Luke 2:25-52

Easy-to-Read Version

Simeon Sees Jesus

²⁵ A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was a good man who was devoted to God. He was waiting for the time when God would come to help Israel. The Holy Spirit was with him. ²⁶ The Holy Spirit told him that he would not die before he saw the Messiah from the Lord. ²⁷ The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. So he was there when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to do what the Jewish law said they must do. ²⁸ Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God:

³³ Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “Many Jews will fall and many will rise because of this boy. He will be a sign from God that some will not accept. ³⁵ So the secret thoughts of many will be made known. And the things that happen will be painful for you—like a sword cutting through your heart.”

Anna Sees Jesus

³⁶ Anna, a prophetess, was there at the Temple. She was from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. She was now very old. She had lived with her husband seven years ³⁷ before he died and left her alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna was always at the Temple; she never left. She worshiped God by fasting and praying day and night.

³⁸ Anna was there when Joseph and Mary came to the Temple. She praised God and talked about Jesus to all those who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.

Joseph and Mary Return Home

³⁹ Joseph and Mary finished doing all the things that the law of the Lord commanded. Then they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee. ⁴⁰ The little boy Jesus was developing into a mature young man, full of wisdom. God was blessing him.

Jesus as a Boy

⁴¹ Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. ⁴² When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual. ⁴³ When the festival was over, they went home, but Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know about it. ⁴⁴ They traveled for a whole day thinking that Jesus was with them in the group. They began looking for him among their family and close friends, ⁴⁵ but they did not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there.

⁴⁶ After three days they found him. Jesus was sitting in the Temple area with the religious teachers, listening and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and wise answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they wondered how this was possible. And his mother said, “Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you. We have been looking for you.”

⁴⁹ Jesus said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? You should have known that I must be where my Father’s work is.^[a]” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand the meaning of what he said to them.

⁵¹ Jesus went with them to Nazareth and obeyed them. His mother was still thinking about all these things. ⁵² As Jesus grew taller, he continued to grow in wisdom. God was pleased with him and so were the people who knew him.