Luke 2 · Verse 25

Luke 2:25

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luke 2:25, King James Version

Luke 2:25 in other translations

BSBNow there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
WEBBehold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
ASVAnd behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
YLTAnd lo, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name is Simeon, and this man is righteous and devout, looking for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him,
DARBYAnd behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was just and pious, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
BBEAnd there was then in Jerusalem a man whose name was Simeon; and he was an upright man, fearing God and waiting for the comfort of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was on him.
WebsterAnd behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

What does Luke 2:25 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
25. just--upright in his moral character. devout--of a religious frame of spirit. waiting for the consolation of Israel--a beautiful title of the coming Messiah, here intended. the Holy Ghost was--supernaturally. upon him--Thus was the Spirit, after a dreary absence of nearly four hundred years, returning to the Church, to quicken expectation, and prepare for coming events.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 25. Whose name was Simeon. Some have supposed that this Simeon was a son of the famous Hillel, a distinguished teacher in Jerusalem, and president of the Sanhedrim; but nothing is certainly known of him but what is here related. He was an aged man, of distinguished piety and reputation, and was anxiously expecting the coming of the Messiah. Such an old age is peculiarly honourable. No spectacle is more sublime than an old man of piety and high character looking for the appearing of the Lord, and patiently waiting for the time to come when he may be blessed with the sight of his Redeemer.

Just. Righteous before God and man; approved by God as a righteous man, and discharging faithfully his duty to man.

Devout (i) . This word means a religious man, or a pious man. The original expresses the idea of good reputation, well received, or of high standing among the people.

Waiting for the consolation (k) of Israel. That is, waiting for the Messiah, who is called the consolation of Israel because he would give comfort to them by his appearing. This term was often applied to the Messiah before he actually appeared. It was common to swear, also, by "the consolation of Israel "--that is, by the Messiah about to come. See Lightfoot on this place.

The Holy Ghost, &c. He was a holy man, and was divinely inspired respecting the Messiah about to appear.

(i) Mk 15:43, Lk 2:38 (k) Isa 40:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem - This man is distinguished because of his singular piety. There can be no doubt that there were many persons in Jerusalem named Simeon, besides this man; but there was none of the name who merited the attention of God so much as he in the text. Such persevering exemplary piety was very rare, and therefore the inspired penman ushers in the account with behold! Several learned men are of the opinion that he was son to the famous Hillel, one of the most celebrated doctors and philosophers which had ever appeared in the Jewish nation since the time of Moses. Simeon is supposed also to have been the Ab or president of the grand Sanhedrin. The same man was just - He steadily regulated all his conduct by the law of his God: and devout - he had fully consecrated himself to God, so that he added a pious heart to a righteous conduct. The original word ευλαβης, signifies also a person of good report - one well received among the people, or one cautious and circumspect in matters of religion; from ευ, well, and λαμβανω, I take: it properly denotes, one who takes any thing that is held out to him, well and carefully. He so professed and practised the religion of his fathers that he gave no cause for a friend to mourn on his account, or an enemy to triumph. Several excellent MSS. read ευσεβης, pious or godly, from ευ, well, and σεβομαι, I worship; one who worships God well, i.e. in spirit and in truth. Waiting for the consolation of Israel - That is, the Messiah, who was known among the pious Jews by this character: he was to be the consolation of Israel, because he was to be its redemption. This consolation of Israel was so universally expected that the Jews swore by it: So let me see the Consolation, if such a thing be not so, or so. See the forms in Lightfoot. The Holy Ghost was upon him - He was a man divinely inspired, overshadowed, and protected by the power and influence of the Most High.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 2:25-35
The same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon's hope, provided for his joy. Those who would see Christ must go to his temple. Here is a confession of his faith, that this Child in his arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself, the salvation of God's appointing. He bids farewell to this world. How poor does this world look to one that has Christ in his arms, and salvation in his view! See here, how comfortable is the death of a good man; he departs in peace with God, peace with his own conscience, in peace with death. Those that have welcomed Christ, may welcome death. Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things which were spoken of this Child. Simeon shows them likewise, what reason they had to rejoice with trembling. And Jesus, his doctrine, and people, are still spoken against; his truth and holiness are still denied and blasphemed; his preached word is still the touchstone of men's characters. The secret good affections in the minds of some, will be revealed by their embracing Christ; the secret corruptions of others will be revealed by their enmity to Christ. Men will be judged by the thoughts of their hearts concerning Christ. He shall be a suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with him, because of the nearness of her relation and affection.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Luke 2:25 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚαὶKaiAndG2532
ἰδοὺidoubeholdG2400
ἄνθρωποςanthrōposa manG444
ἦνēnthere wasG1510
ἐνeninG1722
ἸερουσαλὴμIerousalēmJerusalemG2419
ᾧhōwhoseG3739
ὄνομαonomaname [was]G3686
ΣυμεὼνSumeōnSimeonG4826
καὶkaiandG2532
ὁho<the>G3588
ἄνθρωποςanthrōposmanG444
οὗτοςhoutosthisG3778
δίκαιοςdikaios[was] righteousG1342
καὶkaiandG2532
εὐλαβὴςeulabēsdevoutG2126
προσδεχόμενοςprosdechomenoswaiting forG4327
παράκλησινparaklēsin[the] consolationG3874
τοῦtou<the>G3588
Ἰσραήλ·Israēlof Israel;G2474
καὶkaiandG2532
πνεῦμαpneuma[the] SpiritG4151
ἦνēnwasG1510
ἅγιονhagionHolyG40
ἐπ᾽ep᾽uponG1909
αὐτόν.autonhim.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 2:25

  • Isaiah 25:9

    And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

  • Luke 2:38

    And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

  • Luke 1:6

    And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

  • Titus 2:11-14

    For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  • Mark 15:43

    Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

  • Luke 1:41

    And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

  • Genesis 6:9

    These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

  • Luke 1:67

    And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

  • Luke 23:51

    (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

  • 2 Peter 1:21

    For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

  • Isaiah 40:1

    Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

  • Daniel 6:22-23

    My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
just.
1:6; Ge 6:9; Job 1:1,8; Da 6:22,23; Mic 6:8; Ac 10:2,22; 24:16
Tit 2:11-14
waiting.
38; Isa 25:9; 40:1; Mr 15:43
Holy Ghost.
1:41,67; Nu 11:25,29; 2Pe 1:21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 2:24

    And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

  • Luke 2:25

    And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

  • Luke 2:26

    And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Read all of Luke 2

Luke 2:25 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y he aquí, había un hombre en Jerusalem, llamado Simeón, y este hombre, justo y pío, esperaba la consolación de Israel: y el Espíritu Santo era sobre él.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et voici, il y avait à Jérusalem un homme dont le nom était Siméon; et cet homme était juste et pieux, et il attendait la consolation d’Israël; et l’Esprit Saint était sur lui.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und siehe, es war in Jerusalem ein Mensch, mit Namen Simeon; und dieser Mensch war gerecht und gottesfürchtig und wartete auf den Trost Israels; und der Heilige Geist war auf ihm.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et ecce homo erat in Jerusalem, cui nomen Simeon, et homo iste justus, et timoratus, exspectans consolationem Israël: et Spiritus Sanctus erat in eo.