Notes. Lukb II. 25-~35.
26. — [A man whose name was Simeon,] Some learned men bold that this Simeon was a man of great note in Jerusalem, the son of Hillel, and father of Gamaliel. Henry says, **the Jews say that he was endued with a prophetic spirit, and that he was turned out of his place because he witnessed against the common opinion of the Jews concerning the temporal kingdom of the Messiah.'* All this, to say the least, is doubtful.
[The consolation of Israel.] This was a name applied by the Jews to the Messiah. Lightfoot says, " the whole nation waited for the consolation of Israel ; insomuch that there was nothing more common with them, than to swear by the desire which they had of seeing it"
[The Holy OhosC.upon him.] Let us not fail to note that this was before the death and ascension of Christ, and the outpour- ing of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. We must never forget that Old Testament saints were taught by the Holy Ghost as really as believers after the Gospel was set up, though not in such full measure.
29. — [Lettest depart.] The idea is that of loosing a person from a chain, or giving a prisoner release from captivity.
80. — [Salvation.] The word so translated is only used here and in three other places : — Luke iii. 6 ; Acts xxviii. 28 ; and Ephes. yL 17. It is a more abstract, energetic word .than the one commonly so translated.
81. — [All people.] The expression here is different from that in verse 10. It would be more literally and correctly rendered in this place, ** all peoples."
82. — [Light to..,the Oentile8.„glory of. ..Israel.] Ford quotes Dr. Bichard Gierke's remarks on this verse, ** It is noted by the learned that the sweet singer of this song doth put the Gentile before the Jew, because the second calling, the conversion of the Jews to Christ, shall not be till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."
83. — [Of him.] Let it be noted carefully that "of" in this place means "about," or "concerning."
84. — [Simeon blessed them.] From this expression some have supposed that Simeon was at least a chief priest, if not the high pnest. There is nothing to justify the supposition. As one specially inspired by the Holy Ghost to prophecy, Simeon was doing nothing more, in blessing them, than any prophet would have done, whether a priest or not.
85. — [A sword shaU pierce^ Sc] The simplest explanation of these words is, that Simeon foretells sorrow coming on the Virgin Mary, as cutting and heart-piercing as a sword. This was spe-