Luke 2:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

NIV: Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

NASB: then he took Him in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

CSB: Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

NLT: Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

KJV: Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

NKJV: he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

Jesus' earthly family raised Him in obedience to Israel's instructions as given in the law of Moses. That included rites for ceremonial purity (Luke 2:24). Since Joseph and Mary are poor, they are allowed to offer the less-expensive sacrifice of two birds (Leviticus 12:8). To do this, they go to the temple in Jerusalem. There, they meet a man under the influence of the Holy Spirit, whose name is Simeon (Luke 2:25–27). This man was promised, by God, that he would live to see the arrival of the Messiah.

In this moment, that prophecy is fulfilled. Simeon joyfully holds the infant Jesus Christ and begins to deliver praise to God (Luke 2:29–32). He will also deliver a prophecy to Mary, hinting at the emotional pain she will endure as Jesus' mother (Luke 2:34–35).

Luke 2:22–38 contains several interesting events. The infant Jesus is brought to the temple for purification and dedication, as commanded in Mosaic law. There, a devout man speaks through the Holy Spirit to celebrate the arrival of Messiah. Luke also mentions a prophetess named Anna, who likewise praises God for fulfilling His promises.

The early part of this chapter is famously read at Christmas, while celebrating the birth of Jesus. Luke gives a relatively brief description of how Mary came to give birth in a stable, laying Jesus in a feeding trough. Nearby shepherds are informed of the news by multiple angels. Two people speak in praise of God at Jesus' circumcision. Years later, Joseph and Mary lose track of Jesus on the way back from Jerusalem, only to find Him astounding teachers in the temple with His wisdom.

Luke began his well-organized account by explaining the conceptions of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist, in chapter 1. In chapter 2, he briefly summarizes Jesus' birth and the arrival of shepherds directed by angels. Prophecies and prayers celebrate His dedication at the temple. After briefly losing track of a twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple, Jesus' parents take Him home to Nazareth. There, He grows up relatively normally. Chapter 3 leaps forward many years to the beginning of John the Baptist's preaching. This is followed by Jesus' genealogy. Chapter 4 relates Jesus' temptations by Satan and the start of His public ministry.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 4/29/2024 1:21:38 AM