Luke 2:33
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μήτηρ
mother
G3384
μήτηρ
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
6 of 13
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐπὶ
at
G1909
ἐπὶ
at
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαλουμένοις
those things which were spoken
G2980
λαλουμένοις
those things which were spoken
Strong's:
G2980
Word #:
11 of 13
to talk, i.e., utter words
Historical Context
First-century Jewish parents would normally hear standard priestly blessings at temple presentations. Simeon's prophetic oracle—delivered by a stranger yet clearly authoritative—exponentially exceeded routine blessings. His words of universal salvation through their infant would have seemed almost incomprehensible in scope.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do Mary and Joseph continue marvelling despite previous revelations about Jesus's identity?
- How does their ongoing amazement model the proper posture of faith—not knowing everything but trusting progressively revealed truth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him (καὶ ἦν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἡ μήτηρ θαυμάζοντες ἐπὶ τοῖς λαλουμένοις περὶ αὐτοῦ, kai ēn ho patēr autou kai hē mētēr thaumazontes epi tois laloumenois peri autou)—The Greek verb thaumazō indicates wonder mixed with amazement. Despite Gabriel's annunciation, Elizabeth's prophecy, and the shepherds' testimony, each new revelation still astonishes.
Luke's reference to 'his father' uses social convention, not biological reality—Joseph functioned as Jesus's legal father though not genetic progenitor. Their continued amazement shows that divine revelation unfolds progressively; even those closest to Jesus continually discovered deeper dimensions of His identity. Faith doesn't eliminate wonder but intensifies it as God's purposes gradually reveal themselves.