how old was simeon when he saw jesus

degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Durham in England. The thoughts of men's hearts will be revealed by what they do with Christ. Can you be godly through seasons where God makes you wait? And at the outset of a long chain of such prophetic insights stand Simeon and Anna, one satisfied that prophecy has been fulfilled and the other pointing to the future, a future as bright as the promises of God. This account is reminder to all of us that this day is not just about time with family or wonderful expressions of love. Put all of that together and what you have is a very costly gospel. Several years ago I received a telemarketing call, and I did something I've never done before. August 22,2014 2:02 am. That Lord Jesus Christ has come not only for Jews but also for the Gentiles is seen here in Luke Chapter 2:21-35 where description of one named Simeon is given. The article was first republished in Bible History Daily on February 12, 2013. Simeon suggested to Mary, A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. He did not leave the parents upon the mount of elevation but included a drop of bitterness through the prophecy that this helpless Baby was to be the suffering and dying Messiah. Some of the biggest misunderstandings come from people who are related to Jesus. Simeon got it and he saw it! In Lorenzo Lottos unusual rendition of the Annunciation, dated to 1535, Marys cat is equally frightened by the divine apparition. How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him? In this way Luke both prepares for and signals one of his major themes in the Gospel of Luke and in Actsthe least, the last and the lost are becoming the most, the first and the found with Jesus coming. Verses 22-24 tell us what is happening here. He was "waiting for the consolation of Israel." He took the prophets at their word and was looking for the coming Messiah. Simeon's prayer captures the beauty of the gospel: He begins his praise to God with an expression of ultimate satisfaction in God and it is tied to the word peace: "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace," (v 29). Read Understanding []. God is being gracious to Israel, but Simeon knows that God's grace is going to overflow the borders of this small nation. was saying and revelling himself at this age God had her back on this one! Simeon asked God to allow him to "depart in peace, according to Your word" (verse 29). In the biblical Joseph narrative, when Joseph, having settled in Egypt, asks his brothers to bring Benjamin to him, he takes Simeon hostage to ensure that they return. He kept the law inwardly and outwardly, looked for the Messiah, and the very presence of God was in his life. In what has become known as the Nunc Dimittus, Simeon's poetic blessing to God a few verses later, Simeon recognizes the fulfillment of God's promised salvation as "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" (vv 30-32; see Isa 9:1-2; 40:5; 42:6; 49:6; 52:10; etc). Jesus name in Hebrew was Yeshua which translates to English as Joshua. Simeon appears to be a normal Jewish man. Four characteristics are given here: From an Old Testament perspective, Simeon was a model of godliness. Simeon at the Temple is a figure in the Gospel of Luke. Simeon does not know that years later Paul will write these words: "11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands- 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Amen! (The same Spirit told him to go to the Temple that day, too.) Shes pondering all right, shes pondering just how hard shes gonna tan his little hide when she gets him home. I like to think it was the shepherds. One day, his parents, Joseph and Mary, took him up to the Temple to present him to God. A widow . Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus There were three characteristics of Simeons Spirit-controlled life: The Spirit-controlled life is a life which is endued with the Spirit, taught of the Spirit and led by the Spirit. I really didn't care about $15,000 at that moment. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility" (Eph 2:11-14). 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 1. For the Holy Spirit to rest upon a man is the highest experience God has for him. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. In Hebrew Simeon means: hearing or listening. He has written over thirty books, including The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top Biblical studies works by Christianity Today. Raymond E. Brown and Karl P. Donfried, eds., Mary in the New Testament (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978), pp. Simon is one Latinised version of the name, the others being Simeon or Symeon. We often picture Jesus taking little children in his arms, and we sing, I would like to have been with him then , but this thought of another receiving Jesus into his arms is much less familiar to us. Unlike Simeon, Anna is not just visiting the Temple for the day; she is there all the time. bringing peace to earth and rebuilding the temple. 22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons" (Luke 2:22-24). That light was symbolized by the Star of Bethlehem, which shone in the dark night when the Prince of Life came into a world torn by avarice, hatred, and war. But the prophetic insight into Gods intentions is a gift which keeps on giving and renewing the people of God. Fear God, love God and honor God for the multitude of things he has done in our behalf, the love He has given us and the graciousness He has shown us through His Son and the Holy Spirit! The Child was to be the shining light that would dawn in human hearts over the whole of the earth. This is the gospel - full of hope, rooted in God's faithfulness, spread to all people, and the most glorious news in all the world! Did the Ancient Israelites Think Children Were People. In which christian text are the teachings of jesus recorded? The wisdom of Almighty God is unsearchable! Furthermore, Joseph seems to be Marys equal regarding getting it. Lets not forget that God spoke to Joseph in dreams and he obeyed each time. The word Messiah, in Hebrew, and the word Christ, in Greek, mean: Anointed One. Learn more about Anna in Robin Gallaher Branchs Bible History Daily article Anna in the Bible.. Luke 2:36-38 tells us that Anna, a prophetess, from the tribe of Asher, was an 84 year old widow, when she saw Jesus at the temple. 