Luke 2 26

Luke 2:26 kjv

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Luke 2:26 nkjv

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.

Luke 2:26 niv

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

Luke 2:26 esv

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.

Luke 2:26 nlt

and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 26 Meaning

This verse states that Simeon, a righteous and devout man, had received a direct divine revelation from the Holy Spirit. This revelation promised him that he would not die until he had personally seen the Messiah, God's Anointed One. It underscores the specific nature of God's promise and the Holy Spirit's role in conveying it.

Luke 2 26 Context

Luke chapter 2 primarily details the birth of Jesus Christ, His humble beginnings, the angelic announcement to the shepherds, and His presentation at the Temple. Verses 25-38 introduce Simeon and Anna, two devout individuals in Jerusalem who had been faithfully awaiting the coming of the Messiah. In the broader historical and cultural context, there was a widespread anticipation among devout Jews for the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah, "the consolation of Israel." The Temple was the central place of worship and expectation for God's redemptive work. Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the requirements of the Mosaic Law for the purification of the mother (Lev 12:2-8) and the presentation of the firstborn son (Exod 13:2, 12). It was during this pivotal moment that Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, encountered the infant Jesus and his long-held promise was fulfilled.

Luke 2 26 Word analysis

• And it had been revealed to him: The Greek phrase is kai ēn kekhrēmatismenon auto (καὶ ἦν κεχρηματισμένον αὐτῷ).
  • kekhrēmatismenon (κεχρηματισμένον) is a perfect passive participle of chrematizo, which signifies a divine oracle, instruction, or warning. It suggests an authoritative and specific communication from God, not a human insight or dream. It highlights that the revelation was a completed action and continued to be valid. The passive voice indicates divine agency; Simeon was the recipient, not the originator.
• by the Holy Spirit: The Greek is hupo tou Pneumatos tou Hagiou (ὑπὸ τοῦ Πνεύματος τοῦ Ἁγίου).
  • This specifies the source and agency of the revelation. It signifies that this promise to Simeon was divinely inspired and authentic, aligning with the Spirit's prophetic role in both Old and New Testaments. The Holy Spirit is consistently depicted as the One who reveals God's truth and intentions.
• that he would not see death: The Greek is mē idein thanaton (μὴ ἰδεῖν θάνατον).
  • This is a Semitic idiom meaning "to experience death" or "to die." The phrase is emphatic, promising Simeon that his physical life would be miraculously preserved until a specific condition was met.
• before he had seen: The Greek is prin ē idē (πρὶν ἢ ἴδῃ).
  • This establishes the specific condition for the fulfillment of Simeon's life's purpose and the subsequent release from his earthly life. It indicates a temporal precedence: the seeing must occur prior to his death. "Seeing" here implies not just physical sight but also spiritual recognition and comprehension of the Messiah's identity.
• the Lord's Christ: The Greek is ton Khriston Kuriou (τὸν Χριστὸν Κυρίου).
  • Christon (Χριστόν) is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Māšîaḥ (מָשִׁיחַ), meaning "Anointed One." This title carries profound theological weight, signifying the divinely appointed King, Priest, and Prophet promised in the Old Testament.
  • Kuriou (Κυρίου), "of the Lord," refers to God (YHWH). Thus, "the Lord's Christ" emphatically links Jesus to the divine purpose and ancient covenantal promises of God concerning the Anointed Savior of Israel and the world.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit": This phrase underscores the supernatural and personal nature of the divine communication to Simeon. It was not a general expectation but a specific, direct promise conveyed through the very presence of God's Spirit in him (Luke 2:25). This emphasizes God's active involvement in guiding specific individuals to perceive His redemptive plan.
  • "he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ": This remarkable promise granted Simeon an exceptional privilege, directly linking the completion of his life's purpose with the appearance of the Messiah. It paints Simeon as a watchman, sustained by divine decree until he fulfilled his God-ordained mission, which was to witness the coming of God's salvation. This showcases God's faithfulness to those who wait upon Him.

Luke 2 26 Bonus section

• Simeon as a type of faithful Israel: Simeon represents the devout remnant of Israel who were truly awaiting the Messiah, distinguishing them from those who missed or rejected His coming. His experience encapsulates the patience and perseverance of those who earnestly look for God's "consolation."
• Personal nature of God's promise: While the Messiah's coming was for all, the revelation to Simeon was a specific, personal promise. This illustrates that God's overarching redemptive plan also intersects intimately with individual lives and destinies.
• The Spirit's revelatory power: This verse, alongside others in Luke 2 (e.g., Luke 2:25, 2:27), emphasizes the Holy Spirit as the primary agent for recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, setting a precedent for His continued work in guiding believers to Christ throughout history. It showcases that understanding Christ is a spiritual revelation, not merely intellectual.
• Significance of "seeing": For Simeon, "seeing" meant far more than mere visual perception. It involved spiritual discernment and joyful recognition of the long-awaited divine Anointed One. His subsequent actions and words in Luke 2:29-32 confirm this deep understanding and acceptance.

Luke 2 26 Commentary

Luke 2:26 provides the core reason for Simeon's profound encounter with the infant Jesus. It highlights the divine orchestrating hand, confirming that Simeon's anticipation was not mere longing but a specific promise directly given by the Holy Spirit. This unique revelation demonstrates God's intimate care for His faithful servants, rewarding Simeon's piety and devout expectation (Luke 2:25) with a tangible fulfillment. The Spirit's active role is paramount, serving as the divine revealer of God's Anointed One, underscoring that Jesus' identity as the Christ is rooted in God's eternal plan and prophetic fulfillment. Simeon's life became a living testimony to divine faithfulness, culminating in seeing "the Lord's Christ," the very salvation promised to Israel and revealed to all nations (Luke 2:30-32). It reminds believers that faithful waiting upon God for His promises, guided by the Holy Spirit, will ultimately lead to glorious encounters and fulfilling revelations of His will and purpose.