Luke 2:33

KJV

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Joseph {G2501} and {G2532} his {G846} mother {G3384} marvelled {G2258}{G2296} at {G1909} those things which were spoken {G2980} of {G4012} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua's father and mother were marvelling at the things Shim`on was saying about him.

Berean Standard Bible

The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him.

American Standard Version

And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:33 records the profound astonishment of Joseph and Mary at the prophetic declarations made by Simeon concerning the infant Jesus during His presentation at the Temple. Despite their prior divine encounters and understanding of Jesus's unique birth, Simeon's Spirit-inspired words provided a powerful, public confirmation of their son's divine identity and future salvific mission, evoking a deep sense of wonder and awe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Jesus's infancy, specifically following the purification rites of Mary and the dedication of Jesus as the firstborn male at the Temple in Jerusalem, as described in [Luke 2:22-24](/luke/2-22-24 "Luke 2:22-24 - Purification and Presentation"). Immediately preceding this verse are Simeon's Spirit-filled prayer of praise and his profound prophecies concerning Jesus's role as both the glory of Israel and a light to the Gentiles, along with a poignant word about Mary's future sorrow ([Luke 2:29-32](/luke/2-29-32 "Luke 2:29-32 - Simeon's Prophecy")). Luke 2:33 serves as the immediate reaction of Joseph and Mary to these specific pronouncements, highlighting the weight and significance of Simeon's words. The narrative then progresses to the testimony of Anna, another prophetess, further confirming Jesus's identity ([Luke 2:36-38](/luke/2-36-38 "Luke 2:36-38 - Anna's Testimony")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold in the Jerusalem Temple, a central place of Jewish worship and religious life. The presentation of Jesus adhered to Mosaic Law, which mandated the purification of a mother forty days after childbirth and the dedication of the firstborn son to the Lord, often involving a redemption payment ([Leviticus 12](/leviticus/12 "Leviticus 12 - Laws of Purification") and [Exodus 13:2, 13:12-15](/exodus/13-2-15 "Exodus 13:2, 13:12-15 - Consecration of the Firstborn")). The presence of Simeon and Anna, both devout and Spirit-led individuals, reflects the expectation of the Messiah within faithful Jewish circles of the time. Their prophetic recognition of Jesus underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan, linking the Old Testament prophecies to their New Testament fulfillment in Christ.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 2:33 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. One prominent theme is **Divine Confirmation**, where God repeatedly affirms Jesus's identity through various means—angelic announcements to Mary ([Luke 1:26-38](/luke/1-26-38 "Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation")) and Joseph ([Matthew 1:18-25](/matthew/1-18-25 "Matthew 1:18-25 - Joseph's Dream")), the shepherds' testimony ([Luke 2:15-20](/luke/2-15-20 "Luke 2:15-20 - The Shepherds' Visit")), and now, the prophetic witness of Simeon and Anna. Another crucial theme is **Progressive Revelation**, illustrating that God's plan unfolds gradually. Even Joseph and Mary, who had direct angelic encounters, continued to gain deeper insights into Jesus's mission as new details were revealed. Their "marvelling" highlights the theme of **Human Response to Divine Truth**, demonstrating that even those closest to God's work can be filled with awe and wonder at the magnitude of His purposes and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **marvelled (Greek, _thaumázō_):** This verb (G2296) signifies a profound sense of wonder, astonishment, or admiration. It conveys an emotional response that goes beyond mere surprise, indicating a deep impression made by something extraordinary or awe-inspiring. In this context, it suggests that Joseph and Mary were not confused or disbelieving, but rather deeply impacted and filled with reverence by the divine nature of Simeon's prophecy.
* **at (Greek, _epí_):** This preposition (G1909) indicates the object or occasion of their marvelling. It signifies "upon" or "concerning," directing their wonder specifically towards the content of Simeon's words. It emphasizes that their astonishment was directly caused by "those things which were spoken of him."
* **spoken (Greek, _laléō_):** This verb (G2980) means "to talk" or "to utter words." It refers to the specific verbal pronouncements made by Simeon, highlighting that it was the content and divine authority of his prophecy that elicited Joseph and Mary's reaction. It underscores the power of spoken divine revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph and his mother":** This phrase identifies the two primary human figures in Jesus's immediate family, emphasizing their joint presence and shared experience of this significant moment. It highlights that both parents, despite their unique roles in Jesus's birth, were equally affected by Simeon's prophecy.
* **"marvelled":** This single word captures the profound emotional response of Joseph and Mary. As discussed in the key word analysis, it denotes a deep sense of astonishment, awe, and wonder, indicating that Simeon's words resonated with divine authority and revealed new dimensions of Jesus's identity and future.
* **"at those things which were spoken of him":** This clause clarifies the specific cause of their astonishment. It refers directly to Simeon's prophetic utterances in the preceding verses ([Luke 2:29-32](/luke/2-29-32 "Luke 2:29-32 - Simeon's Prophecy")), which included declarations of Jesus being a "light to lighten the Gentiles," "the glory of thy people Israel," and a sign that would be opposed, leading to Mary's own sorrow. It was the divine insight and the weighty implications of these words that caused them to marvel.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 2:33 employs several literary devices to enhance its meaning and impact. **Emphasis** is achieved through the explicit mention of "marvelled," drawing the reader's attention to the profound emotional reaction of Joseph and Mary. This highlights the extraordinary nature of Simeon's prophecy and the divine significance of the child. There is also a subtle **Irony** present; despite having received angelic visitations and direct divine revelation about Jesus's identity, Joseph and Mary are still capable of being astonished by further divine confirmation. This underscores the inexhaustible depth of God's plan and the progressive nature of revelation. Furthermore, the verse serves as a moment of **Foreshadowing**, as Simeon's words, which caused the marvelling, hint at Jesus's future universal mission and the suffering that would accompany it, particularly for Mary.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 2:33 profoundly illustrates God's method of progressive revelation and the human capacity for awe in response to divine truth. Even those intimately involved in God's redemptive plan, like Joseph and Mary, are continually met with deeper insights that evoke wonder. Their marvelling is not born of ignorance, but of a growing comprehension of the magnificent scope of God's purposes for His Son. It underscores that God often confirms His word through multiple witnesses and unexpected channels, building faith and deepening understanding. This moment in the Temple serves as another layer of divine authentication for Jesus's identity and mission, solidifying the truth of the angelic announcements and preparing Joseph and Mary for the unfolding journey.

