Luke 2:34 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Simeon blesses the family and tells Mary the child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that is opposed.
What Does Luke 2:34 Mean?
Simeon blesses the parents, then turns to Mary with a darker word. The child is set, appointed, for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against. The Messiah will be contradicted, not merely welcomed.
No one meets this child and remains as before: hearts either stumble over Him or rise through Him. He is the stone the prophets spoke of, a sanctuary to some and a stone of stumbling to others (Isaiah 8:14; 28:16). The opposition Simeon foresees will shadow Jesus all the way to the cross. The verse asks its quiet question of every reader: in your life, is He fall or rising?
Luke 2:34 in the Original Language
anastasis (ἀνάστασις), 'rising again' -- a rising up; the word later used for resurrection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 2:34
What does Luke 2:34 mean?
Simeon blesses the family and tells Mary the child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that is opposed.