Luke 2:25-52

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

²⁵ There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,^(A) looking forward to Israel’s consolation,^[a](B) and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit^(C) that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.^{(D) 27} Guided by the Spirit, he entered^[b] the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, ²⁸ Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:

³³ His father and mother^[d] were amazed at what was being said about Him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel^(H) and to be a sign that will be opposed^[e]— ³⁵ and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts^[f] of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna’s Testimony

³⁶ There was also a prophetess,^(I) Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.^(J) She was well along in years,^[g] having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,^{[h](K) 37} and was a widow for 84 years.^[i] She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.^{(L) 38} At that very moment,^[j] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.^[k](M)

The Family’s Return to Nazareth

³⁹ When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.^{(N) 40} The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him.^(O)

In His Father’s House

⁴¹ Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.^{(P) 42} When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.^{(Q) 43} After those days were over,^(R) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents^[l] did not know it. ⁴⁴ Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. ⁴⁶ After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. ⁴⁸ When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him,^(S) “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”^(T)

⁴⁹ “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”^{[m] 50} But they did not understand what He said to them.^(U)

In Favor with God and with People

⁵¹ Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.^{(V) 52} And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.^(W)