Luke 2:34-35

Luke 2:34-35

[34] And  Simeon  blessed  them,  and  said  unto  Mary  his  mother,  Behold,  this  child is set  for  the fall  and  rising again  of many  in  Israel;  and  for  a sign  which shall be spoken against;  [35] (Yea,  a sword  shall pierce through  own  soul  also,)  that  the thoughts  of  many  hearts  may be revealed. 

What does Luke 2:34-35 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Simeon now prayed for God"s blessing on Mary and Joseph or perhaps declared them blessed by God (cf. Luke 2:28), especially Mary who would suffer more than Joseph. He revealed to Mary that Jesus would be responsible for bringing many people in Israel to the point of making an important moral decision. Some of them would reject Him and so fall spiritually while others would accept Him and therefore rise spiritually. He would be a sign in the sense that He would be a demonstration that God was at work.
"In himself, therefore, Jesus is the one through whom God points to his salvation and offers proof of its reality." [1]
As a stone, Jesus would be a source of stumbling to some but a means of reaching heaven for others (cf. Isaiah 8:14-15; Isaiah 28:16). He would be the instrument of salvation for some but condemnation for others. However, He would pay a price, namely, suffering the antagonism of those who would reject Him. This rejection would hurt Mary.