Luke 2 29

Luke 2:29 kjv

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

Luke 2:29 nkjv

"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;

Luke 2:29 niv

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

Luke 2:29 esv

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;

Luke 2:29 nlt

"Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 29 Meaning

Luke 2:29 records Simeon's prayer of thanksgiving upon seeing the infant Jesus. It is a declaration of profound peace and readiness to die, recognizing that God has fulfilled His specific promise. Simeon, having witnessed the arrival of the Lord's Anointed, can now depart from this life in a state of completeness and divine satisfaction, all in perfect accordance with God's reliable spoken word.

Luke 2 29 Context

Luke chapter 2 begins with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, followed by the angelic announcement to the shepherds. After Jesus' circumcision, He is brought to the temple in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph for purification rituals and presentation, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law. It is here that Simeon, a "righteous and devout" man, filled with the Holy Spirit, encounters the infant Messiah. The Holy Spirit had specifically revealed to Simeon that he would not experience death until he had seen "the Lord's Christ." Thus, upon seeing Jesus, guided by the Spirit, Simeon takes the child into his arms and delivers this profound prayer, often referred to as the Nunc Dimittis, expressing his deep fulfillment and contentment. This prayer stands alongside Mary's Magnificat and Zechariah's Benedictus as significant prophecies of God's salvation, particularly emphasizing the spiritual and universal nature of the Messiah's work, which diverged from contemporary Jewish expectations of a political deliverer.

Luke 2 29 Word analysis

• Lord (Δέσποτα, Despota): This is a strong Greek term for "master" or "absolute ruler," distinct from the more common "Kyrios" (Lord/Sir). Simeon uses it to acknowledge God's ultimate sovereignty and absolute control over his life, his departure, and the divine plan. It signifies deep reverence and submission.

• now (νῦν, nyn): This adverb emphasizes the immediate, present reality of fulfillment. It signifies that the promised moment has arrived and been concretely realized, eliminating any further waiting or expectation for this particular promise.

• You are letting Your servant depart (ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου, apolyeis ton doulon sou):

  • ἀπολύεις (apolyeis): Means "you release," "you dismiss," or "you let go." Here, it serves as a gentle euphemism for allowing Simeon to die. It underscores that Simeon's death is not a tragic end but a divinely ordained, peaceful release from his earthly duties, managed by God.
  • τὸν δοῦλόν σου (ton doulon sou): Translates to "Your bondservant" or "Your slave." This term conveys complete submission and devotion to God's will. Simeon views his entire life as dedicated service to his divine Master, now completed, confirming his identity as one fully owned and utilized by God.

• in peace (ἐν εἰρήνῃ, en eirēnē): The Greek word eirēnē encapsulates the rich meaning of the Hebrew shalom. It signifies comprehensive well-being, wholeness, prosperity, tranquility, and, crucially, a right and harmonious relationship with God. For Simeon, this peace stems from having witnessed God's salvation and realizing his life's divinely appointed purpose.

• according to Your word (κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου, kata to rhēma sou):

  • κατὰ (kata): Means "according to" or "in agreement with."
  • τὸ ῥῆμά σου (to rhēma sou): Refers specifically to a "spoken word" or "divine utterance," rather than the more general "logos." This highlights the precise and personal promise God had given to Simeon. It underscores God's absolute faithfulness and reliability in fulfilling His direct, declared promises.

• "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart": This phrase captures Simeon's complete yielding to divine will. He acknowledges that his life is entirely in God's hands, including the timing of his departure. It speaks to a deep, trustful surrender, free from anxiety about death.

• "depart in peace": This highlights the internal and external state of Simeon's readiness for death. The peace is a spiritual fulfillment and contentment, a shalom that transcends fear of death, stemming from having seen God's salvific work.

• "according to Your word": This underscores the foundational principle of divine faithfulness. Simeon's entire prayer and life's anticipation were built on a specific promise from God. His peace is intrinsically linked to the perfect fulfillment of that divine guarantee.

Luke 2 29 Bonus section

The "Nunc Dimittis" from Luke 2:29-32 is one of the three foundational canticles (biblical hymns) found in Luke's infancy narrative, alongside the Magnificat (Mary's praise) and the Benedictus (Zechariah's prophecy). These canticles are central to Christian liturgical traditions, recited or sung in daily offices, celebrating God's redemptive work through Christ. Simeon's prayer powerfully encapsulates the long-held hope of Israel, shifting from an earthly, nationalistic expectation of Messiah to a spiritual, universal one—foreshadowed further in Luke 2:32 as "a light for revelation to the Gentiles." His act of holding Jesus signified a tangible connection to the fulfillment of prophecies stretching back centuries, solidifying the transition from anticipation to realization of salvation history.

Luke 2 29 Commentary

Simeon's "Nunc Dimittis" is a pinnacle moment in Luke's infancy narrative, serving as a powerful testimony to God's unfailing faithfulness and the culmination of Old Testament anticipation in the person of Jesus Christ. As a devout and righteous individual, guided by the Holy Spirit, Simeon embodied the faithful remnant of Israel who truly longed for God's salvation, distinguishing him from those whose expectations of the Messiah were more political. His readiness to "depart in peace" is not a wish for death but an expression of profound contentment and release, knowing his God-given purpose has been perfectly fulfilled. The specific emphasis on God's "word" (rhēma) confirms that divine promises are concrete, personal, and absolutely trustworthy, fulfilled with precision. Simeon's encounter with the Christ child allowed him to see God's salvation for both Israel and all nations, bringing him an ultimate spiritual shalom. This canticle beautifully illustrates that true peace is found in seeing and embracing the salvation offered by God through His Christ, fulfilling one's divine calling.

• A believer who has long prayed for a specific family member's salvation might find profound peace upon witnessing that conversion, feeling their heart's deepest prayer fulfilled.
• Someone dedicated to a specific ministry or mission throughout their life, upon its successful completion or seeing its impact, might experience a similar "release" and contentment, knowing God's purpose for them in that area is done.
• In times of severe illness or old age, believers can face death with peace, not because they are "tired of living," but because they have an assurance of their salvation and trust in God's ongoing purpose, even beyond this life, having seen His truth lived out.