The Child’s father and motherThis phrase refers to Joseph and Mary, the earthly guardians of Jesus. Joseph, though not the biological father, played a crucial role in Jesus' upbringing, fulfilling the legal and social role of a father in Jewish culture. Mary, chosen by God, was a young woman of faith and obedience. Their presence at the temple signifies their adherence to Jewish law and customs, as they were there for the purification rites and to present Jesus to the Lord, as described earlier in
Luke 2.
were amazed
The amazement of Joseph and Mary reflects their ongoing realization of the divine nature and mission of Jesus. Despite angelic announcements and miraculous events surrounding Jesus' birth, the words spoken by Simeon in the temple further revealed the profound destiny of their child. This amazement is a recurring theme in the Gospels, as Jesus' life and mission continually surpassed human understanding and expectations.
at what was spoken about Him
Simeon's prophecy, which precedes this verse, spoke of Jesus as a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. This was a radical message, indicating that Jesus' mission extended beyond the Jewish people to include all nations. This aligns with Old Testament prophecies, such asIsaiah 42:6, which foretold the Messiah as a light to the Gentiles. The inclusion of Gentiles in God's salvation plan was a significant and surprising revelation to Jewish listeners, including Joseph and Mary.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JosephThe earthly father of Jesus, a righteous man who obeyed God's commands and took Mary as his wife.
2.
MaryThe mother of Jesus, chosen by God to bear the Messiah, known for her faith and obedience.
3.
JesusThe central figure of Christianity, the Son of God, whose birth and life fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
4.
SimeonA devout man in Jerusalem who was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.
5.
JerusalemThe city where the temple was located, a significant place for Jewish worship and prophecy fulfillment.
Teaching Points
Amazement at God's WorkJust as Joseph and Mary were amazed, we should remain in awe of God's work in our lives and His fulfillment of promises.
Faithful ObedienceJoseph and Mary's response to God's plan demonstrates the importance of trusting and obeying God, even when His plans are beyond our understanding.
Recognizing Fulfillment of ProphecyUnderstanding how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies can strengthen our faith and deepen our appreciation for God's redemptive plan.
The Role of Parents in God's PlanJoseph and Mary were chosen to nurture and protect Jesus, reminding us of the significant role parents play in God's purposes for their children.
Witnessing to OthersSimeon's proclamation about Jesus encourages us to share the truth of Christ with others, recognizing the impact of our testimony.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 2:33?
2.How does Luke 2:33 demonstrate Joseph and Mary's amazement at Jesus' identity?
3.What can we learn from Joseph and Mary's reaction to Jesus' prophetic role?
4.How does Luke 2:33 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
5.How should believers today respond to the revelation of Jesus' divine mission?
6.In what ways can we express amazement at Jesus' work in our lives?
7.How does Luke 2:33 challenge the understanding of Jesus' divine and human nature?
8.Why were Joseph and Mary amazed at what was said about Jesus in Luke 2:33?
9.Does Luke 2:33 imply that Joseph was Jesus' biological father?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 2?
11.What is the origin of Mother's Day?
12.What does the Bible say about single mothers?
13.Should you always obey your parents?
14.What occurred with Mary?What Does Luke 2:33 Mean
The Child’s“Jesus” is the focus ofLuke 2:33. From Gabriel’s announcement—“You will call His name Jesus” (Luke 1:31-33)—to the manger scene, every detail in Luke points to Him as the promised Messiah (Isaiah 9:6-7;John 1:14).
• He is God’s incarnate Son, yet fully human, wrapped in swaddling cloths (Luke 2:12).
• He embodies the long-awaited hope of Israel and the light for the nations (Luke 2:30-32;Isaiah 49:6).
father and motherJoseph and Mary stand together, each embracing a distinct role.
• Mary is the virgin who conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:34-35).
• Joseph, though not the biological father, legally names and protects Jesus (Matthew 1:20-24), placing Him within David’s royal line (Luke 2:4).
Their joint obedience fulfills prophecy while modeling godly parenting (Luke 2:39-40).
were amazedA recurrent theme in Luke: ordinary people encounter God’s extraordinary work and are “amazed.”
• Shepherds share angelic news—“all who heard it were amazed” (Luke 2:18).
• Later, neighbors marvel at young Jesus’ wisdom (Luke 4:22).
Here their amazement is:
– Wonder at God’s faithfulness;
– Humble awe that their child carries cosmic significance (Psalm 118:23;Mark 6:2).
at what was spokenSimeon had just declared:
“Behold, this Child is appointed for the rise and fall of many in Israel… and a sword will pierce your own soul” (Luke 2:34-35).
His Spirit-filled words (Luke 2:25-28) reveal:
• Salvation prepared “in the sight of all peoples” (Luke 2:31).
• A universal reach—“a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6;Acts 13:47).
• The cost of redemption—Mary’s future sorrow at the cross (John 19:25-27).
Such depth of prophecy rightly leaves Joseph and Mary speechless.
about HimEvery spoken promise centers on Jesus:
• He will bring salvation (Luke 2:30;Acts 4:12).
• He will face opposition, exposing hearts (Luke 2:34-35;John 3:19-20).
• Ultimately He will be exalted—“at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:9-11;Revelation 5:12).
Their amazement is not at Simeon, but at God’s unfolding plan in their Son.
summaryLuke 2:33 captures a holy moment: Joseph and Mary, faithful yet ordinary, stand stunned as God confirms Jesus’ identity and mission through Simeon. Their amazement underscores the wonder of incarnation—God wrapping eternal purposes in a child they cradle. It reminds us that every word spoken about Jesus is trustworthy, astonishing, and life-altering.
(33)
And Joseph and his mother.--The better MSS. give,
His father and his mother. The present reading has apparently been substituted for this through feelings of reverence, but it has quite sufficient authority in
Luke 2:27;
Luke 2:48.
Verse 33. -
And Joseph and his mother marvelled. It was not so much that Simeon foretold new things respecting the Child Jesus that they marvelled; their surprise was rather that a stranger, evidently of position and learning, should possess so deep an insight into the lofty destinies of an unknown Infant, brought by evidently poor parents into the temple court. Was their secret then known to others whom they suspected not?
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[The Child’s]αὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 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.fatherπατὴρ(patēr)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.motherμήτηρ(mētēr)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3384:A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'.wereἦν(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.amazedθαυμάζοντες(thaumazontes)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2296:(a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire.atἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.whatτοῖς(tois)Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.was spokenλαλουμένοις(laloumenois)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2980:A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.aboutπερὶ(peri)Preposition
Strong's 4012:From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.Him.αὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 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.
Links
Luke 2:33 NIVLuke 2:33 NLTLuke 2:33 ESVLuke 2:33 NASBLuke 2:33 KJV
Luke 2:33 BibleApps.comLuke 2:33 Biblia ParalelaLuke 2:33 Chinese BibleLuke 2:33 French BibleLuke 2:33 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Luke 2:33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at (Luke Lu Lk)