28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. LUKE 2:28-32
Chapter CONTEXT from MHCC: In this chapter, we have an account of the birth and infancy of our Lord Jesus: having had notice of his conception, and of the birth and infancy of his forerunner, in the former chapter. The First-begotten is here brought into the world; let us go meet him with our hosannas, blessed is he that cometh. Here is, I. The place and other circumstances of his birth, which proved him to be the true Messiah, and such a one as we needed, but not such a one as the Jews expected (v. 1-7). II. The notifying of his birth to the shepherds in that neighbourhood by an angel, the song of praise which the angels sung upon that occasion, and the spreading of the report of it by the shepherds (v. 8-20). III. The circumcision of Christ, and the naming of him (v. 21). IV. The presenting of him in the temple (v. 22-24). V. The testimonies of Simeon, and Anna the prophetess, concerning him (v. 25-39). VI. Christ’s growth and capacity (v. 40-52). VIII. His observing the passover at twelve years old, and his disputing with the doctors in the temple (v. 41-51). And this, with what we have met with (Mt. 1 and 2), is all we have concerning our Lord Jesus, till he entered upon his public work in the thirtieth year of his age.
The God of Heaven has been born as a man and as the custom of the day was brought to the temple v.21-24 thereby being made under the law and fulfilling it.
It is here at the temple that Simeon, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and was promised he would see the Messiah before he died. Upon entering the temple he cried out v.29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Simeon immediately recognized what so many of his day and the present fail miserably at seeing the Lord Jesus, in plain sight. He stood out then and He stands out now all one has to do is look and answer the urging of the Holy Spirit.
Even when he humbles himself, still Christ has honour done him to balance the offence of it. That we might not be stumbled at the meanness of his birth, angels then did him honour; and now, that we may not be offended at his being presented in the temple, like other children born in sin, and without any manner of solemnity peculiar to him, but silently, and in the crowd of other children, Simeon and Anna now do him honour, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew Henry intro to Luke 2 v.25-39
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