Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.

  30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation [Only the eye which sees Christ is satisfied with seeing ( Ecclesiastes 1:18 ). To one who has Christ in his arms and salvation before his eyes the world looks poor indeed, and the loss of it appears gain-- Philippians 1:21 ],

  31 Which thou hast prepared [God prepared the gospel in his counsels before Christ came into the world ( Acts 2:23 ), prophets-- Acts 3:18 ] before the face of all peoples [The Jewish Scriptures were then scattered among all nations, and all people were acquainted with the Hebrew expectations of a Messiah. Simeon saw in the Babe the initial step of God toward fulfilling all these prophecies];

  32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles. [A reference to Isaiah 49:6 . Christ's light has revealed the Father to the Gentiles. That Simeon should prophesy this is an evidence of the large spiritual knowledge given him, since even the apostles were slow to grasp the fullness of Christ's world-wide mission--see Psalms 98:2 Psalms 98:3 ; Isaiah 52:10 ; 42:6 ] to the Gentiles, And the glory [ Isaiah 45:25 . Israel is doubly glorified in Jesus, in that God chose this people to receive the Word, or divine Son, in that Jesus, as a Jew, presented to the world the picture of the perfect manhood. In his divinity and his humanity Jesus glorified Israel] of thy people Israel. [The Gentiles and Israel are here contrasted. The Gentiles refused the knowledge of God ( Romans 1:28 ), and Israel abused it-- Romans 3:1-9 .]

  33 And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him [Not because they heard anything which was really new, but because the words caused them to see the truth in a new way. They were also doubtless surprised to find that an utter stranger should speak thus about the child. Such manifestations of inspiration were no more common then than now];

  34 and Simeon blessed them [While blessing the parents, he refrained from blessing the child, lest it might appear that he did it as a superior. He could bless God in the heavens (see verse 28) without fear of being misunderstood; but to bless this little Babe might seem to be presumptuous], and said unto Mary his mother [thus distinguishing between Mary the real parent, and Joseph the supposed one], Behold, this child is set [either as a stone of stumbling ( Isaiah 8:14 ; Romans 9:32 Romans 9:33 ; 1 Corinthians 1:23 ), or a precious cornerstone ( 1 Peter 2:7 1 Peter 2:8 ; Acts 4:11 ; 1 Corinthians 3:11 ). Jesus is the cornerstone of true religion. Those who reject him fall over him and are broken; those who accept him, build upon him, and are lifted up and edified] for the falling and the rising of many in Israel [Jesus has always wrought changes which were like fallings and risings. In his own early lifetime Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees, Nazarenes, Gadarenes, etc., sank down before his example and teaching; while fishermen, publicans and outcasts were elevated and encouraged by his sympathy. In the ecclesiastical field Jesus has brought down the powers of superstition and priestcraft, and exalted the common worshiper, giving him liberty of conscience. In the political field Jesus has brought down the pride of kings and lifted up the common people, and given them sovereign powers. In the spiritual realm this work of Jesus is most clearly displayed. Not only did he bring down the pride of Judah and lift up the despised Gentiles ( Romans 9:25 ); but he has worked a leveling and a lifting work in the life of each of his followers. Those proud of their manhood, he has made as children, that they might become truly men ( Matthew 18:3 ); those wise in their own conceit, he approaches with the foolishness of preaching, that they might be instructed in true learning ( 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ); those strong in self-confidence, he makes weak, that he may fill them with the divine power ( 2 Corinthians 12:10 ; Philippians 4:13 ). Like Paul, we fall and rise in Christ-- Acts 9:4-6 ]; and for a sign [Something which challenges attention, and is full of significant meaning. Signs were intended to allay controversy, and to exclude contradiction, but Jesus provoked both. When he was thus first in the temple, opposition was prophesied; when he was last there it was fully realized-- Matthew 23:38 ] which is spoken against [during his earthly lifetime Jesus was called "deceiver," "Samaritan," "demoniac," etc., and subsequently his followers were abused ( Acts 28:22 ); later the Jews wrote of him as "the deceiver," "that man," and "the hung." Early Christians were charged by the pagans with committing cannibalism, incest, and every conceivable atrocity, and in this day "Christian" is--after Jew--the most stringing term of reproach known to the Eastern tongue];

