LUKE 2:25 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Now listen, there was a man named Simeon in Yerushalem and he was godly and committed, waiting for God to rescue Yisrael. He was full of the holy spirit

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

UST At that time there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. He did what was pleasing to God and obeyed God’s laws. He was eagerly waiting for God to send the Messiah to encourage the people of Israel. The Holy Spirit was directing him.

BSB Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, [who] [was] righteous and devout. He was waiting for [the] consolation of Israel, and [the] Holy Spirit was upon him.

MSB Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, [who] [was] righteous and devout. He was waiting for [the] consolation of Israel, and [the] Holy Spirit was upon him.

BLB And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

AICNT And [behold,][fn] there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

2:25, behold: Absent from D(05).

OEB There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who lived in constant expectation of Israel’s consulation, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

WEBBE Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout, looking for the restoration of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

LSV And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name [is] Simeon, and this man is righteous and devout, looking for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him,

FBV Living in Jerusalem at that time was a man called Simeon. Simeon did what was good and was very devout. He was waiting expectantly for the hope of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

TCNT And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

T4T At that time there was an old man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. He habitually did what was pleasing to God and he obeyed God’s laws. The Holy Spirit was directing him as he was waiting for God [MTY] to encourage the Israeli people by sending the Messiah.

LEB ¶ And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem _⌊whose name was_⌋[fn] Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

2:25 Literally “to whom the name”

BBE And there was then in Jerusalem a man whose name was Simeon; and he was an upright man, fearing God and waiting for the comfort of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was on him.

Moff Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Symeon, an upright and devout man, who was on the outlook for the Consolation of Israel. The holy Spirit was upon him;

Wymth Now there was a man in Jerusalem of the name of Symeon, an upright and God-fearing man, who was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

ASV And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

DRA And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.

YLT And lo, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [is] Simeon, and this man is righteous and devout, looking for the comforting of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him,

Drby And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was just and pious, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and [the] Holy Spirit was upon him.

RV And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
(And behold, there was a man in Yerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. )

SLT And, behold, a man was in Jerusalem, the name to him Simeon; and this man just and cautious, waiting the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Wbstr And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

KJB-1769 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
(And, behold, there was a man in Yerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. )

KJB-1611 And behold, there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon, and the same man was iust and deuout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the holy Ghost was vpon him.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps And beholde, there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon: and the same man was iust and godlye, and loked for the consolation of Israel, and the holy ghost was vpon hym.
(And behold, there was a man in Yerusalem, whose name was Simeon: and the same man was just and godlye, and looked for the consolation of Israel, and the holy ghost was upon him.)

Gnva And behold, there was a man in Hierusalem, whose name was Simeon: this man was iust, and feared God, and waited for the consolation of Israel, and the holy Ghost was vpon him.
(And behold, there was a man in Yerusalem, whose name was Simeon: this man was just, and feared God, and waited for the consolation of Israel, and the holy Ghost was upon him. )

Cvdl And beholde, there was a man (at Ierusale) whose name was Symeon, and the same ma was iust, and feared God, and loged for the consolacion of Israel, and the holy goost was in him.
(And behold, there was a man (at Yerusalem) whose name was Symeon, and the same man was just, and feared God, and loged for the consolation of Israel, and the holy ghost was in him.)

TNT And beholde ther was a man in Hierusalem whose name was Simeon. And the same man was iuste and feared God and longed for the consolacion of Israel and the holy goost was in him.
(And behold there was a man in Yerusalem whose name was Simeon. And the same man was just and feared God and longed for the consolation of Israel and the holy ghost was in him. )

Wycl And lo! a man was in Jerusalem, whos name was Symeon; and this man was iust and vertuous, and aboode the coumfort of Israel; and the Hooli Goost was in hym.
(And lo! a man was in Yerusalem, whose name was Symeon; and this man was just and power/strengthous, and abode/stayede the comfort of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.)

Luth Und siehe, ein Mensch war zu Jerusalem mit Namen Simeon; und derselbe Mensch war fromm und gottesfürchtig und wartete auf den Trost Israels; und der Heilige Geist war in ihm.
(And see/look, a person what/which to/for Yerusalem with name(s) Simeon; and same person what/which pious/devout and God-fearing and waited on/in/to the consolation/comfort Israels; and the/of_the saints spirit what/which in him.)

