LUKE 2:32 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Φῶς
2. fōs
3. +a light
4. light
5. 54570
6. N····ANS
7. ˓a˒ light
8. ˓a˒ light
9. b
10. Y4; TTemple_Presentation_of_Jesus
11. 39217
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. for
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. for
8. for
9. -
10. Y4; TTemple_Presentation_of_Jesus
11. 39218
1. ἀποκάλυψιν
2. apokalupsis
3. revelation
4. -
5. 6020
6. N····AFS
7. revelation
8. revelation
9. -
10. Y4; TTemple_Presentation_of_Jesus
11. 39219
1. ἐθνῶν
2. ethnos
3. of +the pagans
4. -
5. 14840
6. N····GNP
7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ pagans
8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ pagans
9. -
10. Y4; TTemple_Presentation_of_Jesus
11. 39220
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y4; TTemple_Presentation_of_Jesus
11. 39221
1. δόξαν
2. doxa
3. glory
4. -
5. 13910
6. N····AFS
7. glory
8. glory
9. -
10. Y4; TTemple_Presentation_of_Jesus
11. 39222
1. λαοῦ
2. laos
3. of +the people
4. people
5. 29920
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ people
8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ people
9. -
10. Y4; TTemple_Presentation_of_Jesus
11. 39223
1. σοῦ
2. su
3. of you
4. your
5. 47710
6. R···2G·S
7. ˱of˲ you
8. ˱of˲ you
9. -
10. Y4; TTemple_Presentation_of_Jesus
11. 39224
1. Ἰσραήλ
2. israēl
3. Israaʸl/(Yisrāʼēl)
4. -
5. 24740
6. N····GMS
7. Israaʸl/(Yisrā\sup ʼēl\sup*)
8. Israel
9. U
10. Y4; TTemple_Presentation_of_Jesus
11. 39225

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:21–40: The baby Jesus at the temple

The events in this section happened some days after Jesus was born.

In 2:21–24, Luke mentioned three ceremonies that were done when Jewish boys were born:

the baby boy was circumcised;
the mother was ritually purified;
the baby boy was presented to God.

In 2:25–38 Luke described two other events that happened while Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were at the temple in Jerusalem. God allowed two righteous people named Simeon and Anna to see Jesus and to thank God for him. Simeon spoke a prophecy about Jesus and Mary.

In 2:39–40 Luke concluded the section. Joseph and Mary took Jesus back to their home in Nazareth, where he grew and became strong and wise. The Gospel of Matthew indicates that before they went to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Egypt and stayed there for some time. Although Luke does not mention this, you should connect the clauses in 2:39 in a way that does not contradict it.

It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Some other possible headings for this section are:

Jesus’ Parents Obey Moses’ Teachings (GW)

Jesus Presented at the Temple (NASB)

Some English versions begin new sections at 2:25 and at 2:36. If you decide to do this in your translation, some possible headings are:

Simeon saw Jesus and prophesied about him (2:25)

Anna thanked God for Jesus and told others about him (2:36)

Simeon’s Prophecy (2:25)

Anna’s Prophecy (2:36)

2:32

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel: Scholars interpret this clause differently:

The words revelation and glory are parallel. They both relate to a light (2:32a). This light:
1. reveals God’s salvation to the Gentiles, and
2. brings glory to Israel. For example:
  a light that will bring revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel (REB) (BSB, NIV, GNT, NJB, RSV, NET, REB, GW)
The words light and glory are parallel. They both relate to salvation (2:30). The Christ and the salvation that he brings are:
1. a light to…the Gentiles, and
2. the glory of Israel. For example:
  He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of…Israel! (NLT) (NIV11, NASB, NCV, CEV, NLT, KJV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

2:32a

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

This salvation will be a light to reveal/show you to the Gentiles
He will be like a light that reveals things. The people who are not Jews are like people in the dark, but he will cause them to know you,

a light: As with “salvation” in 2:30, a light is another way that Simeon referred to “the Lord’s Christ” (2:26b). Simeon described the Christ as a light because he is like a light. Just as light enables people to see things, the Christ will enable people to know things.

for revelation to the Gentiles: In this context the word revelation indicates that the Christ as the light will reveal God and his character (his love, will, truth, and grace). He will reveal this to the Gentiles who are in spiritual darkness.

If your language needs to express the word revelation as a verbal idea, you can say:

He will be like a light to reveal/show you to the Gentiles

A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles (GNT)

2:32b

and for glory to Your people Israel.”

and bring glory/honor to your people, the Israelites.”
and he will bring honor to us^(excl) Israelites/Jews who are your people.”

for glory to Your people Israel: The Christ as the light will bring glory to God’s people Israel.

glory: Here, the word glory means “honor,” “praise,” or “a high reputation.” In some language this can be expressed as:

he is the pride of your people Israel

Israel received glory and honor because the Christ, the Savior, was an Israelite. See glory, sense A3(c), in KBT.

General Comment on 2:29–32

Luke 2:30–32 gives the reason for 2:29. In some languages, it may be more natural to put 2:30–32 before 2:29. For example:

³⁰My eyes have seen your salvation, ³¹which you have prepared in the sight of all people, ³²a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. ²⁹So, Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

φῶς εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν καὶ δόξαν λαοῦ σου, Ἰσραήλ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Φῶς εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν καί δόξαν λαοῦ σοῦ Ἰσραήλ)

This expression means that the child will help the Gentiles to understand. Simeon compares Jesus’ role to that of a physical light that enables people to see solid objects. Alternate translation: [This child will enable the Gentiles to understand, just as light allows people to see things clearly and he will bring honor to the people of Israel, who belong to you]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

φῶς εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν καὶ δόξαν λαοῦ σου, Ἰσραήλ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Φῶς εἰς ἀποκάλυψιν ἐθνῶν καί δόξαν λαοῦ σοῦ Ἰσραήλ)

It may be helpful to state explicitly what the child will help the Gentiles to understand. Alternate translation: [This child will enable the Gentiles to understand what you expect of them and he will bring honor to the people of Israel, who belong to you]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.