Simeon
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Heard”
A devout, aged man of Jerusalem promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah; he took the infant Jesus in his arms and blessed God in the Nunc Dimittis.
Biography
Simeon was a "just and devout" man of Jerusalem who was "waiting for the consolation of Israel" — the coming of the Messiah. The Holy Ghost had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ (Luke 2:25–26).
The Nunc Dimittis
Led by the Spirit into the temple just as Mary and Joseph brought in the infant Jesus, Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God with words the church has sung ever since: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace... For mine eyes have seen thy salvation... A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:29–32).
A word to Mary
Simeon also blessed the parents and spoke a prophetic word to Mary: this child was "set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel," and "a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also" (Luke 2:34–35) — an early foreshadowing of the cross.
Life Timeline
Takes the infant Jesus in his arms and blesses God
Themes & lessons from Simeon
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Simeon appears.
Scripture Appearances
3 verses in 1 bookLuke3 verses
Luke 2:25
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luke 2:34
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Luke 3:30
Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,
Frequently asked about Simeon
Who was Simeon in the Bible?
A devout, aged man of Jerusalem promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah; he took the infant Jesus in his arms and blessed God in the Nunc Dimittis.
What does the name Simeon mean?
The name Simeon means “Heard”.
Where does Simeon appear in the Bible?
Simeon is mentioned 3 times across 1 book: Luke.
What can we learn from Simeon?
The story of Simeon touches on themes of simeon, genealogies, genealogy, holy spirit — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Simeon's life.
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