertainment to them. [source]