  35 yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul [Simeon had read and understood the prophecies which told of the suffering Messiah ( Isaiah 42:14-xliii. 12 ). Hence, to prepare the soul of Mary he touches this minor chord. By as much as the prophecies and annunciations concerning Jesus, led Mary to expect honor, and glory for her son; by so much did the rejection, persecution and cruel death of Jesus overwhelm her with piercing anguish and disappointment. It is also probable that at the time of the crucifixion Mary shared with the apostles the doubts as to the mission of Jesus, and these doubts must have been unspeakably bitter to her]; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. [The word here translated "thoughts" is generally used to signify bad or evil thoughts. Jesus often revealed such ( John 9:16 ); but the context shows that Simeon had in mind the evil thoughts which were revealed by the sufferings inflicted on Christ. The human heart is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9 ); but its wickedness was never more manifest than when it chose a murderer and crucified its Creator ( Acts 3:14 Acts 3:15 ). Men are still revealed by their attitude toward Christ, the sincere being drawn to him, and the hypocrites being repelled from him. But at the judgment he shall shine forth as the perfect revealer of all thoughts and actions-- Matthew 10:26 .]

  36 And there was one Anna [the same name as Hannah ( 1 Samuel 1:20 ), meaning "He was gracious"], a prophetess [like Miriam, Deborah, Huldah-- 2 Chronicles 34:22 ], the daughter of Phanuel [the same as Peniel, meaning "Face of God"-- Genesis 32:30 ], of the tribe of Asher [Asher was the second son of Jacob and Zilpah ( Genesis 30:12 Genesis 30:13 ). The name means "happy." Though the ten tribes were lost and scattered, many individuals belonging to them remained in Judah-- Acts 26:7 ; James 1:1 ] (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,

  37 and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years)

[She had been married seven years, and was now eight-four years old. Her long widowhood is mentioned, because young widows who did not remarry were held in especial honor. Anna was about twenty-four years old when Jerusalem was conquered by Pompey, and came under the power of Rome], who departed not from the temple [This may simply mean that she was unusually assiduous in her attendance at all the temple services ( Acts 2:46 ); or it may be taken literally, in which case we may suppose that her prophetic talents had secured for her the right of living in one of the temple chambers. Those who patiently frequent God's house will sooner or later obtain a blessing], worshipping with fastings. [Moses appointed one yearly fast, viz.: that on the day of Atonement; but the Pharisees introduced the custom of fasting twice a week to commemorate the days when Moses was supposed to have ascended and descended Mt. Sinai; viz.: on Monday and Thursday. They had also otherwise multiplied the fasts-- Luke 5:33 ] and supplications night and day. [In Hebrew idiom night is mentioned before day, following the example of Moses ( Genesis 1:5 ). The Hebrew theory that "God made the world in six days and seven nights," may have given birth to this idiom. For instances of this idiom, see Acts 26:7 ; 1 Timothy 5:5 . There were probably night services of sacred music held in the temple, at which priests sung anthems-- Psalms 134:1 Psalms 134:2 ; 119:62 .]

  37 and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years)

  38 And coming up at that very hours she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him [Jesus] to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

  39 And when they

[the parents of Jesus] had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned. [Luke here adds the words "into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth." We have omitted these words from the text here, and carried them forward to Section XV., where they rightfully belong. Luke omits to tell that Jesus returned to Nazareth by way of Bethlehem and Egypt. Such omissions are common in all biographies, and this one is paralleled by Luke himself in his life of Paul. Compare Acts 9:19-26 with Galatians 1:17 Galatians 1:18 .]

  39 And when they