Luke 2:25-52

25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was 1righteous and devout, 2looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And 3it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not 4see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, 5to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,
28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, 6According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have 7seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 8A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."
33 And His father and 9mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.
34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary 10His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for 11the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed -
35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul -to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
36 And there was a 12prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of 13the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years 14and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four *. She never left the temple, serving night and day with 15fastings and prayers.
38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were 16looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Return to Nazareth

39 When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to 17their own city of Nazareth.
40 18The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Visit to Jerusalem

41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at 19the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;
43 and as they were returning, after spending the 20full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware * of it,
44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.
46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him 21were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and 22His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, 23Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You."
49 And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that 24I had to be in My Father's house?"
50 But 25they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.
51 And He went down with them and came to 26Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and 27His mother 28treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in 29favor with God and men.

Cross References 29

  • 1. Luke 1:6
  • 2. Mark 15:43; Luke 2:38; Luke 23:51
  • 3. Matthew 2:12
  • 4. Psalms 89:48; John 8:51; Hebrews 11:5
  • 5. Luke 2:22
  • 6. Luke 2:26
  • 7. Psalms 119:166, 174; Isaiah 52:10; Luke 3:6
  • 8. Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6, 9; Isaiah 51:4; Isaiah 60:1-3; Matthew 4:16; Acts 13:47; Acts 26:23
  • 9. Matthew 12:46
  • 10. Matthew 12:46
  • 11. Matthew 21:44; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 2:16; 1 Peter 2:8
  • 12. Luke 2:38; Acts 21:9
  • 13. Joshua 19:24
  • 14. 1 Timothy 5:9
  • 15. Luke 5:33; Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 5:5
  • 16. Luke 1:68; Luke 2:25
  • 17. Matthew 2:23; Luke 1:26; Luke 2:51; Luke 4:16
  • 18. Luke 1:80; Luke 2:52
  • 19. Exodus 12:11; Exodus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:1-6
  • 20. Exodus 12:15
  • 21. Matthew 7:28; Matthew 13:54; Matthew 22:33; Mark 1:22; Mark 6:2; Mark 11:18; Luke 4:32; John 7:15
  • 22. Matthew 12:46
  • 23. Luke 2:49; Luke 3:23; Luke 4:22
  • 24. John 4:34; John 5:36
  • 25. Mark 9:32; Luke 9:45; Luke 18:34
  • 26. Luke 2:39
  • 27. Matthew 12:46
  • 28. Luke 2:19
  • 29. Luke 2:40

Footnotes 15

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.