Praise the Lord Jesus Christ
In Verse 33, Joseph and Mary express astonishment at the words spoken about Jesus by Simeon. The couple is genuinely taken aback by the revelations concerning Jesus Christ.
Simeon concludes his speech in Verse 34 by blessing them and addressing Mary directly. He prophesies that the child, Jesus, is destined to be a divisive figure, causing the rise and fall of many in Israel. Jesus will also be a sign that stirs controversy.
In Verse 35, a parenthetical statement reveals Simeon's words to Mary, stating that a sword will pierce through her soul. This brief diversion allows Simeon to convey a personal message to Mary before returning to his main point.
When reading Verse 34 and the second part of Verse 35 without the bracketed interruption, it is evident that Jesus is foreseen as a polarizing figure, with people's true thoughts revealed when they speak against Him. This mirrors the experience one might encounter today when discussing Jesus with friends of different faiths, exposing their internal beliefs.
Verse 36 introduces another key figure, Anna, a prophetess from the tribe of Asher. It is explicitly mentioned that she is a prophetess and the daughter of Phenuel. Despite her age, she had lived with her husband for seven years from her youth.
In Verse 37, it is revealed that Anna, now an 84-year-old widow, has been living in the temple, serving God with fasting and prayers day and night since her husband's death. Luke provides detailed information about Anna's righteous life and devotion to God.
In Verse 38, at an opportune moment, Anna gives thanks to the Lord and speaks to those seeking redemption in Jerusalem about the arrival of salvation through the child she witnesses. Her message focuses on the redemption of Jerusalem, addressing those who yearn for spiritual deliverance.
Verse 39 notes that, after completing all the required rituals according to the Law of the Lord, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus return to their hometown, Nazareth, in Galilee. However, certain details about the family's journey are missing in Luke's account, and Matthew's Gospel fills in some of these gaps. The route map of Jesus' early travels includes Nazareth to Bethlehem and later to Egypt due to a death threat to the child. After Herod's demise, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus embark on a journey to return to Bethlehem but on the they come to know that Herod's son is the new king. Then following divine guidance from an angel they eventually trave to Nazareth. Mathew mentions the family travelling to Nazareth and so does Luke. But are two mentioning the same travel or different travels? This is not clear in the scripture.
Verse 40 states that Jesus grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. This verse provides additional information about Jesus' development and character.
Verses 41-43 narrate an incident when Jesus, at the age of 12, goes with his parents to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. After the feast, he lingers behind in the temple, engaging in discussions with the teachers of the law. His parents, unaware of his whereabouts, seeks him after one day of travel. When they find that He is missing, they travel back searching for Him. Three days later they find him in the temple.
In Verse 44, all who heard Jesus in the temple were astonished at His understanding and answers. When questioned by His mother, Jesus responds with a question asking weather they did not know that He must be about his Father's business. In other words He was asking them why did they waste their time by looking for Him in other places.
Verse 51 notes that Jesus returned to Nazareth with his parents, subjecting himself to them. Mary, in turn, keeps these experiences in her heart.
Finally, Verse 52 concludes that Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, and favor with both God and man. This passage provides insights into Jesus' early years and the significant events that shaped his path.
In Verse 33, Joseph and Mary express astonishment at the words spoken about Jesus by Simeon. The couple is genuinely taken aback by the revelations concerning Jesus Christ.
Simeon concludes his speech in Verse 34 by blessing them and addressing Mary directly. He prophesies that the child, Jesus, is destined to be a divisive figure, causing the rise and fall of many in Israel. Jesus will also be a sign that stirs controversy.
In Verse 35, a parenthetical statement reveals Simeon's words to Mary, stating that a sword will pierce through her soul. This brief diversion allows Simeon to convey a personal message to Mary before returning to his main point.
When reading Verse 34 and the second part of Verse 35 without the bracketed interruption, it is evident that Jesus is foreseen as a polarizing figure, with people's true thoughts revealed when they speak against Him. This mirrors the experience one might encounter today when discussing Jesus with friends of different faiths, exposing their internal beliefs.
Verse 36 introduces another key figure, Anna, a prophetess from the tribe of Asher. It is explicitly mentioned that she is a prophetess and the daughter of Phenuel. Despite her age, she had lived with her husband for seven years from her youth.
In Verse 37, it is revealed that Anna, now an 84-year-old widow, has been living in the temple, serving God with fasting and prayers day and night since her husband's death. Luke provides detailed information about Anna's righteous life and devotion to God.
In Verse 38, at an opportune moment, Anna gives thanks to the Lord and speaks to those seeking redemption in Jerusalem about the arrival of salvation through the child she witnesses. Her message focuses on the redemption of Jerusalem, addressing those who yearn for spiritual deliverance.
Verse 39 notes that, after completing all the required rituals according to the Law of the Lord, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus return to their hometown, Nazareth, in Galilee. However, certain details about the family's journey are missing in Luke's account, and Matthew's Gospel fills in some of these gaps. The route map of Jesus' early travels includes Nazareth to Bethlehem and later to Egypt due to a death threat to the child. After Herod's demise, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus embark on a journey to return to Bethlehem but on the they come to know that Herod's son is the new king. Then following divine guidance from an angel they eventually trave to Nazareth. Mathew mentions the family travelling to Nazareth and so does Luke. But are two mentioning the same travel or different travels? This is not clear in the scripture.
Verse 40 states that Jesus grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. This verse provides additional information about Jesus' development and character.
Verses 41-43 narrate an incident when Jesus, at the age of 12, goes with his parents to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. After the feast, he lingers behind in the temple, engaging in discussions with the teachers of the law. His parents, unaware of his whereabouts, seeks him after one day of travel. When they find that He is missing, they travel back searching for Him. Three days later they find him in the temple.
In Verse 44, all who heard Jesus in the temple were astonished at His understanding and answers. When questioned by His mother, Jesus responds with a question asking weather they did not know that He must be about his Father's business. In other words He was asking them why did they waste their time by looking for Him in other places.
Verse 51 notes that Jesus returned to Nazareth with his parents, subjecting himself to them. Mary, in turn, keeps these experiences in her heart.
Finally, Verse 52 concludes that Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, and favor with both God and man. This passage provides insights into Jesus' early years and the significant events that shaped his path.
