Luke 2:28

Luke 2:28, in plain English

Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God. After decades of waiting, he was finally holding the promise in his hands.

Why it's here

Picture an elderly man gently cradling a newborn, tears streaming down his face, praising God. This is one of the most tender moments in all of Scripture.

Who's speaking

Luke describes the beautiful moment when Simeon's lifelong hope was fulfilled.

Where it sits in the story

Years of waiting, years of praying, years of hoping—all of it comes down to this moment. Simeon cradles the infant Jesus and knows that everything God promised was true.

The scholarly reading

Simeon takes Jesus into his arms (edexato auto eis tas ankalas) and blesses God (eulogēsen ton theon). The physical embrace of the infant Messiah fulfills the promise of seeing salvation.

Language and setting

The image of aged Simeon cradling the infant Christ is one of Scripture's most poignant scenes—the end of one era literally held in the arms of the one inaugurating the next.

Voice

Luke describes Simeon's physical and spiritual response to meeting the Christ child.

Significance

Trembling hands receive the baby. Simeon holds the fulfillment of his life's hope—and of Israel's centuries-long hope—in his arms. The old man blesses God and prepares to speak his final prophecy.

26The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law,

28Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:

29“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

Read all of Luke 2 — The most powerful person in history arrives as the most vulnerable — a baby in a feeding trough. The announcement goes to shepherds.