2023 Words of Life Ministries - an independent evangelical Registered Charitable Trust (no.269381) Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy Website by: TEKOA Creative, Study 4 JUDAS ISCARIOT: HIS TERRIBLE BETRAYAL, Verse 26 tells us it had been revealed to him. I love the balance that Simeon has - the kind balanced spiritual eyesight that we all need. Rather, he paints a very human and realistic picture of Mary and Joseph as good parents, anxious, concerned, striving to be obedient and understanding, but not yet comprehending. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Teaching Women of the Bible. He was a satisfied old man. According to the Biblical account, Simeon had been visited by the Holy Spirit and told that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Christ. Its very well written; I love what youve got The jewish year in ancient Israel times began in spring, the month of Nisan ,which is about our March/April . Luke uses the story of his life and meeting of the Christ-child to make a very important point for Theophilus, the Roman ruler for whom this book is written. Who are we to really imply something different for the amazing Simeon and his song??!!! Interestingly, in both, the woman is portrayed as the more positive example of discipleship. She changed strategies, "Well, how about $15,000? The Spirit rested upon Moses, and his face shone like that. Anna was the prophetess who saw Jesus when he was presented in the temple by his parents. Who was Anna? Anna, also old in years, had been faithfully worshiping God through fasting and prayer in the temple for 84 years. The Holy Spirit allowed Simeon to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. God is testing us everyday and has given us the right to make our own choices. When he heard the account given by Mary and Joseph to the priest, he interrupted the process of dedication by taking the Child in his arms and making a great spiritual prophecy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. According to Luke 2:2224, [Joseph and Mary] brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord [quoting Exodus 13:2, 12]) and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons [based on Leviticus 12:28].. The late New Testament scholar Raymond Brown wrote: Lukes idea is that complete acceptance of the word of God, complete understanding of who Jesus is, and complete discipleship is not yet possible. As Joseph and Mary marveled at the things spoken of their Child by Simeon, they were blessed by him, and heard Gods purpose for the Child. The doctors of the Law may have been dead spiritually, but these remnant people, who saw the reality contained in the Law and the Prophets, were alive to what God was doing. OK, so I have a slightly different interpretation when it comes to Joseph and Mary finding Jesus after hes been missing for three days. IVE JUST FINISH READING ANNA IS A PROPHETESS FOUND LUKE 2:36. Simeon, believed to be an old man, was waiting for the redemption of Israel, and the Holy Spirit told him that he would not die until he had see the redemption in the infant body of Christ, in the Anointed One of God. This apparatus was prepared by God for the salvation of all people. Reading this narrative, we sense that it was perfectly proper for this old man to take the Baby Jesus in his arms because of what he was and who he was. The picture presents the contrast of age and of youth, of one nearing the end of the journey of life and one at the beginning. Their hearts were right with God. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the Temple. The Holy Ghost is the author of all scripture (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21), and the great message of the scriptures concerning the future is that Jesus is coming again - look up John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 John 3:1-3). When Joseph (far left) and Mary (left of center) bring baby Jesus to the Jerusalem Temple, they are greeted by Simeon, who embraces the baby, and Anna, the New Testaments only prophetess, shown at right with a scroll, in this 1342 tempera painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the Temple on the day Joseph, Mary and Jesus were there. The event occurred when Joseph and Mary brought the Child to the Temple to present him to the Lord, according to the law of Moses. When Simeon saw the Lords Christ, he took him up in his arms and blessed God, saying, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. This taking Jesus into his arms was an act of the will by Simeon. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told Mary, his mother, This infant is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and rise. Simeon gets very personal here with Mary telling her that she will suffer greatly by the suffering of her son. There are critical moments in life when everything depends upon immediate submission to the impulse of the Spirit. Not everyone can be a prophet, however. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the Messiah. together regarding her first born. Most of parenthood is like this for me. It was God the Fathers and Holy Spirits job to prepare Jesus until he was ready to start His ministry. He sees the Christ child with his own eyes and finds fulfillment. