“And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;”
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against — the blessing of the parents is followed by the specific prophetic word to Mary. This child is destined (keitai, is set, placed) for the falling and rising of many: the child is not merely a blessing but a crisis — a moment of decision that divides. A sign that will be spoken against (antilegomenon): the opposition to Jesus that characterizes the rest of Luke and Acts is here predicted before it begins.
Church Fathers on Luke 2:34
The knowledge of supernatural things, as often as it is brought to the recollection, renews the miracle in the mind, and hence it is said, His father and mother marveled at those things which were said of him.
Both by the angel and the multitude of the heavenly host, by the shepherds also, and Simeon.
Joseph is called the father of the Savior, not because he was (as the Photinians say) His real father, but because from regard to the reputation of Mary, all men considered him so.
Read all 28 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!