Luke 2:34
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;
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐλόγησεν
blessed
G2127
εὐλόγησεν
blessed
Strong's:
G2127
Word #:
2 of 26
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 26
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
7 of 26
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Μαριὰμ
Mary
G3137
Μαριὰμ
Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
8 of 26
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μητέρα
mother
G3384
μητέρα
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
10 of 26
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 26
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
οὗτος
this
G3778
οὗτος
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
13 of 26
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
κεῖται
child is set
G2749
κεῖται
child is set
Strong's:
G2749
Word #:
14 of 26
to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πτῶσιν
the fall
G4431
πτῶσιν
the fall
Strong's:
G4431
Word #:
16 of 26
a crash, i.e., downfall (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀνάστασιν
rising again
G386
ἀνάστασιν
rising again
Strong's:
G386
Word #:
18 of 26
a standing up again, i.e., (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (mor
πολλῶν
of many
G4183
πολλῶν
of many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
19 of 26
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
G2474
Ἰσραὴλ
Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
22 of 26
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
for
G1519
εἰς
for
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
24 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;Matthew 21:44And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.Hosea 14:9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.Hebrews 7:7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.Acts 6:7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.Romans 9:32Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;1 Peter 4:14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Historical Context
Simeon's prophecy proved accurate throughout Jesus' ministry. Religious leaders opposed Him (Matthew 26:3-4), His hometown rejected Him (Luke 4:28-29), and even His family doubted (John 7:5). Yet thousands believed and rose to new life. This division continues—Christ remains 'the stone which the builders rejected' (Psalm 118:22, Acts 4:11). Simeon's words to Mary about a sword piercing her soul (v.35) anticipated her anguish at the cross (John 19:25-27).
Questions for Reflection
- Why is Jesus inherently polarizing rather than universally accepted or rejected?
- How should the certainty of opposition shape Christian expectations about gospel proclamation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Simeon prophesies to Mary: 'Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against' (ἰδοὺ οὗτος κεῖται εἰς πτῶσιν καὶ ἀνάστασιν πολλῶν ἐν τῷ Ἰσραήλ καὶ εἰς σημεῖον ἀντιλεγόμενον). The verb 'keimai' (κεῖται, is set/appointed) indicates divine purpose. 'Ptōsis' (πτῶσις, fall) and 'anastasis' (ἀνάστασις, rising) describe opposite responses to Jesus—He divides humanity into those who fall in judgment (stumbling over Him) and those who rise in salvation. The phrase 'sign which shall be spoken against' (σημεῖον ἀντιλεγόμενον) prophesies opposition and contradiction throughout Jesus' ministry. Christ is inherently polarizing; neutral responses are impossible.