Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

LUKE 2:29KJV
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Luke 2:29 (KJV)

What does Luke 2:29 mean?

Luke 2:29 records Simeon’s words to God after he has seen the child Jesus. Simeon understands that God has kept his promise, and he speaks as a servant who can now be released from his watch with a peaceful heart.

Simeon speaks while holding Jesus in the temple. Earlier, God had made known to him that he would not die before seeing the promised deliverer, so “depart in peace” is often understood as a reference to his approaching death.

The Greek behind Luke 2:29

  • “Lord” — δεσπότης (despotēs): This word addresses a master or one with authority. Alongside “servant,” it presents Simeon as someone who belongs to the one he addresses.
  • “lettest thou thy servant depart” — ἀπολύω (apolyō): This word can mean to release or let someone go. It gives Simeon’s departure the picture of a servant being freed from duty.
  • “word” — ῥῆμα (rhēma): This word can refer to something spoken. Here, “according to thy word” points back to what God had made known to Simeon.

Why Luke 2:29 matters

  • Simeon’s response is tied to seeing Jesus, not simply to reaching old age. In the next verse, he says, “mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”
  • Simeon sees a purpose beyond himself in the child he holds. He goes on to speak of light for the Gentiles and glory for God’s people Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Lord” Greek G1203 · used in 10 verses

  • Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
  • 2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
  • 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

“thou” Greek G630 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Mark 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
  • Luke 23:22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

“word” Greek G4487 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 20:26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
  • Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

“peace” Greek G1515 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
  • Romans 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
  • Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.