Luke 2:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He stayed in the temple, reflecting on these words: ‘Regardless of where He was born, He will undoubtedly come here.’ This aged man was ‘moved by the Spirit to come to the temple’ at the moment ‘when the parents brought the Child.’ Though he frequently visited for his own concerns, it was the Holy Spirit that led him on this occasion, enabling the fulfillment of what had been promised to him.

The prophet Isaiah proclaims, "Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news" (Isaiah 52:7). What greater source of genuine joy could there be than the realization that through the Son becoming the mediator and taking on our human nature, God has brought salvation to the heavenly realms? Indeed, it is affirmed that there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who offered Himself for the redemption of all (1 Tim. 2:5-6). He willingly descended into our destitution so that we might be enriched by possessing what is uniquely His (2 Cor. 8:9). Observe how He is presented to the Father, appearing as one of us, adhering to the precepts of the law, and even performing sacrifices as per the traditions, aided by His Mother.

"Now you let your servant depart," declares Simeon. The righteous individual, akin to one confined by the weight of earthly struggles, yearns to be released from them and united with Christ, for being freed and in the presence of Christ is vastly superior (Phil. 1:23). Anyone seeking liberation should come to the temple, make their way to Jerusalem, await the Lord Christ, take the Word of God into their arms, and embrace it with the hands of faith; in doing so, they will experience true freedom, and having witnessed life, they will never encounter death (see Luke 2:27-30).

And he arrived at the temple by divine inspiration, guided by the Holy Spirit.

At the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the devout elder arrived at the temple precisely when the Blessed Mary and Joseph presented Jesus. In this moment, he encounters the Savior of mankind, which is why the feast instituted by the Church to honor this occasion is referred to as the Purification of the Lord. It is also known as the Presentation of the Lord.

Anna and Simeon, an elderly couple, encountered the Lord through their devoted service and profound faith. Despite His infancy, they recognized His divine greatness. Symbolically, they embody the Jewish synagogue, fatigued from the lengthy anticipation of His coming. They come forth to glorify Him through their sincere actions and heartfelt declarations of faith, proclaiming, Guide me in Thy truth and teach me, since Thou art God my Saviour, and I have hoped in Thee all the day long (Ps 24:5).

He was divinely inspired to enter the temple. Simeon, a man of righteousness and reverence for God, filled with the Holy Spirit, was moved by Him at that moment.

To fulfill the requirements of both divine laws, the Lord was presented in the temple by his parents. During this event, remarkable occurrences unfolded, through which God disclosed to the humble parents the presence of Christ the Lord in their child. At that time, a righteous and devout man named Simeon resided in Jerusalem. The Spirit of God had assured him that he would not see death before encountering the Lord's Christ, leading to a deep yearning within him for the consolation of Israel, specifically the arrival of the promised Messiah. When the Child Jesus was brought into the temple for the ceremonial rites, Simeon received a revelation from the Holy Spirit, confirming that his desire had been met, and that his eyes would behold the Savior in the child present there.

In the final years of his life, he devoted himself almost entirely to the temple and its outer court, where he persistently prayed for the swift realization of the promise bestowed upon him. Suddenly, the Blessed Virgin entered the temple accompanied by her divine Son. Upon witnessing this Holy Child, the God-inspired spirit of the righteous elder was filled with joy. Through his prophetic insight, he recognized that this was the comfort of Israel, the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

Through divine inspiration: by a unique and intentional enlightenment from the Holy Spirit, who revealed to him that he would witness the realization of what had been prophesied. - Into the temple: into the area of the temple where the altar for burnt offerings was located, a site for sacrifices, often utilized by women after their days of purification and likely during the dedication of the firstborn to the Lord, or their presentation before Him. This took place in what is commonly referred to as the court of the women (see note on Matthew 21:12).