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Scott's Reference Library
Luke 2:22 through Luke 2:40 (NIV)
22When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been
completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be
consecrated to the Lord” ), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is
said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.
He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he
had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple
courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the
custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,
saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to
cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be
spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a
sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of
Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her
marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the
temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at
that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who
were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they
returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and
became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 21-24
Our Lord Jesus was not born in sin, and did not need that mortification of a
corrupt nature, or that renewal unto holiness, which were signified by
circumcision. This ordinance was, in his case, a pledge of his future perfect
obedience to the whole law, in the midst of sufferings and temptations, even
unto death for us. At the end of forty days, Mary went up to the temple to offer
the appointed sacrifices for her purification. Joseph also presented the holy
child Jesus, because, as a first-born son, he was to be presented to the Lord,
and redeemed according to the law. Let us present our children to the Lord who
gave them to us, beseeching him to redeem them from sin and death, and make them
holy to himself.
VERSES 25-35
The same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon’s hope, provided for his
joy. Those who would see Christ must go to his temple. Here is a confession of
his faith, that this Child in his arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself,
the salvation of God’s appointing. He bids farewell to this world. How poor does
this world look to one that has Christ in his arms, and salvation in his view!
See here, how comfortable is the death of a good man; he departs in peace with
God, peace with his own conscience, in peace with death. Those that have
welcomed Christ, may welcome death. Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things
which were spoken of this Child. Simeon shows them likewise, what reason they
had to rejoice with trembling. And Jesus, his doctrine, and people, are still
spoken against; his truth and holiness are still denied and blasphemed; his
preached word is still the touchstone of men’s characters. The secret good
affections in the minds of some, will be revealed by their embracing Christ; the
secret corruptions of others will be revealed by their enmity to Christ. Men
will be judged by the thoughts of their hearts concerning Christ. He shall be a
suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with him, because of the nearness of
her relation and affection.
VERSES 36-40
There was much evil then in the church, yet God left not himself without
witness. Anna always dwelt in, or at least attended at, the temple. She was
always in a praying spirit; gave herself to prayer, and in all things she served
God. Those to whom Christ is made known, have great reason to thank the Lord.
She taught others concerning him. Let the example of the venerable saints,
Simeon and Anna, give courage to those whose hoary heads are, like theirs, a
crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. The lips soon to be
silent in the grave, should be showing forth the praises of the Redeemer. In all
things it became Christ to be made like unto his brethren, therefore he passed
through infancy and childhood as other children, yet without sin, and with
manifest proofs of the Divine nature in him. By the Spirit of God all his
faculties performed their offices in a manner not seen in any one else. Other
children have foolishness bound in their hearts, which appears in what they say
or do, but he was filled with wisdom, by the influence of the Holy Ghost; every
thing he said and did, was wisely said and wisely done, above his years. Other
children show the corruption of their nature; nothing but the grace of God was
upon him.