Consolation of Israel. Compare hope of Israel, Acts xxviii. 20, and Isa. xl. 1. The Messianic blessing of the nation. Of the Messiah himself, Rest. See Isa. xi. 10. A common form of adjuration among the Jews was, So may I see the consolation.
26. It was revealed (jy kexpnuaticpévov). Lit., ¢¢ was hawing been revealed y 1e., it stood revealed, while he waited for the fulfilment of the revelation. The verb means primarily to have dealings with ; thence to consult or debate about busi- ness matters; and so of an oracle, to give a response to one consulting it. The word here implies that the revelation to Simeon had been given in answer to prayer, See on Matt. li. 12.
27. By the Spirit (& 7d mvevpats). Lit., as Rev., “dn the Spirit:” the Holy Spirit prompting him. Indicating rather his spiritual condition, as one who walked with God, than a special divine impulse.
After the custom (xara 7d eiucpévov). Lit., according to that which was wont to be done. Only here in New Testament ; and the kindred words, 90s, custom, and éJw, to be accustomed, occur more frequently in Luke than elsewhere. Very common in medical writings.
29. Lettest thou thy servant depart (aonveus tov Soddbv gov). Lit., thow dost release. The word is often used of mann- mitting or setting free on payment of ransom; and as Simeon uses the word for bond-servant, it is evident that his death is
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74 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cg. II.
conceived by him under the figure of enfranchisement from service. Godet’s “release of a sentinel from duty ” is fanciful.
O Lord (Sécrora). See on 2 Pet. ui. 1.
In peace. Rev. properly puts this in its emphatic position at the end of the sentence.
31. Of all people (wdvrwv tév Aadv). The noun is plural, the peoples, and refers equally to the Gentiles. See Introduc- tion, on the universality of Luke’s Gospel. Wye., all peoples ; and so Rev.
32. A light (¢és). The light itself as distinguished from Avxvos, a lamp, which the A. V. often unfortunately renders light. See on Mark xiv. 54.
To lighten (eis droxdduwv). Wrong. Rey., correctly, for revelation. Wyc., to the shewing. It may be rendered the wn- veiling of the Gentiles.
Gentiles (é9vav). Assigned to the same root as é3a, to be accustomed, and hence of a people bound together by like habits or customs. According to biblical usage the term is understood of people who are not of Israel, and who therefore occupy a different position with reference to the plan of salva- tion. Hence the extension of the gospel salvation to them is treated as a remarkable fact. See Matt. xii. 18, 215; xxiv. 14; xxviii. 19; Acts x. 45; xi. 18; xviii. 6. Paul is called distinctive- ly an apostle and teacher of the Gentiles, and a chosen vessel to bear Christ’s name among them. In Acts xv. 9; Eph. ii. 11, 18; iii. 6, we see this difference annihilated, and the expression at last is merely historical designation of the non-Israelitish nations which, as such, were formerly without God and salva- tion. See Acts xv. 23; Rom. xvi. 4; Eph. iii. 1. Sometimes the word is used in a purely moral sense, to denote the heathen in opposition to Christians. See 1 Cor. v.13; x. 20; 1 Pet. i. 12. Light is promised here to the Gentiles and glory to Israel.
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The Gentiles are regarded as in darkness and ignorance. Some render the words eis aoxaduer, above, Jor the unveiling of the Gentiles, instead of for revelation. Compare Isa. xxv. 7. Israel, however, has already received light by the revelation of God through the law and the prophets, and that light will expand into glory through Christ. Through the Messiah, Israel will attain its true and highest glory.
33. And Joseph. The best texts read 6 TaTnp avtod, his Sather.