Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 2:26

"And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord`s Christ." — Luke 2:26 (ASV)

The same Spirit had revealed to Simeon that the Messiah would come before he died. This may imply that he was an old man.

Mary and Joseph are referred to as Jesus’ “parents” (v.27) and as “the child’s father and mother” (v.33). Jesus would have been considered Joseph’s own son, so Luke’s terminology is not inconsistent. In the genealogy, however, the particulars of the relationship had to be made more explicit (3:23). Luke notes the providential timing in that the Spirit brings Simeon to the temple courts at the same time as the family’s arrival. In this touching scene, Luke again shows the presence of Jesus, now in Simeon’s arms, as an occasion of praise to God.