Luke 2:25-32 – See the note below.
25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon [8095- “hearing, heard”]; and this man was righteous [1342- “upright, righteous, keeping the commands of God, innocent, faultless”] and devout [2126- “reverencing God, taking hold well, cautious”], looking for [4327- “to expect, to look or wait for, to await (with confidence or patience), to receive to oneself”] the consolation [3874- “a calling near, summons, exhortation, comfort, a calling to one’s side (see the Bible study Eve; The Life Giving Bride), exhortation, admonition, encouragement”] of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,
28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 "Now Lord, You are releasing [630] Your bond-servant to depart [630] in peace, according to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, [see Job 42:5]
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."
NASU
NT:630 apoluo (ap-ol-oo'-o)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:575 and NT:3089; to free fully, i.e. (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce:
KJV - (let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
to loose from, sever by loosening, undo
1. to set free (Luke 13:12)
2. to let go, dismiss
a. a suppliant to whom liberty to depart is given by a decisive answer (Matthew 15:23)
b. to bid depart, send away (Matthew 14:15, 22)
3. to let go free, to release
a. a captive, i. e. to loose his bonds and bid him depart, to give him liberty to depart (Luke 22:68)
b. to acquit one accused of a crime and set him at liberty (John 19:12)
c. indulgently to grant a prisoner leave to depart (Acts 4:21, 23)
d. to release a debtor, i. e. not to press one's claim against him, to remit his debt (Matthew 18:27)
4. used of divorce (Matthew 1:19)
5. Middle voice apoluomai, properly, to send oneself away; to depart
In this passage, Simeon, who was “looking for the consolation of Israel,” is led by the Holy Spirit, our Guide (John 16:13), into the temple where he would experience the fulfillment of a divine promise. It is crucial to see that he could not behold with his eyes that which he had heard with his ears unless he submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As the children of Israel discovered in their wilderness journey, the promise alone would not be enough. In order to enter into the Promised Land of their inheritance they would have to submit to the Lord’s leading. Unfortunately, the majority would not enter in. Those who first came out of Egypt, except for Joshua and Caleb, would die along the way because of unfaithfulness.
As some would proclaim, there are not many ways to eternal life. Jesus Christ is the only Way (John 14:6). Without the Guide (i.e. the Holy Spirit; see The Consoler below), we are eternally lost (Isaiah 42:16, 49:8-10, 58:6-11; Luke 1:76-79; John 16:13).
Zacharias, John the Baptist’ father prophesied over his son, saying;
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
(Luke 1:76-79/NASB)
It is the gospel of peace which the world is in desperate need of hearing at this time (Ephesians 2:13-18, 6:15).
Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen “the Lord’s Christ,” the Messiah. I believe there are Simeons in our day who have also heard from the Holy Spirit, before the second coming of the Messiah, that they too will not physically die, but will be “alive and remain” when He comes (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Again, like Simeon, they have been looking and listening for the summoning of the Lord for His people, the Israel of God made up of both Jews and Gentiles in Him (Galatians 6:16), to draw near to Him. With their hope fixed on Christ and His appearing, they are now purifying themselves by faith through a righteous and devout life of obedience (1 John 3:2-3). (For more insights on those who will not die before seeing the return of the Messiah, see the section Enoch; The Pleasing One Of The Lord That Will Not Die in the Bible study Good Report Bad Report.)
Because the appointed time of the Lord’s return is drawing near, He is now calling His people who are able to draw near to Him. The first time He came to provide a way through His death for us to draw near through the forgiveness of sin. The next time it will be to judge all who rejected His way of escape.
Hearers And Doers Of The Lord’s Word
The Greek for “consolation” is defined as “a calling near, summons, exhortation, comfort, a calling to one’s side (for much more on this see the section below titled The Consoler), exhortation, admonition, encouragement.” The first time Christ came, there were those in Israel who were told by the Holy Spirit that He would be appearing, that it was time for mankind to draw near with clean hands and a pure heart to the One who was going to soon draw near to them. As written, Simeon was one who believed what he heard and was, by faith, looking expectantly for the Messiah.
Simeon’s name means “He who listens, hears; He (God) has heard; hearing, listening.” Originally, he was the second son of Jacob and Leah (Genesis 29:33) who would become one of the twelve tribes of Israel;
“When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, ‘It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.’ She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, ‘Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.’ So she named him Simeon.”
