Luke 2:26-30
Luke 2:26 (KJB)
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death,
before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Simeon had received a prophecy by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he
had seen the Messiah. It is not written how he received it whether through a
dream or a vision but it was definitely from the Holy Spirit. The word
“revealed” in Scripture normally refers to a divine admonition or instruction.
Simeon is the fourth person associated with the Holy Spirit, the other three are
John, Zacharias, and Elisabeth. The title “the Lord’s Christ” literally means
“the Anointed One of God.”
Luke 2:27 (KJB)
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the
child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then Simeon, being led by the Spirit, to fulfill His prophecy to him leads him
into the temple while the Lord Jesus Christ was there with His parents. The
custom of the law was to present the child to the Lord and to pay the redemption
money required. Even though Jesus was the fulfillment of the law, at this time
He was born under the law and His parents were to be obedient in all that the
law required. (Gal 4:4 KJV) But when the fulness of the time was come, God
sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Luke 2:28 (KJB)
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Simeon then took the Lord Jesus in his arms and then blessed God. To bless God
was to praise Him and bring glory to Him. In this case because it was the
fulfillment of many prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. Here Simeon has
the privilege of holding Him in his arms.
Luke 2:29 (KJB)
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Now Simeon blesses the Lord by saying that since he has now seen and held the
Messiah in his arms, he is now ready to depart in peace. To depart meant that he
was now ready to die. Simeon was probably an elderly man at this time and the
fact the prophecy was fulfilled, he now had great joy and desired to depart and
live with God forever.
Luke 2:30 (KJB)
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Simeon expressed his joy in that he had physically seen the salvation of the
Lord. Salvation was not only something that Jesus gave to people but it was who
He was. He was the chosen redeemer of God to redeem all the Elect in the world.
Simeon was also making the statement that the law could not save but salvation
will only be found in the Lord Jesus. For hundreds of years the prophets were
prophesying of the Lord Jesus and now He is physically here. (Mat 13:17 KJV) For
verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see
those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things
which ye hear, and have not heard them.