Luke 2:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

NIV: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'

NASB: A light for revelation for the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.'

CSB: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.

NLT: He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!'

KJV: A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

NKJV: A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Israelites reading the Old Testament would have seen prophecies about Messiah, who would bring unending peace and security to Israel (Isaiah 9:6–7). Not all Israelites focused on The Promised One's role in bringing salvation to those outside of Israel, as well (Isaiah 49:6; 52:10). One of the devout men waiting to see Christ was Simeon, who speaks these words while holding the infant Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:22–31).

Hebrew language used the concept of "light" as a metaphor for morality, truth, and goodness. The gospel of John directly identifies Jesus as "the light of the world" (John 1:4–9; 8:12). Jesus' arrival presents God's message to all people (John 3:16), as well as honor and glory for the Lord's chosen people (Acts 13:17).

This completes Simeon's praise of God as spoken when he meets Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. He will continue to speak with Jesus' family (Luke 2:33–35), delivering prophecies about Jesus' ministry bringing controversy and the emotional pain which Mary will suffer.

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 5/3/2024 8:16:57 AM