Study Desk

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,^(u) looking forward to Israel's consolation,^[p](v) and the Holy Spirit was on him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit^(w) that he would not see death before he saw the Lord's Messiah.^(x)

Guided by the Spirit, he entered^[q] the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law,

Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:

Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, as You promised.

For my eyes have seen Your salvation.^(y)

You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—

a light for revelation to the Gentiles^[r](z) and glory to Your people Israel.^(aa)

His father and mother^[s] were amazed at what was being said about Him.

Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: "Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel^(ab) and to be a sign that will be opposed^[t]—

and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts^[u] of many hearts may be revealed."

There was also a prophetess,^(ac) Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.^(ad) She was well along in years,^[v] having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,^[w](ae)

and was a widow for 84 years.^[x] She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.^(af)

At that very moment,^[y] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.^[z](ag)

When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.^(ah)

The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on Him.^(ai)

Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.^(aj)

When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.^(ak)

After those days were over,^(al) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents^[aa] did not know it.

Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends.

When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.

After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.

When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him,^(am) "Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You."^(an)

"Why were you searching for Me?" He asked them. "Didn't you know that I had to be in My Father's house?" ^[ab]

But they did not understand what He said to them.^(ao)

Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.^(ap)

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.^(aq)