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to . Mary, for example, does not fully understand what Anna immediately recognizes. Mary also tells the Archangel Gabriel she agrees to having the Son of God. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. See something we missed? He took Jesus in his arms, held him close and began to bless the Lord. Anna was about 106 years old depending upon when she wed. Jesus at the age of twelve accompanies Mary and Joseph, and a large group of their relatives and friends to Jerusalem on pilgrimage, according to the custom that is, Passover. Notice also that the Holy Spirit always leads to and glorifies the Lord Jesus - compare verse 27 with John 16:13-14. Simeon saw the all-surpassing worth of the Messiah. Simeon spoke to Mary, Jesus' mother. It was through this child that sin could permanently be forgiven. One's response to Christ reveals the true condition of the heart. Jesus is the one that they have been longing and looking for. He would not die until he saw for himself the coming Messiah. He will, in fact, be rejected. Wiki User 2011-01-25 . The presentations by all, are excellent and non-controversial. Now he sees his long-desired Star. Hey, if the Holy Spirit tells Simeon he will not die till he sees the Messiah, and if hes been waiting his entire life perhaps, and hes faithful and in the temple and he comes and serves as that second witness ~ that may be Gods total will for his lifes ending, different from Annas, but just as powerful. . Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update. We are told this in verse 25, and it means that his life was honest and upright in the eyes of men. This is a stand that is very difficult for me to follow how one gets there, since Mary was told by Gabriel, John (to be the Baptist) at 6 mos responded, Elizabeth told her, again all the torment when she rtnd from Elizabeths, the shepards and the wise men the woman would have had to of had amnesia not to know. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the I like the stress on Mary and Joseph as good parents who nevertheless dont get it. i know PROTESTANTS dont credit private interpretations. how old was simeon when he saw jesus Mary and Joseph bring Jesus into the temple to dedicate Him forty days after his birth. In the free ebook Who Was Jesus? Gods command to us is that we should be holy (Leviticus 20:7), and His provision is the gift of the Holy Ghost who reproduces within us the holiness of the Lord Jesus Himself. (We know that the eighth day after birth is the first of the following 33 days because the account also says that after the birth of a daughter a mother waits twice as long, specifically 14 + 66 = 80 days.) my name is david snyder. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Simeon. She, too, recognizes Jesus as messiah, but she has a very different reaction: At that moment, she came and began to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38). Simeon in the Bible (pronounced Sim-ee-uhn) was a devout and just man. How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus?Simeon the priest was a very old man , could be in his late seventies. Copyright College Park Church - Indianapolis, Indiana. He had a personal encounter with Jesus, and foresaw Christ's future crucifixion. THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. Oh to have the world know this about the followers of Christ. Yes, a messiah has arrived, as Simeon recognizes, but, as the prophetess Anna suggests, a new era, with a new and living voice of prophecy, has at the same time dawned.1 In this new era, the living voice of God will continue to speak about the messianic one. Because that is what Simon said. Seems to me, she was there to let the rest of us know. At the time of Jesus being dedicated to the Lord at the Temple and Mary and Joseph offering their sacrifice for purification, both Simeon and Anna recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah and sang his praises to all around them. Another assumption that is often made is that Simeon was a priest. As a sword would pierce his heart, so figuratively a sword of suffering would pierce Marys heart. Anna begins to preach: She came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Both are quicker than Mary to comprehend who Jesus is. Here is the picture of a surrendered life - a life which recognises Jesus as the Lord, which takes the place of a bond-servant under His authority and which is completely submissive to His word. God is going global! 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. If they acknowledge Christ, then they must be humble and bend the knee to God as their creator. Alfred Plummer, in his classic commentary on Luke, suggested that the difference between Anna and Simeon provides a clue to Luke as a salvation historian, a chronicler of the mighty acts of God for his people through the ages. This phrase either means that many will be humbled and spiritually raised up because of him (like the story of the publican in Luke 18:9ff), or it means that Jesus will be a stone over which some will fall and perish while others are spiritual "risen up" by God's power (see Luke 1:51-53). He shall be great, and men will know him for the Son of the most High; the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob eternally; his kingdom shall never have an end., 2. In verse 32 he stated that the Lord Jesus was to be, first, a light for revelation to the Gentiles; and second, for glory to your people Israel. In the birth narratives about Jesus, we meet Simeon and Anna, who were also "waiting for consolation" (Luke 2:25). Jesus walking on water in John 6:16-24. In John 21, Jesus is asking Peter if he really loves Him. 2. That is also why she stood at the cross and did not kneel. This was Simeons one opportunity to see the Lords Christ. All men will not accept Jesus. It is sign that reveals the attitude of human hearts. A graduate of UNC, Chapel Hill, he went on to receive the M.Div. Also, he will be a sign that will be opposed. Central to Simeon's spiritual eyesight was a deeply rooted godliness. Jesus mouthing off to his mother in public after they have been frantic after losing him in a larger metropolitan area for three days. To share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. 