Simeon

the one who took the child in his arms

Who was Simeon?

He was a righteous and devout man of Jerusalem, awaiting the consolation of Israel. Luke 2:25
The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah. Luke 2:26
In the Temple he took the child Jesus in his arms and blessed God. Luke 2:27-28

The name: It is the name of one of Jacob’s sons. His mother gave it to him because the Lord had heard her. Genesis 29:33

What the Bible says

Luke 2:25

And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.

Luke 2:26

And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

Luke 2:27-28

²⁷And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, ²⁸He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Simeon

Before Jesus. He lived in Jerusalem. He was righteous and devout, and he was awaiting the consolation of Israel. Luke 2:25
Before Jesus. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would see the Messiah before he died. Luke 2:25-26
With Jesus. Led by the Spirit, he went to the Temple on the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus there. Luke 2:27
With Jesus. He took the child in his arms and blessed God: now he could go in peace. Luke 2:28-29
With Jesus. He said that his eyes had seen the Savior, a light for the nations and the glory of Israel. Luke 2:30-32
With Jesus. He blessed Mary and Joseph. He told Mary that the child would be a sign that would be contradicted. Luke 2:34
With Jesus. And he told Mary that a sword would pierce her soul. Luke 2:35
Afterward. His canticle is prayed every night in the Church today, at Night Prayer. Liturgy of the Hours, Night Prayer

Words of Simeon

“Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32

In the Temple, with the child Jesus in his arms.

“Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; and thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35

To Mary, the mother of Jesus, after blessing her and Joseph.

What they were like

He was righteous and devout. Luke 2:25
He was awaiting the consolation of Israel: for God to come and save his people. Luke 2:25; NAB note on Lc 2, 25
The Holy Spirit was upon him. Luke 2:25

The greatest thing they did

He recognized in a baby the Messiah he had been waiting for. Luke 2:26-30
He said that this child would be a light for all peoples, not only for Israel. Luke 2:31-32

Not to be confused with

Simeon and Simon come from the same Hebrew name. Simeon is the man in the Temple; Simon Peter was an apostle. Luke 2:25; Matthew 4:18
He is a different Simeon, many centuries earlier: one of Jacob’s 12 sons. Genesis 29:33

In the Church today

In art, recognized by: An old man holding the child Jesus in his arms This is how Christian art shows him, from Lc 2, 28

What people ask

Was Simeon a priest?

The Bible does not say so. It only says that he was a righteous and devout man of Jerusalem. Luke 2:25

Was Simeon an old man?

The Bible does not give his age. He is painted as an old man because he was waiting to see the Messiah before he died. Luke 2:26, 29

What does “a sword will pierce your soul” mean?

Simeon said it to Mary. The Catechism teaches that Jesus united his Mother, more than anyone else, to his suffering. Luke 2:35; Catechism 618

Where is Simeon’s canticle prayed today?

The Church prays it every night at Night Prayer, the last prayer of the day. Liturgy of the Hours, Night Prayer

Little known He blessed Mary and Joseph, not only the child. Luke 2:34 Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was said about the child. Luke 2:33 Luke calls him…

The rest of this page (daily life, failings, little-known facts, for you…) is part of the subscription.

See the map

Who Simeon is connected to

Jesus · took him in his arms
Mary · foretold her a sword
Joseph · blessed them
Anna · at that very hour

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

See Simeon on the map