Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:
ο ητοιμασας κατα προσωπον παντων των λαων
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse
“My eyes have witnessed Your deliverance,” what is this? “Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,” not just one nation or solely Israel, but “in the presence of all peoples,” for He who was born is the Instructor of the entire creation.
This is the reason He took on human form, to bring salvation to the world and to reveal His incarnation to everyone.
It is declared that "for my eyes have seen Thy mercy, which Thou hast prepared before ... all nations" (Lk. 2:30-31), aligning with another passage that states, "all the Gentiles will ... expect it" (Is. 11:10). Indeed, "all the Gentiles shall wait for him" (Is. 11:10).
The salvation you have prepared for everyone is meant to be revealed to all people, not just to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.
The Sovereign of Israel, who exalted His chosen people through His incarnation, desires nothing further. With such tranquility, hope, and joy, the spirits of the righteous are liberated from the chains of the flesh.
In His infinite wisdom, God chose to extend the promise of salvation to the Gentile nations, initiating this fulfillment with the calling of the Magi. At the outset, this truth was concealed from the Apostles to honor the commitments made to Israel, primarily concerning the descendants of Abraham. The Jewish people were the first to receive this calling, which is why Simeon proclaimed that Jesus Christ is the glory of Israel, having been born according to the flesh from the royal lineage of Israel. However, St. John notes that the Divine Redeemer, upon coming to His own people, was not recognized by them. Consequently, due to their ungratefulness and lack of faith, God's grace shone more brightly upon the Gentiles, illuminating them with the light of life that had first illuminated the Jews.
To comply with both divine commandments, the Lord was presented by His parents at the temple. During this moment, remarkable occurrences unfolded, revealing to the humble parents the Christ the Lord in their child. At that time, there was a devout and righteous man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He had received a promise from the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before witnessing the Messiah of the Lord. Thus, the entirety of his spiritual life was filled with anticipation for the comfort of Israel, specifically the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah.
When the Child Jesus was brought into the temple by His parents to fulfill the required rituals, Simeon received a revelation from the Holy Spirit, who was upon him, affirming that his desire had been realized: he would behold the Savior in the Child present in the temple. Upon entering, he discovered everything exactly as revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. The divinely inspired elder lifted the child in his arms and offered a song of praise to God, expressing gratitude for being allowed to see the Savior of the world with his own eyes. In his heart, he experienced the fulfillment of the Word of God, recognizing simultaneously the conclusion of his earthly journey and the imminence of his departure from life. He declared that he could now leave the world with perfect serenity. He elaborated on the reason for this profound peace, stating that he had now witnessed the salvation predestined by God since ancient times. Simeon viewed this salvation as designated for all people, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles. To the Gentiles, this salvation would serve as a light for enlightenment. Moreover, arising from the chosen people, it would be the glory of Israel and magnify it in the sight of the entire world.
I have observed with my own eyes. He is not only blessed, but his gaze is uniquely set apart in blessing. Your salvation has been made ready in the presence of all people, so that the entirety of the earth may witness the deliverance of God (Psalms 97:3, in the presence - within sight). Moreover, it is not just for all to see, but for all to experience as well.
Once the ceremonial act had been completed for the child, Simeon gently cradled him in his frail and aged arms, offered praises to God, and delivered a profound declaration that has become a cherished hymn within the Christian community: “Now, said he, Thou dismissest Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace; for my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all nations, a light for the enlightenment of the nations, and the glory of Thy people Israel.”
"Set in view of all nations": with prophetic zeal, the elder reflects on the work of salvation that has already been fulfilled or is in the process of being fulfilled "in the sight" - indicating all the peoples of the earth, further defining (v. Lk. 2:31) the connection of this salvation to both Gentiles and Jews.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 7 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS