Luke 2:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

NIV: so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.'

NASB: and a sword will pierce your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'

CSB: and a sword will pierce your own soul--that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

NLT: As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.'

KJV: (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

NKJV: (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Mary is listening to a direct prophecy given by Simeon, a man possessed by the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:25–27). Simeon's prediction is that Jesus' ministry will result in sharp division between people, even among Israel (Luke 2:34). This corresponds to Old Testament prophecies which indicated that some of God's chosen people would "stumble" in response to the Messiah (Isaiah 8:14). As Jesus preached, He noted this same effect (John 9:39). The intent of this division is to reveal whether each person is sincerely seeking God (1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Peter 2:8; John 3:16–18).

Here, Simeon also notes that Mary will suffer intense personal pain as part of her role in Jesus' life. Some of that will come in the form of confusion and uncertainty (Mark 3:21, 31). Mostly, it will involve the horror of watching her Son's torture, crucifixion, and death (John 19:25–27).

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 5/7/2024 12:28:22 PM