ClVg Et ecce homo erat in Jerusalem, cui nomen Simeon, et homo iste justus, et timoratus, exspectans consolationem Israël: et Spiritus Sanctus erat in eo.[fn]
(And behold human was in/into/on Yerusalem, to_whom name Simeon, and human this just, and fearatus, waitns consolation Israel: and Holy Spirit was in/into/on by_him. )

2.25 Et ecce homo. Non solum angeli, sed omnis ætas et sexus testimonium nato reddunt puero. Et sicut ab omnium sæculorum fidelibus præsagiebatur, ita veniens omnium sanctorum laude prædicatur.

2.25 And behold human. Not/No only messengers/angels, but everyone ætas and six testimony nato they_return to_a_boy. And like away of_all of_the_ages to_the_faithful beforesagiebatur, so/thus coming of_all holy_place praise is_preached.

UGNT καὶ ἰδοὺ, ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ, ᾧ ὄνομα Συμεών; καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος δίκαιος καὶ εὐλαβής, προσδεχόμενος παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, καὶ Πνεῦμα ἦν Ἅγιον ἐπ’ αὐτόν.
(kai idou, anthrōpos aʸn en Ierousalaʸm, hō onoma Sumeōn; kai ho anthrōpos houtos dikaios kai eulabaʸs, prosdeⱪomenos paraklaʸsin tou Israaʸl, kai Pneuma aʸn Hagion ep’ auton.)

SBL-GNT Καὶ ἰδοὺ ⸂ἄνθρωπος ἦν⸃ ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ ᾧ ὄνομα Συμεών, καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος δίκαιος καὶ εὐλαβής, προσδεχόμενος παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, καὶ πνεῦμα ἦν ἅγιον ἐπʼ αὐτόν·
(Kai idou ⸂anthrōpos aʸn⸃ en Ierousalaʸm hō onoma Sumeōn, kai ho anthrōpos houtos dikaios kai eulabaʸs, prosdeⱪomenos paraklaʸsin tou Israaʸl, kai pneuma aʸn hagion epʼ auton;)

RP-GNT Καὶ ἰδού, ἦν ἄνθρωπος ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, ᾧ ὄνομα Συμεών, καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος δίκαιος καὶ εὐλαβής, προσδεχόμενος παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, καὶ πνεῦμα ἦν ἅγιον ἐπ' αὐτόν.
(Kai idou, aʸn anthrōpos en Hierousalaʸm, hō onoma Sumeōn, kai ho anthrōpos houtos dikaios kai eulabaʸs, prosdeⱪomenos paraklaʸsin tou Israaʸl, kai pneuma aʸn hagion ep' auton.)

TC-GNT Καὶ ἰδού, [fn]ἦν ἄνθρωπος ἐν [fn]Ἱερουσαλήμ, ᾧ ὄνομα [fn]Συμεών, καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος δίκαιος καὶ εὐλαβής, προσδεχόμενος παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, καὶ Πνεῦμα [fn]ἦν Ἅγιον ἐπ᾽ αὐτόν.
(Kai idou, aʸn anthrōpos en Hierousalaʸm, hō onoma Sumeōn, kai ho anthrōpos houtos dikaios kai eulabaʸs, prosdeⱪomenos paraklaʸsin tou Israaʸl, kai Pneuma aʸn Hagion ep auton. )

2:25 ην ανθρωπος ¦ ανθρωπος ην CT

2:25 ιερουσαλημ ¦ ιεροσολυμοις ANT

2:25 συμεων ¦ σιμεων SCR

2:25 ην αγιον ¦ αγιον ην TR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN 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)

2:25a

Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon,

¶ At that time a man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem.
¶ In the city of Jerusalem there was a man whose name was Simeon.

Now there was: In this context the Greek phraseThis Greek phrase is kai idou. It occurs twenty-six times in Luke at 1:20, 1:31, 1:36, 2:25, 5:12, 5:18, 7:12, 7:37, 8:41, 9:30, 9:38, 9:39, 10:25, 11:31, 11:32, 11:41, 13:11, 13:30, 14:2, 19:2, 23:14, 23:15, 23:50, 24:4, 24:13, and 24:49. that the BSB translates as Now introduces background information about a new person in the story. You should introduce this background information in a natural way in your language. Some ways to do this in English are:

At that time (GNT)

There was at that time (REB)

In Jerusalem lived (NCV)

2:25b

who was righteous and devout.