* [Luke 1:26-38](/luke/1-26-38 "Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation to Mary")
* [Matthew 1:18-25](/matthew/1-18-25 "Matthew 1:18-25 - The Angel's Message to Joseph")
* [Luke 2:29-32](/luke/2-29-32 "Luke 2:29-32 - Simeon's Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The marvelling of Joseph and Mary in Luke 2:33 offers a powerful model for believers today. It reminds us that our walk with God is a journey of continuous discovery, where even familiar truths can be illuminated with fresh, awe-inspiring light. Despite their intimate knowledge of Jesus's divine origin, they were still deeply impacted by Simeon's Spirit-inspired words, demonstrating that faith is not static but grows through new encounters with God's revelation. We are called to cultivate a similar posture of openness and wonder, allowing the Holy Spirit to deepen our understanding of Christ and His purposes. This verse encourages us to ponder and reflect on the divine confirmations we receive, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the witness of others, letting them strengthen our conviction and deepen our appreciation for God's wisdom and His active presence in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when God reveals new truths to you, even about things you thought you already knew well?**
* **In what ways has God confirmed His word or purpose in your life through unexpected voices or circumstances, similar to Simeon's role?**
* **How can cultivating a sense of wonder and awe, like Joseph and Mary, deepen your personal faith journey and appreciation for God's ongoing work?**

### FAQ
**Why did Joseph and Mary marvel, given what they already knew about Jesus's divine birth?**

Answer: Joseph and Mary's marvelling was not due to a lack of understanding or disbelief, but rather a profound astonishment at the **progressive revelation** of God's plan and the **divine confirmation** of Jesus's identity through an external, Spirit-filled prophet. While they knew Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit ([Luke 1:35](/luke/1-35 "Luke 1:35 - The Holy Spirit's Power")) and destined to be the Son of God, Simeon's prophecy added new, specific, and weighty details. Simeon spoke of Jesus as "a light to lighten the Gentiles" and "the glory of thy people Israel" ([Luke 2:32](/luke/2-32 "Luke 2:32 - Jesus, Light to Gentiles")), and also foretold a "sword" piercing Mary's soul ([Luke 2:35](/luke/2-35 "Luke 2:35 - Simeon's Prophecy to Mary")). These were new, powerful insights into Jesus's universal mission and the suffering that would accompany it, deepening their awe and understanding of the magnitude of God's unfolding plan.

**What exactly was "spoken of him" that caused them to marvel?**

Answer: The "things which were spoken of him" refer directly to the prophecy delivered by Simeon immediately before this verse, found in [Luke 2:29-32](/luke/2-29-32 "Luke 2:29-32 - Simeon's Prophecy"). Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, took the infant Jesus into his arms and praised God, declaring that his eyes had seen God's salvation. He prophesied that Jesus would be "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." He also spoke of Jesus being appointed for the "fall and rising again of many in Israel" and for a "sign which shall be spoken against," adding the poignant detail that "a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also" ([Luke 2:34-35](/luke/2-34-35 "Luke 2:34-35 - Simeon's Prophecy to Mary")). These profound, Spirit-inspired declarations, particularly the universal scope of salvation and the hint of future suffering, were the specific words that caused Joseph and Mary to marvel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:33, with Joseph and Mary's marvelling at Simeon's prophecy, powerfully points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Simeon's words, which caused such astonishment, declared Jesus to be both "a light to lighten the Gentiles" and "the glory of thy people Israel" ([Luke 2:32](/luke/2-32 "Luke 2:32 - Jesus, Light to Gentiles")). This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who indeed became the universal light of salvation, breaking down the wall between Jew and Gentile. As Jesus Himself declared, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, Light of the World")). Furthermore, Simeon's foretelling of a "sword" piercing Mary's soul ([Luke 2:35](/luke/2-35 "Luke 2:35 - Simeon's Prophecy to Mary")) foreshadows the profound suffering Jesus would endure on the cross, a suffering intimately shared by His mother, who stood at the foot of the cross ([John 19:25-27](/john/19-25-27 "John 19:25-27 - Jesus on the Cross")). Thus, even in His infancy, Jesus is revealed as the promised Messiah, the suffering servant who brings salvation to all nations, fulfilling the ancient prophecies and becoming the ultimate object of divine wonder and human adoration.

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 1:65

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

Luke 1:66

And all they that heard [them] laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Isaiah 8:18

Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me [are] for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Luke 2:48

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.