Simeon Συμεών
Righteous and devout man who blessed Jesus in the temple.
Who is Simeon in the Bible?
Simeon was a righteous and devout man living in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:25-35). Guided by the Holy Spirit, he had been promised that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ, and when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple for the purification rites, Simeon recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah. He took Jesus in his arms, praised God, and declared that he could now depart in peace, having witnessed God's salvation prepared for all people. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and prophesied that the child would be a sign spoken against and would cause the fall and rise of many in Israel. His encounter with Jesus demonstrates the faithful expectation of righteous believers awaiting God's promised redemption and validates Jesus' identity as the Messiah to the Jewish people.
Biography
Simeon, mentioned in Luk.2.25-35, was a righteous and devout man living in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' birth. He was eagerly waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple for the purification rites according to the Law of Moses, Simeon, guided by the Spirit, took Jesus in his arms and praised God. He declared that he could now depart in peace, having seen God's salvation, which was prepared for all people - a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Israel. Simeon then blessed Mary and Joseph and prophesied to Mary that her child would cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and be a sign that would be spoken against, revealing the thoughts of many hearts. He also foretold that a sword would pierce Mary's own soul, foreshadowing the pain she would experience witnessing her son's suffering and death.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentLuke 2 verses
- Luke 2:25
"Now 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."
Study Luke → - Luke 2:34
"Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,"
Study Luke →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Συμεών |