Luke 2:35 Meaning and Explanation
“(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Simeon tells Mary that sorrow like a sword will pierce her own soul, and that through this child the thoughts of many hearts will be exposed.
What Does Luke 2:35 Mean?
To Mary alone Simeon adds: a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also. The mother of the Messiah will not be spared the cost of His rejection; she will one day stand near the cross and watch (John 19:25). And through it all, the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.
Christ is the revealer of hearts. What people do with Him exposes what they truly are. And those who love Him most may feel the sword most deeply, for blessedness and sorrow are not strangers in the life of faith. Mary's pierced soul stands with every believer who has suffered for loving Christ in a world that speaks against Him.
Luke 2:35 in the Original Language
rhomphaia (ῥομφαία), 'sword' -- a long broadsword, an image of piercing grief.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 2:35
What does Luke 2:35 mean?
Simeon tells Mary that sorrow like a sword will pierce her own soul, and that through this child the thoughts of many hearts will be exposed.