Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 25. A man … named Simeon, whom some conjecture to have been one of the Jewish priests.—Waiting for the consolation of Israel, for the happy coming of the Messias.—And the Holy Ghost was in him, by the spirit of grace and of prophecy. Witham.—The consolation here expected by Holy Simeon, was the coming of the Messias, and the consequent redemption of mankind from sin and the devil; not a redemption only, as some carnal Jews thought, from the power of temporal enemies. These supposed the Messias was to come in order to raise them in power above all nations, to whom before his coming they had been subject. Saint Gregory of Nyssa in Diony.—Many have pretended that Simeon was a priest; the best and oldest interpreters say he was a laic. V.