how old was simeon when he saw jesus

The violations of the Law of God, the iniquity, immorality, and injustice of their day, only deepened their desire for the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the advent of the Messiah. He expresses this so well in verse 32, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.". 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. Simeon was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. Simeon saw the all-surpassing worth of the Messiah. May God give us the kind of spiritual eyesight to see it and lives to live it! What are the Physical devices used to construct memories? God is going global! The Spirit had prepared him to meet Jesus at the correct moment and had providentially brought them together. He had been told by God, as a much younger man, that he would definitely see the Jewish Messiah before he died. ANNA. at the manger. 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). We have a drawing for $15,000 cash!" Granted it is glorious and attractive, but it is not safe. 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. Brown adds, however, that Luke does not leave Mary on the negative note of misunderstanding. Simeon praised God. Put all of that together and what you have is a very costly gospel. This is the time Simeon and Anna saw Jesus. 25 A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. Healing the man blind from birth in John 9:1-7. At that circumcision ceremony babies were given their name. Thus Simeon was driven under the impulse of the Spirit into the Temple, and when he was confronted with the Christ Child, it was necessary to receive him into his arms, not doubting because of the poverty, the humility, or the insignificance of this family. Simeon waited and watched for the Babe of Bethlehem, and you and I are to wait and watch for the Lord who said, I will come back, and take you to be with me (John 14:3). We learn (vs 25) that he lived in Jerusalem. There was a lady named Anna that lived in Jerusalem also. 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. What a gift that God had given him! One's response to Christ reveals the true condition of the heart. The Faith That Waits: Simeon's Story | Make it a Garden 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). How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus?Simeon the priest was a very old man , could be in his late seventies. The redemptive offerings, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, all spoke to them of the coming Christ. 3 Pilgrimage Paths from Galilee to Jerusalem, Dating the Oldest New Testament Christian Manuscripts, The Bethesda Pool, Site of One of Jesus Miracles. Anna was the prophetess who saw Jesus when he was presented in the temple by his parents. referred to as Simeon, in which case he was both an apostle and Because that is what Simon said. Simeon declared the Child to be the glory of thy people Israel. That an Israelite should first mention Christ as the means of enlightening the heathen and then emphasize the glory of Israel was an unusual order in pre-Christian times and thinking. What is the overall storyline of jesus existence according to johns gospel. This lesson is about Simeon, an old man, who had a special hope fulfilled by God. 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. Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and praises God: Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:2832). Consolation meets us in our. we can know when Jesus was born. Simeon Saw Salvation in Jesus | Message of Cross Let a man be confronted with Christ as a supernatural person, one born without a human father, brought into the world through the womb of a virgin, as the apparatus of redemption, and he will reveal his own hearts condition by his attitude toward this supernatural Christ. Who are we to really imply something different for the amazing Simeon and his song??!!! 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 apparatus was prepared by God for the salvation of all people. In the Bible , Simeon was the old man who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. As a sword would pierce his heart, so figuratively a sword of suffering would pierce Marys heart. Additionally he was not a direct descendant of David. 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. Anna then approaches the Holy Family. For some reason, Simeon, alone of all people, had been promised that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Anointed (Christ). Is there evidence outside of the Bible that proves he actually walked the earth? 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:). Simeon had long searched the Scriptures and prayed and waited for the coming of the Messiah in fulfillment of prophecy. However, there is one very important thing which we are told about him, and that is that day by day, as he lived and worked, he was waiting for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25); that is, he was waiting for and living in the expectation of the coming of the Messiah. Rather, it was the summit of his life-long experience with God. I love the balance that Simeon has - the kind balanced spiritual eyesight that we all need. Shes pondering all right, shes pondering just how hard shes gonna tan his little hide when she gets him home. Many, many years before Jesus came to earth as a baby, God had given Moses laws for His people to obey. The Bible does not mention his age at all , but it does say he Let us begin each day, as Simeon must have begun each day, by saying, I wonder if my Lord will come today!. It is . The story of Jesus birth is framed by two such storiesthat of Elizabeth and Zechariah in Luke 1 and Anna and Simeon in Luke 2. "Yeah, I know you'd probably leave your husband, but I'm going to believe that God can restore our marriage." husband passed away seven years after her wedding. If we do, we will rejoice as did Simeon on that occasion. Therefore, the ages of Simeon and Anna are very important. Simeon and the Child Jesus | Christianity Today 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). Your email address will not be published. The Spirit gave Simeon divine revelationit was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lords Christ. The word translated revealed is actually a divine response. In the active tense the word means to transact business, to make an answer to those who seek advice. The use of the word in the passive bespeaks revelation made by God in response to the seeking of man. If Mary were first to know, then surely Elizabeth was second, or if Mary did not realize, then Eizabeth was first to know. In the birth narratives about Jesus, we meet Simeon and Anna, who were also "waiting for consolation" (Luke 2:25). It shows that Simeon had received a gracious dealing from God in