Luke 2:30

KJV

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G3754} mine {G3450} eyes {G3788} have seen {G1492} thy {G4675} salvation {G4992},

Complete Jewish Bible

for I have seen with my own eyes your yeshu`ah,

Berean Standard Bible

For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

American Standard Version

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:30 captures the profound declaration of Simeon, a righteous and devout man, as he holds the infant Jesus in the Temple. This verse, "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation," serves as the climax of his long-awaited hope and a prophetic recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah. It signifies the tangible manifestation of God's redemptive plan, now revealed to humanity through the person of Christ, fulfilling ancient promises and ushering in a new era of divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a central part of Simeon's prayer, often called the Nunc Dimittis, recorded in [Luke 2:29-32](/luke/2-29-32 "Simeon's Nunc Dimittis"). It immediately follows Simeon taking Jesus into his arms, an act prompted by the Holy Spirit. The preceding verses establish Simeon's character as "just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel" ([Luke 2:25](/luke/2-25 "Luke 2:25 - Simeon's Character")), and highlight the divine promise he received that he would not "see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ" ([Luke 2:26](/luke/2-26 "Luke 2:26 - God's Promise to Simeon")). The narrative flow emphasizes the Spirit's guidance in bringing Simeon to the Temple at the precise moment Mary and Joseph presented Jesus, underscoring the divine orchestration of this encounter. Simeon's prayer then expands beyond personal fulfillment to a universal declaration of salvation for all peoples.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Second Temple in Jerusalem, a focal point of Jewish religious life and a place where devout Jews like Simeon would regularly worship and await God's intervention. At this time, Israel was under Roman occupation, and there was widespread messianic expectation among the Jewish people, though often focused on a political deliverer who would restore Israel's sovereignty. Simeon's understanding of "salvation" transcends this political expectation, aligning instead with a spiritual deliverance. The presentation of Jesus in the Temple, including the purification rites for Mary and the sacrifice of two turtledoves or pigeons ([Luke 2:22-24](/luke/2-22-24 "Luke 2:22-24 - Jesus' Presentation in the Temple")), reflects adherence to Mosaic Law, specifically [Leviticus 12](/leviticus/12 "Leviticus 12 - Laws of Purification After Childbirth"), demonstrating Jesus' humble beginnings within the framework of Jewish tradition.

* **Key Themes:** The verse profoundly contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Simeon's personal experience directly fulfills the divine promise made to him, and more broadly, the long-awaited arrival of the Messiah fulfills countless Old Testament prophecies. This ties into the **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty of God**, as God orchestrates the events, from the Holy Spirit's presence on Simeon to guiding him to the Temple. The central theme of **Salvation** is paramount, presented not as an abstract concept but as a tangible reality embodied in the infant Jesus. Furthermore, Simeon's subsequent words in [Luke 2:32](/luke/2-32 "Luke 2:32 - Simeon's Prophecy of Light to the Gentiles") expand this salvation to include the Gentiles, establishing the **Universal Scope of God's Plan**, a theme consistently emphasized throughout Luke-Acts, highlighting Jesus as a "light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **eyes (Greek, _ophthalmós'_):** From G3788, meaning "the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision." In this context, "eyes" refers not only to Simeon's physical sight but also his spiritual perception and understanding. He didn't just physically see a baby; he recognized the divine identity and purpose of the child, seeing beyond the ordinary to grasp the extraordinary reality of God's presence and plan.
* **seen (Greek, _eídō'_):** From G1492, a primary verb meaning "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know." The perfect tense implies a completed action with ongoing results, suggesting that Simeon has not merely observed, but has truly comprehended and now possesses the knowledge of God's salvation. This seeing is an act of profound recognition and spiritual insight, leading to certainty.
* **salvation (Greek, _sōtḗrion'_):** From G4992, neuter of the same as *sōtēria* as (properly, concretely) noun; meaning "defender or (by implication) defence." While the KJV translates it as "salvation," the underlying Greek term here, *sōtḗrion*, emphasizes the concrete reality of the "deliverer" or the "means of defense." Simeon is declaring that he has seen God's very instrument of deliverance, the one who embodies and brings about salvation, rather than merely an abstract concept. This highlights Jesus as the tangible embodiment of God's saving power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,"**: This single, powerful clause serves as Simeon's climactic declaration. The introductory "For" (G3754, *hóti*) functions as a causal conjunction, explaining *why* he is now ready to depart in peace (as stated in the preceding verse, [Luke 2:29](/luke/2-29 "Luke 2:29 - Simeon's Prayer for Departure")). His "eyes," representing his entire being and spiritual discernment, have "seen" (G1492, *eídō*), meaning they have perceived, understood, and recognized with certainty. The object of this seeing is "thy salvation" (G4675, *soû* G4992, *sōtḗrion*). This phrase is crucial: it is *God's* salvation, not a human endeavor, and it is here made manifest in the person of the infant Jesus. Simeon is proclaiming that the long-awaited divine rescue, the ultimate means of deliverance from sin and death, has arrived and is physically present before him. His words are a testament to the direct, personal revelation of God's redemptive plan in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's narrative employs several literary devices in this passage. The most prominent is **Fulfillment**, as Simeon's words directly fulfill the divine promise made to him in [Luke 2:26](/luke/2-26 "Luke 2:26 - God's Promise to Simeon"), and more broadly, the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. The phrase "mine eyes have seen" uses **Metonymy**, where "eyes" represent Simeon's entire person and his profound spiritual experience of recognizing the Messiah. It's not just a physical act of seeing, but an internal, revelatory understanding. The entire prayer, known as the Nunc Dimittis, functions as a **Proclamation** or **Declaration**, a solemn and public announcement of a profound spiritual truth. Simeon's words are also rich in **Symbolism**, with the infant Jesus embodying "salvation" itself, transforming an abstract theological concept into a tangible, living reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Simeon's declaration in Luke 2:30 stands as a powerful theological statement, affirming God's faithfulness to His promises and the tangible arrival of His redemptive plan. It underscores that salvation is not merely a future hope or a concept, but a person—Jesus Christ—who embodies God's saving power and presence. This moment highlights the culmination of centuries of messianic expectation, demonstrating that God's ultimate solution to humanity's sin and brokenness has entered the world in a humble, yet divinely appointed, form. Simeon's peace upon seeing "thy salvation" reflects the profound rest and assurance that comes from recognizing and receiving God's provision for redemption.