(Genesis 29:31-33/NIV)
Like Simeon, God hears the heart cries of those who have humbled themselves and are listening to Him.
In Isaiah 46:10 the Lord declares that He makes known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is yet to come. This principle of knowing the end from what happened at the beginning is found throughout the Scriptures. For example, when Christ ascended into heaven as His disciples watched and a cloud received Him out of their sight, the angels said to them;
“‘Men of Galilee’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’”
(Acts 1:11/NIV)
In other words, you’ll know the end from the beginning. The way you saw Him leave is the way He will return. Today, the Lord’s disciples are once again being prompted to look up, sensing that their redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).
At the end of this age when Christ comes to receive His bride out of the church, it will be per the pattern of His first coming. There are those in the church who still have ears to hear among God’s people and are looking for our being gathered together to Him (i.e. the wise virgins in Matthew 25). They hear what the Spirit is saying to the church and are responding in obedience with an eager expectation to be led, alive, without seeing death, at the second coming of their Lord. These faithful servants joining together with their Lord will not be on earth, but in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17), for the joyous wedding supper of the Lamb, in His heavenly temple.
The Temple Of His Body
In the final portion of Luke, chapter two, we read of the time when Jesus’ family went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Passover. During their return home with their caravan of relatives and friends, His parents noticed that He wasn’t with them. Many congregations act in the same manner. They go on with business as usual, assuming the Lord is with them, only to soon discover that He’s nowhere in sight.
Upon their return to Jerusalem, they found Him, after three days, in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.” All those who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and answers. Luke describes for us what occurred next;
“When his parents saw Him, they were astonished. His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.’ ‘Why were you searching for me?’ He asked. ‘Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?’ But they did not understand what He was saying to them.”
(Luke 2:48-50/NIV)
The Holy Spirit is leading His Simeons, those who are searching for Him, into the temple of His body, in the holy city, His Father’s “house,” the new Jerusalem. This is the place where He reigns from, where His throne has been established in the hearts of His people (Revelation 21:2; see the Bible study Jerusalem; The Throne Of The Lord).
After receiving, with open arms, the Lord’s Messiah, Simeon was then released to “depart in peace” and inhabit the city of peace, the new Jerusalem. Per the Collins Dictionary; “If you welcome some action or change with open arms, you are very pleased about it. If you welcome a person with open arms, you are very pleased about their arrival.” It’s to show someone that you are very pleased to see them (see the Bible study Well Pleased.)
John 18:39-40 – Interesting passage of the decision to release Christ or a criminal by Jewish people who rejected Him as the Messiah. Their choice would affect the Jewish lineage to this very day. When Pilate tried to release Jesus, the crowd shouted loudly to crucify Him, and to release Barabbas; “When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves.’ And all the people said, ‘His blood shall be on us and on our children!’” (Matthew 27:24-25/NASU) Only Jesus has the power to release people from the innocent blood on their hands.
39 "But you have a custom that I release [630- see def. in Luke 2:25-32 above] someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?"
40 So they cried out again, saying, "Not this Man, but Barabbas [912- “son of a father, i.e. of a master”]." Now Barabbas was a robber.
NASU
Revelation 1:4-6 – Jesus Christ has “released [see def. below] us from our sins by His blood.” Without the shedding of His blood, we would have no forgiveness for our sin (Hebrews 9:22, Leviticus 17:11). This is why the writer of Hebrews declares;
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” [See the Bible study Cain And Abel.]
(Hebrews 12:22-24/NASU)
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released [3089] us from our sins by His blood —
6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father — to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
NASU
NT:3089 luo (loo'-o)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
a primary verb; to “loosen” (literally or figuratively) [see the Bible study Binding And Loosing]
KJV - break (up), destroy, dissolve, (un-) loose, melt, put off
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. to loose any person (or thing) tied or fastened (Mark 1:7, John 11:44 [Lazarus])
2. to loose one bound, i. e., to unbind, release from bonds, set free (Acts 22:30)
3. to loosen, undo, dissolve, anything bound, tied, or compacted together: the seal of a book (Rev. 5:2)
The Anna Company
When Jesus was brought into the temple in Jerusalem, there was someone else mentioned besides Simeon who was also there, looking for the Messiah;
“And there was a prophetess, Anna [of Hebrew origin (Hannah); OT2584- “favored, grace”] the daughter of Phanuel [of Hebrew origin (Penuel or Peniel); OT6439- “facing God”], of the tribe of Asher [of Hebrew origin (Asher); OT836- “happy”]. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
(Luke 2:36-38/NASU)
Anna represents the “favored” ones of the Lord’s children who have not received His grace in vain, and whose lineage is from those who are “facing God” (see the Bible study The Sons Of Jephunneh). At the Lord’s return, they will not only be among the “happy” tribe to see Him, but will be filled with an inexpressible joy.