response to his own searching for divine guidance. It is evident from scripture, by the fact that the people in His hometown and His siblings didnt know He was the Messia (after thirty yrs), that Mary, Joseph or Jesus ever revealed this. Raymond E. Brown and Karl P. Donfried, eds., Mary in the New Testament (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1978), pp. Simeon blesses Jesus | Bibleview Luke portrays the rise of a form of Judaism that would rely on the testimony of women as well as men, and that would empower them once again to fulfill roles like Miriam of old. Director Jon Erwin discusses his inspiration for the film and how history might be repeating itself today. Summary of Jesus life He was born to Joseph and Mary sometime between 6 bce and shortly before the death of Herod the Great (Matthew 2; Luke 1:5) in 4 bce. To me, this is a powerful image and one that begs a very important question - "What did he see?" Good Stuff Ben and I love preaching on Simeon and Anna over the years, thanks. Simeon was a righteous and devout man who lived in Jerusalem. One of the themes of Jesus in the Synoptic tradition seems to be the emphasis that ones own family can become a stumbling block to their walk of faith. In these Old Testament types and experiences, they saw Christ. wish to examine some-more about his analysis? Simeon accepted the Baby Jesus as the Christ of God. What did Simeon do when he saw Jesus? redemption. Jesus, the adolecent, wasnt sining or lying here he was jumping the gun. Simeon had an insight into dispensational truth, as verses 30-32 indicate. 7. How old was Simeon of the New Testament? - Answers He had been baptized and already started gathering his disciples. Let us know if corrections need to be made. 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. The Bible does not tell us his age, but one thing is very clear he was a very, very old man.But he was the man who recognized Jesus was the savior even with his dim eyes. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. It seems that Luke wants to make this scene very personal for Simeon and Anna. And God has graciously given us signs by which we may know that the second coming of His Son is very near. In Hebrew Simeon means: hearing or listening. Plus, even before Mary was with the Apostles during Christs ressurecction, she also (quite a few years before) told Jesus friends (Apostles) to do what he tells them at the wedding in Cana! The Prophecy of Simeon 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He also saw Mary standing by that cross, pierced in heart at the suffering of her child. 2) Im not sure why Simeons reaponse has to be considered less than Annas? He saw the gospel clearly, and he was a satisfied man. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.". 1. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would die before he saw the Adding to what David said, Two important points, to say the least: 1. Luke wants to show that both of these people have been patiently waiting for the Messiah. 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. 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. 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. Simeon took the baby Jesus into his arms. This is the time Simeon and Anna saw Jesus. Simeon recognised Jesus as the Christ as soon as he saw him, and blessed the young family. Share your feedback here. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your God holds our every breath. (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.) Now we turn briefly to Simeon's farewell to the world (2:29-35). He was a faithful temple goer which means that he regularly met with God. What an act of faith that was! 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. Uffizi/Scala/Art Resource, NY. 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). Copy. Simeon instantly and independently recognizes Jesus as messiah. 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). "The thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." Several years ago I received a telemarketing call, and I did something I've never done before. In fact, she is the only woman in the New Testament explicitly described as a prophetess. She then stands in the line of figures like the judge, military leader and prophetess Deborah and the Jerusalem prophetess Huldah, who, in the days of King Josiah, was asked to verify that an ancient scroll (a form of Deuteronomy) discovered during Temple renovations was indeed the word of God (2 Kings 22). The scene that Luke wants to highlight is more than just historical fulfillment. Simeon and Anna meet Baby Jesus | My Blog Which she knows fullwell, she had pondered this in her heart. Thus Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. Simeon, who saw the baby Jesus, was neither an apostle or Barbara Simeon on LinkedIn: #customerexperience #sounddecisionmaking # How did the 2nd February come to be called Candlemas ? 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. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Simeon. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images. They had dedicated the baby Jesus according to the law of Moses, and they traveled to Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Durham in England. How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus in the temple? - Answers As in Simeons day, the message needed is, Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.. Peace is not linked to an absence of conflict or pain, but to the assurance that God keeps His word. Simeon's Farewell to the World | Desiring God Also read Numbers 8:17 and Numbers 18:14-1, The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary about the birth of Jesus, An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, Angels praised God for the birth of Jesus, Jesus at 40 days old was taken to the Temple, Magi traveled from the East to find Jesus, King Herod the Great plans how to kill Jesus, Timeline for Birth of Jesus The Christmas Story, Background Information Birth of Jesus The Christmas Story. How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him? - Answers In Lorenzo Lottos unusual rendition of the Annunciation, dated to 1535, Marys cat is equally frightened by the divine apparition. Simeon meets the baby Jesus (Luke 2:21-32) - easyenglish.bible 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! The neuter gender is used for the word salvation. 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! Elizabeth proclaims How is it that the mother of our Lord should come to me? My bet is even if Mary, as you infer, had no idea who Jesus was, then Elizabeth was the first to notify her of the significance of Jesus. 