Luke 2:25-38 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:32

A light to lighten the Gentiles ,.... Or for the revelation of the Gentiles; to reveal the love, grace, and mercy of God, an everlasting righteousness, and the way of life and salvation to them. Reference seems to be had to Isaiah 42:6 . "Light", is one of the names of the Messiah in the Old Testament, as in Psalm 43:3 Daniel 2:22 , which passages are by the Jews F11 Jarchi in Psal. xliii. 3. Bereshit Rabba, fol. 1. 3. Echa Rabbati, fol. 50. 2. themselves interpreted of Christ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:33

And Joseph and his mother ,.... The Vulgate Latin reads, "and his father and mother". The Ethiopic version retains both his name and his relation, and reads, "and Joseph his father, and his mother"; but all the ancient copies read only "Joseph", without the addition, his father; and so the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions: they marvelled at those things which were spoken of him ; the child Jesus: not that those things which Simeon said, were new and strange to them; for they not only... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:34

And Simeon blessed them ,.... Pronounced them blessed persons, on account of their relation to Christ as man; and more especially, because of their interest in him, as the, Saviour and Redeemer of them; and wished them all happiness and prosperity inward and outward, temporal, spiritual, and eternal; and so the Arabic version renders it, confining it to Joseph and Mary; "and Simeon blessed them both"; though this blessing of his may take in also the young child Jesus; whom he might pronounce... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:35

Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also ,.... Meaning either the sword, "or spear of scandal", as the Arabic version renders it; so the calumny, and reproach of the tongues of men, is compared to a sharp sword, Psalm 57:4 and such the virgin might meet with on account of her conception in art unmarried state, which might greatly wound her soul; or else the sorrows she met with on account of her son: as he was a man of sorrows, so was she a woman of sorrows, from his cradle to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:36

And there was one Anna ,.... The name is the same with Hannah: so Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is by the Septuagint called Anna, in 1 Samuel 1:2 and it signifies "grace"; or "gracious": and as was her name, so was she, a gracious woman; One that had the grace of God herself, and was a publisher of the glad tidings of grace and redemption by Christ, to others; and she was a prophetess : for though prophecy had ceased among the Jews for some hundreds of years, it now revived upon the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:37

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years ,.... Which is not the date of her whole age, as some have thought, but of her widowhood state, as distinct from her marriage state, and the time of her virginity. And this sense all the versions favour, Which departed not from the temple that is, she was constant in her devotion there, at the time of divine service, whether by night or day; not that she was in it, for she had been out of it now; otherwise it could not with propriety... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:38

And she coming in that instant ,.... That the parents of Christ brought him into the temple; just as Simeon was embracing him in his arms, and blessing God for him, and saying the things concerning him he had done; and who also came at that juncture, as he did, under the impulse, and by the direction of the Spirit of God, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord : praised him, as he had done, that he had sent the promised, and long looked for Messiah and Saviour; and that she had lived to see... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:25

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem - This man is distinguished because of his singular piety. There can be no doubt that there were many persons in Jerusalem named Simeon, besides this man; but there was none of the name who merited the attention of God so much as he in the text. Such persevering exemplary piety was very rare, and therefore the inspired penman ushers in the account with behold! Several learned men are of the opinion that he was son to the famous Hillel, one of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:26

It was revealed unto him - He was divinely informed, κεχρηματισμενον - he had an express communication from God concerning the subject. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. The soul of a righteous and devout man is a proper habitation for the Holy Spirit. He should not see death - They that seek shall find: it is impossible that a man who is earnestly seeking the salvation of God, should be permitted to die without finding it. The Lord's Christ - Rather, the Lord's... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:27

He came by the Spirit into the temple - Probably he had in view the prophecy of Malachi, Malachi 3:1 , The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple. In this messenger of the covenant, the soul of Simeon delighted. Now the prophecy was just going to be fulfilled; and the Holy Spirit, who dwelt in the soul of this righteous man, directed him to go and see its accomplishment. Those who come, under the influence of God's Spirit, to places of public worship, will undoubtedly meet... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:32

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:33

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:34

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:35

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:36

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:37

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:27

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