Simeon and Anna
TRANSLATION
(22) And when the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, (his parents) brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (23) as is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb will be called ‘holy to the Lord,’” (24) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is written in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
(25) And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (26) And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. (27) Led by the Spirit he entered the temple courts, and when his parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, (28) (Simeon) took him in his arms and praised God saying, (29) “Now let your servant depart in peace according to your Word, Lord, (30) for my eyes have seen your salvation (31) which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, (32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.” (33) And his father and his mother were amazed at the things that were said about him. (34) And Simeon blessed them and said to his mother, Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and the rising of many in Israel and for a sign that will be opposed, (35) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed (and a sword will pierce your own soul as well).”
(36) And a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher was also there. She was very old and had lived with her husband for seven years after their marriage (37) and then had been a widow until she was 84 years old. She did not leave the temple but worshipped with fasting and supplications night and day. (38) Coming up to them at that very moment she gave thanks to God and spoke of (the child) to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
(39) And when (Jesus’ parents) had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. (40) And the child grew and became strong and was filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
OBSERVATIONS
The ritual of purification in which Mary would be declared ceremonially clean after childbirth was to take place no less than forty days after Jesus’ birth. In the case of daughters, the time of ceremonial uncleanness was doubled to eighty days. In addition, Exodus 13 required that all firstborn male children were to be consecrated to the Lord. Luke was careful to point out that Mary and Joseph did everything “required by the Law of the Lord” (vs. 39). It was during their visit to the temple both for Mary’s purification and Jesus’ consecration that they met both Simeon and Anna and heard what each had to say about this special child.
Repetitions in this segment included “Law” (five times in vss. 22, 23, 24, 27, & 39, three of which included the phrase, “of the Lord” in vss. 23, 24, & 39), “Lord” (six times in vss. 22, 23, 24, 29, & 39), “Simeon” (vss. 25 & 34), “Holy Spirit” (three times in vss. 25, 26, & 27), “temple” (vss. 27 & 37), and “mother” (vss. 33 & 34).
OUTLINE
I. Mary’s purification and Jesus’ consecration as their firstborn son were both carried out. (22-24)
II. Simeon and Anna both bore testimony to Jesus’ future greatness. (25-38)
III. Jesus and his parents returned to Nazareth. (39 & 40)
IDEA STATEMENT
Jesus’ vocation to serve as Israel’s Messiah was affirmed both by his parents’ adherence to the requirements of the Law and by the testimonies of the two witnesses who met them at the temple.
APPLICATION
Among the unusual events that marked the birth of Jesus, the testimonies given both by Simeon and Anna regarding the future work he would accomplish clearly indicated that he was Israel’s long-awaited Messiah. John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus’ first coming was largely ignored by those who should have been ready to welcome him: “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (Jn. 1:11). Only two elderly citizens among all the Jews in Jerusalem recognized his identity.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Simeon outlined Jesus’ destiny, that he would provide light to the Gentiles in their darkness and bring glory as well as judgment to Israel. The phrase, “salvation…of all peoples,” summarized what Simeon prophesied for this child. Anna’s actual words regarding Jesus were not recounted by Luke, but the term, “redemption,” captured the essence of her message as a prophetess.
God never leaves himself without a witness. Although the nation of Israel was largely unprepared for Jesus’ coming, a tiny remnant was ready to receive him and testify regarding God’s faithfulness to his covenant promises. Will we, like Simeon and Anna, be ready to welcome him when he returns the second time in triumph and great glory?