30 because my eyes have seen your salvation, Also, what she went through when almost stone, seems many want to believe Mary just forgot all that, As well as, all the towns people. If these shepherds were in charge of Then Simeon announced that the Child was for a sign which shall be spoken against that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. This also was a quotation from Isaiah (7:14). Gospel account The episode is described in Luke 2:4152. Verse 26 tells us that God had revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Of course, in the end, Luke portrays Mary as successfully making the spiritual journey into the family of faith; in Acts 1:14, when the apostles gather in the upper room after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, Mary is with them. And nobodys recognizing John the Baptists testimony to knowing who Jesus wasfrom the womb! 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (Eph 2:19). Luke may also have seen Anna as the second witness in or around the Temple needed to validate Jesus significance. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! Barbara Simeon Expand search. He expresses this so well in verse 32, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.". What did Simeon do when he saw Jesus? Simeon's testimony was great in that he said that he saw the salvation in Jesus and Jesus was the one whom the Father had prepared before the face of all the people and also that Jesus was the light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel. referred to as Simeon, in which case he was both an apostle and Wouldn't it be awesome if that was our view of life when it comes to the gospel? What would prompt you to say, "Okay, now I'm ready to die!" When Joseph was the vizier of Egypt, he held Simeon in prison until the rest of his brothers came back to Egypt from Canaan ( Genesis 42:18-19, 24 ). Simeon understood the treasure of a godly life. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Messiah. You can be sure God the father and Holy Spirit let Him know about it. The house of Abijahs servicetime was the number 8, thus the second half of the 4th month of the jewish year which was about June. He is called "devout." He was careful about his religious observances. Home / / how old was simeon when he saw jesus. She became a widow after seven years of marriage to her husband. So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. God told Simeon that he would see Jesus who was the Son of God. When Simeon saw Jesus he took Him in his arms and praised God. When that Child came into the world, he brought nothing but a soul. The reason we assume him to be old is that when he holds Jesus in his arms, he says to God, "Now you are letting your servant depart in peace." He may have been old, but not necessarily so. Luke records that Jesus' parents "marveled at what was said about him" ( Luke 2:33 ). The Law also allowed, in the cases of poverty, for two pigeons or turtledoves to be offered instead of a lamb. In this, Mary contrasts sharply with Simeon and Anna, two elderly individuals who happen to be in the Temple when Joseph and Mary bring the infant Jesus to Jerusalem for the first time. She was very old, around 84 years old when she saw Jesus in the temple.Refer also to Luke 2:36-38. Biblical Archaeology Society, [] Witherington IIIs full essay Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah? is accessible online for free. 31 which you prepared for all people to see The redemptive offerings, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, all spoke to them of the coming Christ. Its amazing all the women named or not named. 1) it is said in the New Testament that Philip had four daughters who prophesied and certainly could be considered prophetesses, with Anna not the only one: Acts 21:8-9 I believe that Luke records this account to show Theophilus and all of us that Simeon saw the gospel - an attractive, broad, costly, and satisfying gospel. Bauxite mining would threaten birds, plants, and clean water. Simeon had an insight into dispensational truth, as verses 30-32 indicate. Keeping with SOLO SCIPTURUAE, we have left out the first procession of CORPUS CHRISTI, which is MARY visiting ELIZABETH. Instead of the adolecents response, Jesus said this time, my time has not yet come. Followed immediatly by changing the water into wine. There is no great incentive to holy living than to believe, to live and to labour in the conviction that the Lord Jesus is coming again look up 1 John 3:3. The glorious hope of the Saviours first advent powerfully influenced Simeons life, and the blessed hope of the Lords return should be a powerful incentive to us for holy living and sacrificial service - look up Titus 2:11-13. They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. Having seen the messiah, Simeon is now prepared to die. If you ever want to read something that fills in the blanks an,d plays out like a movie, read MYSTICAL CITY OF GOD by SISTER MARY of AGREEDA. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. news about the Christ Child to everyone in Jerusalem looking for Only after years of pondering the message in her heart does she become a true follower of Jesus. Museo Civico, Recanati, Italy/Scala/Art Resource, NY. 30 The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

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