* [Luke 2:25-32](/luke/2-25-32 "Luke 2:25-32 - Simeon's Prophecy and Blessing")
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - The Servant as a Light to the Gentiles")
* [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Simeon's profound encounter with the infant Jesus, culminating in his declaration "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation," offers a timeless blueprint for our own spiritual journey. Just as Simeon patiently waited for the "consolation of Israel," we too are called to cultivate a spirit of expectant faith, trusting in God's perfect timing and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. His immediate recognition of Jesus as God's salvation challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a deep, personal acknowledgment of who Jesus is for us. Do our spiritual "eyes" truly see Jesus as the embodiment of God's complete deliverance from sin, death, and despair? This verse invites us to embrace the peace that Simeon experienced, a peace that comes from knowing that God has provided the ultimate solution to our deepest needs. Furthermore, having seen and received this salvation, we are compelled, like Simeon, to share this glorious truth with a world desperately in need of God's light and hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do my "eyes"—my spiritual understanding and faith—truly see Jesus as God's complete salvation for my life?**
* **What promises of God am I currently waiting for, and how can Simeon's patience and faith encourage me in my own season of waiting?**
* **How can I more actively share the "salvation" I have seen and experienced in Christ with those around me?**

### FAQ

**Who was Simeon and why was this moment significant for him?**

Answer: Simeon was a devout and righteous man living in Jerusalem, described in [Luke 2:25](/luke/2-25 "Luke 2:25 - Simeon's Character") as "waiting for the consolation of Israel." The Holy Spirit was upon him, and he had received a divine promise that he would not die before seeing the Messiah, "the Lord's Christ" ([Luke 2:26](/luke/2-26 "Luke 2:26 - God's Promise to Simeon")). This moment was profoundly significant for Simeon because it marked the direct, personal fulfillment of God's promise to him. It was the culmination of his life's hope and expectation, allowing him to finally see and hold the long-awaited Savior of the world. His subsequent prayer, the Nunc Dimittis, expresses his peace and readiness to depart, having witnessed God's ultimate salvation.

**What does "thy salvation" mean in this context?**

Answer: In [Luke 2:30](/luke/2-30 "Luke 2:30 - Simeon's Declaration of Salvation"), "thy salvation" refers to Jesus Christ Himself as the embodiment and agent of God's saving work. The Greek word *sōtḗrion* (G4992), while translated as "salvation," concretely refers to the "defender" or "means of defense." Thus, Simeon is not merely seeing an abstract concept of salvation, but rather he is seeing God's chosen deliverer, the one through whom God's rescue and redemption for humanity will be accomplished. This "salvation" encompasses not just political deliverance for Israel, but a spiritual redemption from sin and death, a light for both Israel and the Gentiles, as Simeon further prophesies in [Luke 2:32](/luke/2-32 "Luke 2:32 - Simeon's Prophecy of Light to the Gentiles").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Simeon's declaration, "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation," is a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, as it directly identifies the infant Jesus as the tangible manifestation of God's ultimate saving work. This moment in the Temple foreshadows the entire redemptive narrative of Christ. The "salvation" Simeon sees is not merely an abstract concept or a future event, but a person—the very Son of God, who would grow to be the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus is the [author of eternal salvation](/hebrews/5-9 "Hebrews 5:9 - Jesus, the Author of Eternal Salvation") through His life, death, and resurrection, providing a complete and final deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. Simeon's peaceful readiness to depart after seeing this salvation points to the ultimate peace and assurance offered to all who, by faith, recognize Jesus as their personal Savior. His words echo the broader New Testament truth that [there is salvation in no other name](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name"), for [God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World"). Thus, Simeon's vision is a prophetic glimpse into the full scope of Christ's redemptive mission, culminating in the [obtaining of salvation for our souls](/1_peter/1-9 "1 Peter 1:9 - Obtaining the Salvation of Your Souls") through faith in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 3:6

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Luke 2:10

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:11

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Isaiah 49:6

And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Isaiah 52:10

The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Acts 4:10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.