And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

LUKE 2:26KJV
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Luke 2:26 (KJV)

What does Luke 2:26 mean?

Luke 2:26 says that the Holy Ghost had given Simeon a personal assurance: he would meet the one chosen by the Lord before his life ended. The promise makes Simeon’s later encounter with the infant Jesus more than a chance meeting.

After the description of Simeon in verse 25, Luke tells the reader something Simeon already knew. “See death” is a way of saying “die.” “The Lord’s Christ” identifies the person Simeon was waiting to see as the Lord’s chosen one.

The Greek behind Luke 2:26

  • “revealed” — χρηματίζω (chrēmatizō): The word can carry the sense of receiving a message from God. Here it points to knowledge given to Simeon by the Holy Ghost, rather than something Simeon worked out for himself.
  • “Christ” — χριστός (christos): The word means “anointed” or “chosen.” In the verse, “Christ” is a title for the person the Lord has chosen, not a family name.

Why Luke 2:26 matters

  • The promise concerns a meeting within Simeon’s lifetime. The words “before he had seen” set that encounter ahead of his death.
  • Luke’s account identifies the child Simeon meets as the one he had been promised. In verses 27–28, Simeon takes Jesus in his arms at the temple.
  • Simeon’s later words show why that meeting matters to him. In verses 29–30, he says he can depart in peace because his eyes have seen God’s salvation.

Where else these words appear

“revealed” Greek G5537 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Acts 10:22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
  • Hebrews 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

“before” Greek G4250 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 14:72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
  • John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

“death” Greek G2288 · used in 106 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
  • Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.