In both Anna’s and Simeon’s case one thing is consistent, they were both “looking for” the Messiah. Only those who have heard of Christ’s coming arrival by the Spirit, at His “appointed time,” and then with eager expectation obey His instructions for the necessary preparations, will be among those who “see” the Lord’s salvation. They will be enabled by the Holy Spirit to depart in peace, alive, from a world that will plunge headlong into chaos and utter destruction. Through their faithful devotion to Christ, the heavenly “lookers” have become exempt from the rage and havoc of war on earth, both physical and spiritual, and will be led out of the place of His wrath, into His presence of eternal peace and security (see the article Iwo Jima and the Flag Raising on Mount Suribachi).
It was at the end of Job’s time of great trial and physical testing that he declared;
“‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures [5956- “to veil from sight, to conceal, to hide”] My counsel [6098- “counsel, advice, purpose”] without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise [3988- “to reject, refuse, despise (to have the lowest opinion of”)”] myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
(Job 42:2-6/NIV)
It was after his time of extreme scourging by the Lord that the eyes of Job’s understanding were opened and he saw the Lord, in truth (John 1:9, Ephesians 1:18, Ezra 9:8).
Many claim to know the Lord’s will, but in reality, they too “obscure My counsel without knowledge.” The ERV of the Bible says, “Who is this ignorant person saying these foolish things,” or “Who is this person darkening advice with ignorant words. I talked about things I did not understand.” I believe much of the so-called “Christian counseling” being offered today is of the same nature (see the Bible study Wounded And Broken; Revealing The Way Of Escape).
Because of my current physical condition, I understand this. This would appear to most of us as a cruel way to reveal yourself to your own children, but it was necessary. The truth concerning the necessity of suffering for understanding and cleansing is no longer a part of the gospel being preached today. Apart from the Holy Spirit’s scourging process (Hebrews 12:6), we would never be conformed to the image of Christ. I don’t believe any of us would look to the Lord for His deliverance from our sinful nature unless we are put in a situation where we see our need to be delivered.
Looking For The Return Of Jesus Christ
May we be numbered among those Titus refers to who are looking for the return of Jesus Christ;
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age [like Simeon and Anna], looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…”
(Titus 2:11-13/NASU)
(Other “looking for” verses: Matthew 13:45, 28:5; Luke 2:44, 4:42; John 6:26, 11:56, 18:8, 20:15; Hebrews 11:10, 13:14; 2 Peter 3:10-15)
In Peter’s second letter to all who have received Christ, he spoke of the need for holy living as while are “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God”;
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness [like Simeon and Anna], looking for and hastening [4692- “to speed, i.e. urge on (diligently or earnestly); by implication, to await eagerly”] the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation…”
(2 Peter 3:9-15/NASU)
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter is exhorting us in regards to how we should be living as Christ followers. Understanding that the Lord’s “slowness” in fulfilling His promises in regards to the destruction of the heavens and the earth and its works, being patient with us, is that we might repent and not be destroyed with them. He exhorts us to live “in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,” which is the day of His wrath. His justice demands all wickedness be dealt with, but, thankfully, His mercy is to give us time to surrender ourselves to His lordship over us. (See the Bible study Looking For.)
It remains, therefore, for some (certain ones/some in Hebrews 4:6) to enter by faith into the inner court of the Lord’s temple, His place of “rest,” by the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:27, 46; Rev. 21:10). The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, are the temple (Rev. 21:22). Those who will be allowed to enter in are the “blameless” ones who, like Noah (Genesis 6:9), have accepted His sacrifice on their behalf, making Him their Lord and Savior, and are therefore without spot or blemish before Him. They will enter into the perfection of Christ because they are numbered among His pure and undefiled followers who have not “soiled their garments” by participating in the world and its rebellion against Him (Rev. 3:2-6). Like Simeon, they heard what the Spirit was saying to the church an prepared themselves accordingly. (See the Bible studies Noah; A Sign Of The End, Eve; The Life Giving Bride, and The Church Without Stain.)
