Luke Chapter 2

vs 31

How is it that Simeon can say this? I mean, Jesus is just a baby, in the temple in Jerusalem, he's not exactly being announced on every TV or anything. But there is a sense that the incarnation is more of a revelation to the world than any other event.

Not to mention that it has been accurately recorded and kept safe for the rest of history so far.

vs 32

The acceptance of the gentiles by God has never been far away from God's heart. Here it appears early in Luke's gospel, one mark that this is something that interests him, and also proably his readership.

vs 33

Which is odd, considering that Mary had seen a vision (so had Joseph), heard a prophecy from Elizabeth, and both had been visited by the shepherds and wise men. Simple country folk I guess.

vs 34

They thought what Simeon said already was novel... now what he's saying is startling. While it is obviously not clear from the immediate context what he is talking about, this Jesus character is going to be very important. So important that people will rise and fall based on him. He will also be spiritually important - a sign that people will not readily accept. How right he was!

vs 35

The thoughts of hearts. What does that mean? I guess it means the thoughts closest to the heart of someone. Which will no doubt be important thoughts. So that's pretty revealing. And a lot of people argue about this soul-piercing sword. To me, it just seems to be a flowery way of saying that she's going to suffer as a part of all this. And Jesus does treat his family pretty ordinarily, but only when they basically disown him as a crazyperson. Which I imagine wouldn't have been nice for either side. But then of course, she has to watch him get crucified and die. Which is pretty painful for any mother.

vs 36

But wait, another prophet! Prophetess, actually. Anna, the old widow. Verse 37 is put in the oddest of places as far as I'm concerned. I assume that she's a well known prophetess and has been for a while.

vs 37

Well, that's what I call commitment.

vs 38

She is well known enough that her blessing might be thought important to those people who read the book. Although she was probably dead by the time it was written, but people still remembered her I'm sure. I prefer the NASB reading here, which chooses what this next bit means, clarifying that she continued to speak of Jesus to those seeking redemption of Israel. Rather than the NIV, which makes it unclear I think whether she kept doing it after they left, or only at that specific stage.

vs 39

You can see why people didn't often follow the law though - I mean, what a pain having to travel to Jerusalem for your firstborn son! Anyway, Jesus' family seems like the good religious kind, who would do all this stuff properly. Probably a good house for the Messiah to grow up in.

vs 40

There's a good summary of Jesus' childhood. Not often you'd describe a child as full of wisdom, not in my personal experience anyway. I don't think he was preternaturally strong or anything either. I think it's just talking about him being healthy.

I might just mention that the KJV says he "waxed strong in the spirit", which isn't really attested to in the greek.