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Luke 2:32

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 2:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke 2:32 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
29Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace;
30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
32A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.
33And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him;
34and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;
35yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“A light to lighten the Gentiles, etc.] Or for the revelation of the Gentiles; to reveal the love, grace, and mercy of God, an everlasting righteousness, and the way of life and salvation to them. Reference seems to be had to (<234206>Isaiah 42:6 49:6). “Light”, is one of the names of the Messiah in the Old Testament, as in (<194303>Psalm 43:3) (<270222>Daniel 2:22), which passages are by the Jews f130 themselves interpreted of Christ; and is a name often used of him in the New Testament: it is true of him as God, he is light itself, and in him is no darkness at all; and as the Creator of mankind, he is that light which lightens every man with the light of nature and reason; and as the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A light to lighten the Gentiles - This is in accordance with the prophecies in the Old Testament, Isaiah 49:0; Isaiah 9:6-7; Psalms 98:3; Malachi 4:2. The Gentiles are represented as sitting in darkness that is, in ignorance and sin. Christ is a “light” to them, as by him they will be made acquainted with the character of the true God, his law, and the plan of redemption. As the darkness rolls away when the sun arises, so ignorance and error flee away when Jesus gives light to the mind. Nations shall come to his light, and kings to the brightness of his rising, Isaiah 60:3. And the glory ... - The first offer of salvation was made to the Jews, John 4:22; Luke 24:47. Jesus was born among the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the glory of thy people Israel - For after the Gentiles are enlightened, all Israel shall be saved. Luke 2:33”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:32 The prophet Isaiah predicted that the coming Kingdom of God would bring salvation to all the nations (Isa 42:6-7; 49:6). • the glory of your people Israel! This quote from Isa 46:13 says that God’s salvation will bring glory to Israel. Israel’s role in the Old Testament was to bring glory to God by revealing God’s light to the nations.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“light: Isa 9:2, Isa 42:6, Isa 42:7, Isa 49:6, Isa 60:1-3, Isa 60:19; Mat 4:16; Act 13:47, Act 13:48, Act 28:28; Rom 15:8, Rom 15:9 and: Psa 85:9; Isa 4:2, Isa 45:25, Isa 60:19; Jer 2:11; Zac 2:5; Co1 1:31; Rev 21:23 Luke 2:33”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification