Who Was Simeon at the Temple According to the Bible?

Simeon in the Bible (pronounced Sim-ee-uhn) was a devout and just man. Luke 2:21-40 tells how Simeon went to the Temple in Jerusalem where he met the Holy Family. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were visiting, in keeping with the law of Moses, to present newborns in the Temple on the 40th day after their birth.

Simeon held baby Jesus and immediately felt that he was in the presence of the savior. He said a prayer and gave a prophecy that foresaw Christ's crucifixion. Also at the Temple that day was the prophet Anna. She came up to Jesus and began praising God and speaking of the child. Both Simeon and Anna recognized the Messiah while he was just an infant.

God's Promise to Simeon

God sent an angel to promise Simeon he would not die before he had seen Christ. Inspired by the Spirit, Simeon visited the Temple, and the Holy Spirit allowed Simeon to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Once he had held, and blessed baby Jesus, Simeon said "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace" as he was ready to die.

What Happened to Simeon in the Bible?

Experts have worked out how old Simeon was in the Bible when he died to be about 200 years old. According to Eastern Orthodox tradition, Simeon had been translating the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) when he hesitated on the translation of the phrase "behold a virgin will conceive" and for this, he was told by an angel that he would not die before he had seen Christ born to a virgin.

The Significance of the Prophecy of Simeon

The prayer (Nunc Dimittus) uttered by Simeon as he held Jesus is still used today in the Catholic Church. And some Christian denominations commemorate Simeon with Candlemas on the 2nd of February. The prophecy of Simeon in the Bible was one of the most meaningful events in Jesus' life which took place in Jerusalem (meaning: City of Peace).