Luke 2:34

“And Simeon blessed them, etc.] Pronounced them blessed persons, on account of their relation to Christ as man; and more especially, because of their interest in him, as the, Saviour and Redeemer of them; and wished them all happiness and prosperity inward and outward, temporal, spiritual, and eternal; and so the Arabic version renders it, confining it to Joseph and Mary; “and Simeon blessed them both”; though this blessing of his may take in also the young child Jesus; whom he might pronounce blessed, as Elizabeth before had done, (<420142>Luke 1:42) since he was the promised seed, in whom all nations of the earth should be blessed; and to whom, and to whose undertakings, interest, and…”

“set--appointed. fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against--Perhaps the former of these phrases expresses the two stages of temporary "fall of many in Israel" through unbelief, during our Lord's earthly career, and the subsequent "rising again" of the same persons after the effusion of the Spirit at pentecost threw a new light to them on the whole subject; while the latter clause describes the determined enemies of the Lord Jesus. Such opposite views of Christ are taken from age to age.”

“Simeon blessed them - Joseph and Mary. On them he sought the blessing of God. Is set - Is appointed or constituted for that, or such will be the effect of his coming. The fall - The word “fall” here denotes “misery, suffering, disappointment,” or “ruin.” There is a plain reference to the passage where it is said that he should be “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence,” Isaiah 8:14-15. Many expected a temporal prince, and in this they were disappointed. They loved darkness rather than light, and rejected him, and fell unto destruction. Many that were proud were brought low by his preaching. They fell from the vain and giddy height of their own self-righteousness, and were humbled before…”

“Simeon blessed them - Joseph and Mary. This child is set for the fall and rising again of many - That is, he will be a savour of death to some, to unbelievers: a savour of life to others, to believers: and for a sign which shall be spoken against - A sign from God, yet rejected of men: but the time for declaring this at large was not yet come: that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed - The event will be, that by means of that contradiction, the inmost thoughts of many, whether good or bad, will be made manifest. Luke 2:35”

“2:34 to cause many in Israel to fall: Many Israelites rejected Jesus as the Messiah (see Isa 8:14-15). • a sign from God: See Luke 11:29-30; cp. Isa 8:18.”

“blessed: Gen 14:19, Gen 47:7; Exo 39:43; Lev 9:22, Lev 9:23; Heb 7:1, Heb 7:7 set: Isa 8:14, Isa 8:15; Hos 14:9; Mat 21:44; Joh 3:20, Joh 9:29; Rom 9:32; Co1 1:23; Co2 2:15; Pe1 2:7 and rising: Act 2:36-41, Act 3:15-19, Act 6:7, 9:1-20 for a: Psa 22:6-8, Psa 69:9-12; Isa 8:18; Mat 11:19, Mat 26:65-67, Mat 27:40-45, Mat 27:63; Joh 5:18, Joh 8:48-52, Joh 9:24-28; Act 4:26, Act 13:45, Act 17:6, Act 24:5, Act 28:22; Co1 1:23; Heb 12:1-3; Pe1 4:14 Luke 2:35”