He was a righteous/moral man and careful to follow God.
He did what God said was good, and he was faithful to God.

righteous: The Greek word that the BSB translates here as righteous means “morally good.” It refers to a person who does what pleases God, that is, what is right according to God’s standards. Some other ways to translate righteous are:

He was a good man

He lived right

He lived in a way that pleased God

He obeyed God’s law

The same Greek word that the BSB translates here as righteous was also used in 1:6a.

devout: The Greek word that the BSB translates as devout refers to a person who has great reverence for God. He respects God, so he is careful to do what God requires. Some other ways to translate this word are:

careful to follow God

sincere in serving God

faithful to God

2:25c

He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,

He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel. (GW)
He longed to see the Christ who would comfort the people of Israel,

waiting: In this context, the word waiting indicates that Simeon was waiting for, expecting, and looking forward to something. God had promised to send a Savior. Simeon was waiting and hoping for the Savior to come.

the consolation of Israel: The Greek word that the BSB translates here as consolation may also be translated as “comfort.”The Greek word here is paraklēsis. The root of this word is the same as the root of the word that has traditionally been translated as “the Comforter” in John 14–16. The phrase the consolation of Israel refers here specifically to the Messiah, who would comfort God’s people Israel. God had promised to send the Messiah to comfort them.

Some ways to translate the consolation of Israel in this context are:

Translate consolation in a general way with a word such as “comfort” or “salvation.” For example:
living in expectation of the “salvation of Israel” (JBP)
Translate consolation by referring more specifically to the Messiah. For example:
waiting for the one who would comfort Israel (GW)
eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel (NLT)

2:25d

and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

The Holy Spirit was with him.
and God’s Spirit guided him.

the Holy Spirit was upon him: The Holy Spirit was with Simeon. He was guiding him and showing him what God planned to do.

Holy Spirit: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as Holy Spirit refers to the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is God, together with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is Spirit in the sense that he is a living being who does not have a physical body. He is Holy in the sense that he is divine. He is perfect in every way and is completely pure and sinless. Because of these qualities, he is worthy of awe.

Some other ways to translate Holy Spirit are:

Spirit/Breath of God

God’s Spirit

Sacred Spirit

The Holy Spirit is not a ghost of a dead person. Your translation should not imply this or that God has died.

This term also occurs in 1:15c. Translate it the same way in both places. See holy, sense A2, in KBT.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἰδοὺ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἰδού ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ ᾧ ὄνομα Συμεών καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος δίκαιος καί εὐλαβής προσδεχόμενος παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ καί Πνεῦμα ἦν Ἅγιον ἐπʼ αὐτόν)

Luke uses the term behold to call the reader’s attention to what he is about to say. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use here.

Note 2 topic: writing-participants

ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ, ᾧ ὄνομα Συμεών

˓a˒_man was in man (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἰδού ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ ᾧ ὄνομα Συμεών καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος δίκαιος καί εὐλαβής προσδεχόμενος παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ καί Πνεῦμα ἦν Ἅγιον ἐπʼ αὐτόν)

Luke uses this phrase to introduce a new character into the story. If your language has its own way of doing that, you could use it here in your translation.

Note 3 topic: translate-names

Συμεών

Simeon_‹was›

Simeon is the name of a man.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος δίκαιος καὶ εὐλαβής

¬the man this_‹was› righteous (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἰδού ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ ᾧ ὄνομα Συμεών καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος δίκαιος καί εὐλαβής προσδεχόμενος παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ καί Πνεῦμα ἦν Ἅγιον ἐπʼ αὐτόν)

The terms righteous and devout mean similar things. Luke uses the two terms together to emphasize what a godly man Simeon was. If it would be helpful in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: [he was a godly man]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

προσδεχόμενος

waiting_for

This is an idiomatic usage of the term waiting. It does not mean passively waiting for something to happen, but eagerly anticipating something that someone wants to happen. Alternate translation: [eagerly anticipating] or [looking forward to]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ

˓the˒_comfort ¬the ˱of˲_Israel

This phrase refers by association to the one who would bring consolation, meaning “comfort,” to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: [the one who would come and comfort the people of Israel] or [the one who would come to help the people of Israel]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ

˓the˒_comfort ¬the ˱of˲_Israel

Luke assumes that readers will know that this is a reference to the Messiah. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: [the Messiah, who would come to help the people of Israel]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

τοῦ Ἰσραήλ

¬the ˱of˲_Israel

Luke is referring to all of the Israelites as if they were a single person, their ancestor, Israel. Alternate translation: [of the people of Israel]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

Πνεῦμα ἦν Ἅγιον ἐπ’ αὐτόν

˓the˒_Spirit was Holy on him

The word upon creates a spatial metaphor that means that the Spirit of God was with Simeon in a special way. The Spirit gave him knowledge and direction for his life, as the next two verses show. Alternate translation: [the Holy Spirit guided him in special ways]

Parallel LUKE 2:25

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

2:25a

2:25b

2:25c

2:25d