The Consoler
As we’ve seen the Greek for “consolation” in Luke 2:25 is paraklesis (par-ak'-lay-sis; [3874]) which is defined as “a calling near, summons, exhortation, comfort, a calling to one’s side, exhortation, admonition, encouragement.” It is found in 29 verses in the New Testament.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines “console” as;
To comfort; to cheer the mind in distress or depression; to alleviate grief, and give refreshment to the mind or spirits; to give contentment or moderate happiness by relieving from distress.
The promises of the gospel may well console the Christian in all the afflictions of life.
It is a consoling reflection that the evils of life are temporary.
(Latin) The primary sense is either to set or allay, to give rest or quiet, or the sense is to strengthen, in which case it coincides with the root of solid. The latter is most probable.
From this, we can further understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of every follower of Christ. He is the “One who gives comfort” (i.e. Consoler), the Guide, the Helper, the Convicter of sin, the Sanctifier, the gift Giver, the power of God, the Renewer of our mind, the Revealer of all truth, the Teacher, the Uniter, the Transformer, the Advocate (i.e. legal assistant, counsel for the defense), the Intercessor, etc.
John 14:16-17, 26 – In this passage, Jesus tells His disciples the role of the Holy Spirit, so as to comfort them regarding His departure, back to the Father.
16 "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper [3875], that He may be with you forever;
17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
26 "But the Helper [3875], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
NASU
NT:3875 parakletos (par-ak'-lay-tos)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
an intercessor, consoler:
KJV - advocate, comforter.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
summoned, called to one's side, especially called to one's aid;
1. one who pleads another's case before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant; an advocate:
2. universally, one who pleads another's case with one, an intercessor (1 John 2:1)
3. in the widest sense, a helper, succorer, aider, assistant; so of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26)
(Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)
parakletos [NT:3875] – literally, “called to one's side,” i. e., to one's aid, is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another's cause, an intercessor, advocate, as in 1 John 2:1, of the Lord Jesus. In the widest sense, it signifies a “succorer, comforter.” Christ was this to His disciples, by the implication of His word “another (allos, “another of the same sort,” not heteros, “different”) Comforter,” when speaking of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). In John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7 He calls Him “the Comforter.” “Comforter” or “Consoler” corresponds to the name “Menahem,” given by the Hebrews to the Messiah.
John 15:26-27 – Jesus again comforts His disciples concerning the nature of the Holy Spirit. The intent is that through His witness to them of Christ, of revealing Him to them, they would in turn be His witness to others.
26 "When the Helper [3875] comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify [3140- “to be a witness, to bear witness, testify, give a good report”] about Me, [See the Bible study Good Report Bad Report regarding the character of our witness, whether it be one of a good or bad nature.]
27 and you will testify [3140] also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
NASU
John 16:5-15 – Once again, Jesus explains, even further, the ministry of the Holy Spirit to His followers. He convicts the world, He guides into all the truth, He reveals to us what is to come (in detail!), and He will glorify Jesus.
5 "But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?'
6 "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper [3875; NIV: “the Counselor”; KJV: “the Comforter”] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;
11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide [3594- “to show the way, to be a guide or teacher”] you into all [3956- “all, any, every, the whole”] the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose [312- “to announce (in detail), make known”] to you what is to come.
14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose [312] it to you.
15 "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose [312] it to you.
NASU
1 John 2:1
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate [3875] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
NASU
The Consoler is now revealing to us, in detail, that it is the “appointed time” for the consolation of the Israel of God which consists of both Jews and Gentiles in Christ (Galatians 6:16).
Some Old Testament Examples
Isaiah 58:11 – The promises in this verse are conditional. The terms are revealed in verses 6-10.
11 "And the Lord will continually guide [5148- “to lead, to guide, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)”] you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
NASU
Psalm 73:24
24 With Your counsel [6098- “counsel, advice, purpose”] You will guide [5148] me, and afterward receive me to glory.
NASU
Exodus 13:21-22
21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide [5148] them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. [See Psalm 78:14, 139:24.]
22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
NIV
Psalm 78:70-72
70 He also chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 From the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance.
72 So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided [5148] them with his skillful hands.
NASU
Proverbs 11:2-3
2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide [5148] them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
NASU
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