Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Then {G2532} took {G1209} he {G846} him {G846} up {G1209} in {G1519} his {G846} arms {G43}, and {G2532} blessed {G2127} God {G2316}, and {G2532} said {G2036},
Shim`on took him in his arms, made a b'rakhah to God, and said,
Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:
then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
-
Luke 1:64
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue [loosed], and he spake, and praised God. -
Luke 2:20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. -
Luke 2:13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, -
Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. -
Psalms 135:19
Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron: -
Psalms 135:20
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD. -
Luke 1:68
Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luke 2:28 describes a pivotal and deeply moving moment in the early life of Jesus, as the devout Simeon encounters the infant Messiah in the Temple. This verse sets the stage for Simeon's prophetic blessing and song of praise.
Context
This scene takes place during the presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem. According to the Mosaic Law, firstborn sons were to be consecrated to the Lord (Exodus 13:2; Numbers 3:13), and a sacrifice offered for the purification of the mother (Leviticus 12:6-8). Mary and Joseph, observant of the Law, brought Jesus for this ritual. Here, they encountered Simeon, a righteous and devout man who had been waiting for the "consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:25). The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ (Luke 2:26). Luke 2:28 captures Simeon's immediate, Spirit-prompted response upon seeing the child Jesus.
Key Themes
Fulfillment of Prophecy and Expectation
This moment is a direct fulfillment of the Holy Spirit's promise to Simeon. For centuries, righteous individuals within Israel had longed for the arrival of the Messiah, the promised deliverer. In this scene, that longing culminates in tangible reality. Simeon's embrace of the infant Jesus signifies the dawning of God's redemptive plan and the end of a long period of waiting.
Divine Recognition
Simeon's act of taking Jesus into his arms is not merely a tender gesture; it is a profound divine recognition. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Simeon immediately identifies this humble infant as the Lord's Christ, even before Jesus performs any miracles or teaches. This highlights that Jesus' true identity as the Son of God was discernible even in His infancy to those with spiritual discernment.
Worship and Thanksgiving
Simeon's first response upon holding Jesus is to "bless God." This spontaneous act of praise and adoration, deeply rooted in gratitude, sets the stage for the beautiful prophetic song, often called the Nunc Dimittis, that follows in Luke 2:29-32. It exemplifies a heart overflowing with joy at God's faithfulness.
Linguistic Insight
The phrase "blessed God" in Greek is eulogeō (εὐλογέω), which means "to speak well of," "to praise," or "to invoke blessings upon." In this context, it signifies Simeon's heartfelt praise and adoration directed towards God for fulfilling His promise and allowing him to see the long-awaited Messiah, the "consolation of Israel."
Practical Application
Simeon's story encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of patient waiting, spiritual discernment, and immediate worship. His readiness to embrace God's plan, even in an unexpected form (a humble infant), teaches us to recognize God's work in our lives and in the world, even when it doesn't align with our preconceived notions. We are called to be attentive to the Holy Spirit's leading, just as Simeon was, and to respond with immediate praise and thanksgiving when God reveals Himself or His purposes. This verse reminds us that true worship flows from a heart that recognizes and rejoices in God's faithfulness.