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. The nunc dimittis of Simeon emphasizes the end of a long vigil of waiting. The flame of hope must have been fanned by the report spread abroad by the shepherds of the events at Bethlehem just forty days before. They were devout in their worship and righteous in their dealings with their fellow men. What would prompt you to say, "Okay, now I'm ready to die!" The first Christmas and the Christ child come at a particular point in time, but for many, like Mary and Joseph, the significance of the event is only understood incrementally and over the course of many years. Jesus was never the Messiah ! According to Luke, Mary treasures the angels message, but does not fully understand it. Let me first give you my thesis, and then try to show you three ways that I see this in the text. Simeon was a part of the group of brothers who sold Joseph into slavery and then lied to Jacob, saying that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal ( Genesis 37 ). This is clear. May we be as ready to welcome the Lord Jesus when He comes the second time as Simeon was to welcome Him when He came the first time - look up Revelation 22:20! Doesnt it say that they thought he had gone mad? But the prophetic insight into Gods intentions is a gift which keeps on giving and renewing the people of God. Rather, Christmas calls to remember that Jesus is not only the reason for the season, He is only reason for living or (in Simeon's case) dying. While considering Dr. Witheringtons question, I would like to ask, How about Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah, whose response to Marys arrival plainly states that the Spirit revealed to her the identity of the unborn Messiah? Luke 1:41-43 reads, When Elizabeth heard Marys greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. GOD THE FATHER, HOLY SPIRIT, JESUS AND MARY AT THE TEMPLE Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: by Mark Vroegop. Feeding the 5000 in John 6:5-14. 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. we are in the 8th month. A little Child who was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a virgin was to be the means of the deliverance of Gods people. I like to think it was the shepherds. Continue Learning about Religious Studies. She is 84 years old, according to Luke, and she does not want to die: She wants to proselytize. How old was Simeon when he held Jesus? - chroniclesdengen.com It's interesting to compare Mary's 40 days of . No wonder they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, (luke 2:17). Did the Ancient Israelites Think Children Were People. Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah? How old was Jesus when simeon and Anna saw him. Behold, from this day forward all generations will count me blessed; because he who is mighty, he whose name is holy, has wrought for me his wonders. 2021 Calvary Chapel Augusta - WordPress Theme : by, Who was with jesus on the mount of transfiguration, Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost, What happened after jesus rose on the third day, What was jesus wrapped in when he was born, Why did jesus go to the desert for 40 days, What is church of jesus christ of latter day saints. According to Luke, Anna never left the Temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day (Luke 2:37). Simeon's words assert that 1) Jesus would be the salvation of the world, 2) He would deliver truth not only to those in Israel but also to the Gentiles, and 3) Jesus would bring glory upon the people of Israel. How did he meet the test of life? Routing number of commercial bank of Ethiopia? There are critical moments in life when everything depends upon immediate submission to the impulse of the Spirit. He sees the Christ child with his own eyes and finds fulfillment. Having seen the messiah, Simeon is now prepared 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 sang when he saw the infant Christ - and we still sing today. All rights reserved. How old was Simeon when he saw Jesus in the temple? - Answers He was a prophet and teacher. What distinguishes Simeon is not his position, but his godliness. 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. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:25-35 ESV). 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. It is surely significant that his name means Hearing with alacrity. 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. Are there verses I have missed about her memory leave her?>, [] Witherington IIIs full letter Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First identified Jesus as Messiah? is permitted on-line during no cost. Simeon is so satisfied in the beauty God's ability to keep His word. She was very old, around 84 years old when she saw Jesus in the temple.Refer also to Luke 2:36-38. She didnt understand why he At least that seems to be what you imply. This is because in addition to being a proselytizer, Anna is a prophetess (Luke 2:36). about the historical past and tradition of historical Egypt. Lucas 2 SND;KJV - Ipinanganak si Jesus - Nangyari, nang - Bible Gateway Have you bent your knee and turned to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Keeping them wrapped prevented them from becoming blemished later on. Also, he will be a sign that will be opposed. He has protected his servant Israel, keeping his merciful design in remembrance, according to the promise which he made to our forefathers, Abraham and his posterity for evermore.. Central to Simeon's spiritual eyesight was a deeply rooted godliness. I mean not just a chuckle, but a hearty laugh. God is testing us everyday and has given us the right to make our own choices. 8:14). "Oh," I said, "I really don't like Chevy Blazers". For such a learned scholar he does not read throughly all of Luke. The Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost, and they enjoyed power. i was searching for private visions by people who have had additional explanations, suvh as the annunciation. Seems to me, she was there to let the rest of us know. So, I'd like to call you to be like Simeon - a man supremely satisfied with a costly gospel. You see, treasuring godliness and the worth of the gospel are tested when following Christ costs you something. Simeon lived in Jerusalem. To unlock this article for your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. There were many details concerning the incarnation about which he was not at all clear, but of the fact that the Lord would come he was positive. Biblical Archaeology Society, [] Witherington IIIs full essay Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah? is accessible online for free. Simeon the priest was a very old man , could be in his late seventies. You seem to have forgotten about Elizabeths greeting to Mary many months before Mary met Anna at the temple. When Simeon saw Him for whom his soul had been longing, he took Him in his arms.