Simeon
- Dates
- 90 BC – 3 AD
Name means "answering of prayer." He is a pious man who receives a promise from the Holy Spirit that he will see the Lord's Christ before he dies. When Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple, Simeon recognizes Him and prophesies.
In detail
Simeon. A pious man who waited for the salvation of Israel. Having received the promise from the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, he was present at the Temple when Joseph and Mary were there to present the infant Jesus to the Lord according to Hebrew law. Simeon recognized in Him the Christ and made predictions concerning the Child and His mother, at the same time expressing his willingness to die now that his most fervent desire had been fulfilled (Lk 2:25—35).
Bible passages
- Luke 2:25-35
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, …
Text of the King James Version.