ANNA. When that old man went out of the world he took nothing but a soul. Verse 25 tells us this, and it means that while he was honest and upright in the sight of men, he was holy (as the word really means) in the sight of God. 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. Does not detract from the subject matter, but some would doubt your research capabilities. Even better, Mary understood that she had indeed been greatly blessed, and that all generations would call [her] Blessed. Anna wasnt there to tell Mary something she didnt already know. 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. THE WEDDING AT CANA Treasuring God at one level gave him eyesight to see something at another level. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be unto me according to thy word., 3. You see, treasuring godliness and the worth of the gospel are tested when following Christ costs you something. "The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." Your statement says she is the only woman in New Testament explicitly described as a prophetess. 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 jewish year in ancient Israel times began in spring, the month of Nisan ,which is about our March/April . redemption. This is clear. And who better to give it to than a man who would fully appreciate it. In response, Mary made it quite clear to Gabriel that she understood: Wikimedia CommonsThe Greek transliteration of Jesus real name , Isous, and the late Biblical Hebrew version Yeshua. The Book of Luke records just two narratives about Jesus childhood: His dedication (Luke 2:21- 40) and His time at the temple when He was 12 years old (Luke 2:41-52). Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce this material in any format provided that you do not alter the content in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. When Jesus was 40 days old Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for another ceremony. Hebrew Sukkot is the plural from Suka booth, tent, tabernacle. Simeon understood the treasure of a godly life. how old was simeon when he saw jesus. I think one of the things Mary was pondering in her heart must have related to the Shepherds visit Simeon ( Greek: ) at the Temple is the "just and devout" man of Jerusalem who, according to Luke 2:25-35, met Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they entered the Temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses on the 40th day from Jesus' birth, i. e. the presentation of Jesus at the Temple . God is going global! 3 Pilgrimage Paths from Galilee to Jerusalem, Dating the Oldest New Testament Christian Manuscripts, The Bethesda Pool, Site of One of Jesus Miracles. Which scripture acknowledges by saying Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. He was obident and honored them for another 18 yrs until the God given time had come and He revelled himself by changing the water into wine at the Cana wedding. He was satisfied with the gospel. disturbing images regarding jesus future. The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the Temple on the day Joseph, Mary and Jesus were there. The Spirit had prepared him to meet Jesus at the correct moment and had providentially brought them together. By this time Simeon was a very old man. Dig into more than 9,000 articles in the Biblical Archaeology Societys vast library plus much morewith an All-Access pass. . 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. Mary then announced to Elizabeth (and the world): I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your Who were the models in Van Halen's finish what you started video? He loved God. Their hearts were right with God. In fact, people may even laugh at your Christ-centered satisfaction. I enjoyed your article and found only one flaw which to some lends itself to your research or thoroughness of it. we can know when Jesus was born. On the next day we who were Pauls companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Home / / how old was simeon when he saw jesus. Simeon described the Child as a light to lighten the Gentiles. The Gentiles refers to the nations other than Israel. In the Bible , Simeon was the old man who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 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. As a crowning reward of his life, God showed him that he should not die until the Christ came. In Lorenzo Lottos unusual rendition of the Annunciation, dated to 1535, Marys cat is equally frightened by the divine apparition. Luke says of Anna: And there was Anna she was of great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow fourscore and four years, You give Anna the age of 84however considering girls were approximately 15 when wed, she lived with her husband 7 years and had been a widow 84 years. 12:). (The same Spirit told him to go to the Temple that day, too.) He was a good man and very religious. They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. The neuter gender is used for the word salvation. It reminds me of this New Testament passage: 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. But Mary is also puzzled by the divine message; she is perplexed when the angel greets her and must ponder the meaning of his words (Luke 1:29; see also 2:19). So we know from this that Jesus was 7 + 33 = 40 days old at the time of this ceremony. This. 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. Luke's point for Theophilus is that this Christ-child is the one that God-fearing, law-keeping, and faith-filled people looked for. Simeon, a right living and very devout man of faith, was frequently in the Temple meditating, and in a constant state of anticipation of the most significant foretold event in the Jewish faith the arrival of the Jewish Messiah. 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. Having seen the messiah, Simeon is now prepared to die. Did he marry? Oh to have the world know this about the followers of Christ. "Yeah, I know you'd probably leave your husband, but I'm going to believe that God can restore our marriage." 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. 