Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 2:25

"And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him." — Luke 2:25 (ASV)

Whose name was Simeon.—Some writers have identified the man thus described with a very memorable Simeon in the annals of the Jewish scribes, the son of Hillel and the father of Gamaliel. He became president of the Sanhedrin, A.D. 13. Singularly enough, the Mishna, the great collection of expositions of the Law by the leading Rabbis, passes over his name altogether, and this suggests it may have done so because he was under a cloud, as believing in the prophet of Nazareth.

On this assumption, his looking for the “consolation of Israel” may be connected on one side with the fact that he, too, was of the house of David, and on the other, with the cautious counsel of Gamaliel (Acts 5:38–39).

Against this view, however, is the fact that St. Luke’s way of speaking leaves the impression that the Simeon of whom he speaks was of a very advanced age, waiting for his departure. Furthermore, Luke, who names Gamaliel’s position (Acts 5:34), would hardly have passed over Simeon’s if he were this prominent figure.

An aged Essene of this name was living at the time of Herod’s death, who rebuked Archelaus for marrying his brother’s widow and prophesied his downfall. This Essene more nearly fulfills the conditions; however, the name Simeon was so common that all such conjectures are very precarious.

Devout.—The Greek word expresses the cautious, scrupulous side of the religious life and is therefore always used in the New Testament (Acts 2:5; Acts 8:2; Acts 22:12) of Jewish devoutness.

The consolation of Israel.—This is the first occurrence of this phrase. In its general use, it included the idea of counsel as well as comfort. Here, the latter is obviously the dominant thought. We cannot pass over these words without remembering that the Child of whom Simeon spoke called Himself the Comforter and promised His disciples to send them another, who should bear the same name (John 14:16).

The Holy Ghost was upon him.—These words point to a special moment of inspiration, rather than continuous guidance.