The Holy Spirit had revealed to himThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the Gospel of Luke, often guiding and revealing divine truths. This phrase indicates the active presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, even before Pentecost. The Holy Spirit's revelation to Simeon underscores the Spirit's role in prophecy and divine communication, as seen throughout the Old Testament with prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel.
that he would not see death
This promise to Simeon is a personal assurance of witnessing the fulfillment of God's salvation plan. It reflects the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His promises. The concept of not seeing death until a divine promise is fulfilled can be paralleled with the experiences of other biblical figures who received specific promises from God, such as Abraham and the promise of Isaac.
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ
"The Lord's Christ" refers to the Messiah, the anointed one sent by God to deliver His people. This title emphasizes Jesus' divine mission and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, such as those found inIsaiah 9:6-7 andMicah 5:2. The anticipation of the Messiah was a central hope for the Jewish people, and Simeon's revelation highlights the culmination of this hope in Jesus. The phrase also connects to the broader narrative of Luke, which presents Jesus as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SimeonA devout and righteous man in Jerusalem who was waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him, and he was promised that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.
2.
The Holy SpiritThe third person of the Trinity, who revealed to Simeon that he would see the Messiah before his death. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding and revealing God's plans to His people.
3.
The Lord’s ChristRefers to Jesus, the Messiah, whom Simeon was promised to see. "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One."
4.
JerusalemThe city where these events took place, significant as the religious and cultural center of Jewish life and the location of the Temple.
5.
The Consolation of IsraelA term referring to the hope and expectation of the coming Messiah who would bring comfort and redemption to Israel.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit actively communicates God's promises and guidance to believers. We should seek to be sensitive to the Spirit's leading in our lives.
Faith and PatienceSimeon's life exemplifies faith and patience as he waited for God's promise to be fulfilled. We are encouraged to trust in God's timing and promises.
The Fulfillment of God's PromisesGod's promises are sure and will be fulfilled. Simeon's experience reminds us that God is faithful to His word.
The Expectation of ChristJust as Simeon awaited the first coming of Christ, we are called to live in expectation of His return.
The Importance of Spiritual ReadinessSimeon's readiness to receive the Messiah challenges us to be spiritually prepared for God's work in our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 2:26?
2.How does Luke 2:26 demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises?
3.What role does the Holy Spirit play in revealing truth in Luke 2:26?
4.How can we seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in our daily lives?
5.How does Simeon's experience in Luke 2:26 inspire patience in awaiting God's promises?
6.What other scriptures highlight the importance of the Holy Spirit's revelation?
7.How does Luke 2:26 affirm the role of prophecy in Christian theology?
8.What evidence supports the historical accuracy of Luke 2:26?
9.How does Luke 2:26 influence the understanding of divine revelation?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 2?
11.What does 'not under the law' mean for Christians?
12.What does the Bible say about our beliefs?
13.Who was Simeon in the Bible?
14.In Acts 19:2-6, how credible is the claim that believers who were already baptized needed a second baptism for the Holy Spirit, and why wouldn't the first baptism suffice?What Does Luke 2:26 Mean
The Holy Spirit- Luke records, “And the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25), underscoring that Simeon’s experience is Spirit-initiated.
- The Spirit’s ministry has always been to point to Christ (John 16:13–14) and to empower believers for God’s purposes (Acts 1:8).
- Just as the Spirit overshadowed Mary at Jesus’ conception (Luke 1:35), He now orchestrates this meeting so that the infant Messiah is recognized.
Had revealed- Revelation is the Spirit’s gracious unveiling of truth otherwise unseen (1 Corinthians 2:10–12).
- God consistently discloses His plans to servants who walk closely with Him (Amos 3:7;Matthew 16:17).
- Simeon’s insight is not mere intuition; it is divinely communicated certainty that invites confident expectation.
To him- Simeon is described as “righteous and devout” (Luke 2:25), a man whose life aligns with God’s covenant.
- Personal revelation often follows personal devotion (Psalm 25:14).
- Though living under Rome’s shadow, he embodies the remnant who “receive the word with all readiness” (Acts 17:11) and anchor hope in the coming Redeemer.
That he would not see death- The promise is strikingly literal: Simeon’s life will be preserved until the prophecy is fulfilled (Psalm 91:16).
- It echoes God’s faithfulness to keep His servants until their mission is complete (Psalm 118:17;2 Peter 3:9 speaks of God’s patience in fulfilling His word).
- This assurance turns every sunrise for Simeon into a reminder of God’s unbroken pledge.
Before he had seen- The verb “see” highlights firsthand experience; faith is rewarded with sight (John 20:29).
- Biblical faith often involves waiting for what God has promised (Hebrews 11:1;Psalm 27:13), cultivating steadfast hope in the unseen until it becomes visible.
- Each day in the temple becomes an active watch for divine appointment.
The Lord’s Christ- “Christ” means the Anointed One, the promised Messiah foretold inIsaiah 9:6 and announced by angels as “a Savior…Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
- Calling Jesus “the Lord’s Christ” stresses divine ownership and mission (Acts 2:36).
- Simeon will not merely witness a political deliverer but God’s own Son “who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, 41).
summaryLuke 2:26 shows the Holy Spirit personally assuring a faithful believer that he will physically live to behold the incarnate Messiah. The verse combines divine initiative, prophetic revelation, and faithful expectation, culminating in the certainty that God’s anointed Savior will be seen, embraced, and proclaimed exactly as promised.
(26)
It was revealed unto him.--The Greek word is the same as that rendered "warned" in
Matthew 2:12. It implies a divine oracular communication, but rests on a different idea from the "unveiling," which lies at the root of the word "reveal." The message in this case came clearly as an answer to prayers and yearnings.
The Lord's Christ.--The word retains all the fulness of its meaning--the Messiah, the Anointed of Jehovah.
Verse 26. -
That he should not see death. The idea of the aged Simeon comes from a notice in the apocryphal 'Gospel of the Nativity,' which speaks of him as a hundred and thirteen years old. These legendary "Gospels" are totally devoid of all authority; here and there possibly a true "memory" not preserved in any of the "four" may exist, but in general they are extravagant and improbable. The Arabic 'Gospel of the Infancy' here speaks of Simeon seeing the Babe shining like a pillar of light in his mother's arms. There is an old and striking legend which speaks of this devout Jew being long puzzled and disturbed by the Messianic prophecy (
Isaiah 7:14), "A virgin shall conceive;" at length he received a supernatural intimation that he should not see dearth until he had seen the fulfillment of the strange prophecy, the menacing of which he had so long failed to see.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.HolyἉγίου(Hagiou)Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 40:Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.SpiritΠνεύματος(Pneumatos)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151:Wind, breath, spirit.hadἦν(ēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.revealedκεχρηματισμένον(kechrēmatismenon)Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5537:From chrema; to utter an oracle, i.e. Divinely intimate; by implication, to constitute a firm for business, i.e. bear as a title.to himαὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.[that he would] notμὴ(mē)Adverb
Strong's 3361:Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.seeἰδεῖν(idein)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3708:Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.deathθάνατον(thanaton)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288:Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.beforeπρὶν(prin)Adverb
Strong's 4250:Formerly, before. Adverb from pro; prior, sooner.he had seenἴδῃ(idē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3708:Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Lord’sΚυρίου(Kyriou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.Christ.Χριστὸν(Christon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.
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NT Gospels: Luke 2:26 It had been revealed to him (Luke Lu Lk) 