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. As a sword would pierce his heart, so figuratively a sword of suffering would pierce Marys heart. Joseph and Mary were in at the Temple in Jerusalem for the redemption of Jesus as the firstborn and the purification of His mother, Mary, as per the Law of Moses in the first five books of the Bible. Let us know if corrections need to be made. So, I'd like to call you to be like Simeon - a man supremely satisfied with a costly gospel. What is are the functions of diverse organisms? 30 The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "Yeah, you know what I really don't need this job if you are going to make me do that." Deuteronomy 19:15 stresses the importance of having two witnesses to validate an event. He prayed, "God, You kept Your promise, and I have 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lords Messiah. 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). The redemptive offerings, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, all spoke to them of the coming Christ. See answer (1) Best Answer. Published November 29, 2021. 2) Im not sure why Simeons reaponse has to be considered less than Annas? Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms. For these people, whether in Jerusalem or in other cities of the Holy Land, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and the spiritual teachings of the prophets were adequate preparation for the coming of Christ. Twelve years after the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the Holy Family returns to Jerusalem and Jesus returns to the Temple, this time by himself. It seems that Luke wants to make this scene very personal for Simeon and Anna. Simeon went to the temple and held the Christ. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. Ipinanganak si Jesus. 2:25 Now a man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. Have something to add about this? 30 because my eyes have seen your salvation, Ben Witherington III is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. Thus - Simeon was ready to welcome the Lord Jesus when He came. What distinguishes Simeon is not his position, but his godliness. But also wanted to add two points: This is the time Simeon and Anna saw Jesus. We then count 3 and a half months from 1. Required fields are marked *. (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.). He is now considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world, and is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies. "For the fall and rising of many." 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. 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. The presentations by all, are excellent and non-controversial. Did the Ancient Israelites Think Children Were People. Simeon went into the church in Jerusalem. A widow . She became a widow after seven years of marriage to her husband. Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Jesus Revolution Director: Were at the Forefront of a Return to God, Christian Conservationists Sue to Protect Ghana Forest, Complete access to articles on ChristianityToday.com, Over 120 years of magazine archives plus full access to all of CTs online archives. By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. 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. I love the balance that Simeon has - the kind balanced spiritual eyesight that we all need. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. "Oh," I said, "I really don't like Chevy Blazers". my name is david snyder. 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. How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him?Jesus was approximately 40/41 days old at the time His mother, Mary was required to make an offering at the temple (Leviticus 12:). He knew that although He had come to His own people they would reject Him, and the gospel would be preached to the Gentiles (John 1:11; Acts 28:28). Now we turn briefly to Simeon's farewell to the world (2:29-35). It is . Leviticus 12:1-8 gave clear instructions that after the birth of a child a woman was ceremonially unclean. He is at peace and his heart is filled with hope because he knows that God has fulfilled His promise. 31 which you prepared for all people to see He will bring the revelation to non-Jewish people in order to bring Jews and Gentiles to God. So what? He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. The holy family had made its little pilgrimage from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, a distance of about five miles, to accomplish what was called the purification of Mary. Luke records that Jesus' parents "marveled at what was said about him" ( Luke 2:33 ). He holds the Th.B (Westminster Seminary) and Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh). Get the best from CT editors, delivered straight to your inbox! He was a faithful temple goer which means that he regularly met with God. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current . When the divine illumination concerning Christ comes to us, we too must act immediately in submission and receive the Christ. I made the telemarketer laugh. 27 Led by the Spirit, he went into the Temple. 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. www.yourchurch.com. 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). Seems to me like they didnt get it. Exploring the History of Jesus Life, examine fundamental questions about Jesus of Nazareth. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call him Jesus. Consolation meets us in our. Mary and Joseph marvel at what Simeon says about him (v 33) and then he says something stunning to Mary: "This child is appointed" Simeon knew and Mary and Joseph were only beginning to fully understand that this little baby was part of massive plan determined even before the foundations of the earth (Eph 3:11, Heb 4:3, Rev 13:8). 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. He was waiting for the time when God would help Israel. As you celebrate this holiday, exchange gifts, enjoy days of rest, and time with family - I just want to remind you that this holiday is about the glory and the beauty of the gospel! Put all of that together and what you have is a very costly gospel. The Spirit rested upon Samson, and he did marvelous exploits. Simeon appears to be a normal Jewish man. 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. Amen! 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.