Luke 2:32Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why is there light? Because the nations were enveloped in darkness, and He brought illumination to those tribes shrouded in gloom. 'Light to the illumination of the Gentiles, and glory to Your people Israel.' Here we see glory, and there is revelation; there is the inception of teaching, and here follows the continued instruction. 'The glory of Your people Israel.' Yet, some may question, 'Where are the Israelites? We see Peter, Paul, and John; we note ‘three thousand men’ (Acts 2:41) and ‘five thousand men’ (Acts 4:4), along with the church in Jerusalem and those who believed among the Jews,' for indeed, this people was among the believers. 'If the Lord of hosts had not left us a remnant, we would have become like Sodom, similar to Gomorrah' (Is. 1:9).

When he says Lord, he confesses that He is the very Lord of both life and death, and so acknowledges the Child whom he held in his arms to be God.

But Christ was the mystery which has been revealed in the last times of the world, having been prepared before the foundation of the world. Hence it follows, which thou hast prepared before the face of all men.

If you examine the words of the righteous, you will find that they all sorrow over this world and its mournful delay. Alas me! says David, that my habitation is prolonged. (Ps. 120:5.)

For since Christ has destroyed the enemy, which is sin, and has reconciled us to the Father, the removal of saints has been in peace.

That is to say, the salvation wrought by Christ for the whole world. How then was it said above that he was watching for the consolation of Israel, but because he truly perceived in the spirit that consolation would be to Israel at that time when salvation was prepared for all people.

Observe then that this just man, confined as it were in the prison house of his earthly frame, is longing to be loosed, that he may again be with Christ. (Phil. 1:23.) But whoso would be cleansed, let him come into the temple;—into Jerusalem: let him wait for the Lord’s Christ, let him receive in his hands the word of God, and embrace it as it were with the arms of his faith. Then let him depart that he might not see death who has seen life.

Light for the enlightenment of the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel. This Light, the true Light, as He is known, serves to reveal the Gentiles, unearthing their desires and uncovering the forces of darkness. ‘And the glory of Your people Israel,’ this New Covenant, clearly reflects His glory through the relinquishment of unnatural evil, the embrace of natural good, and the attainment of the supernatural good, which can also be understood as virtue, wisdom, and divine sonship. It is a light for the understanding of the Gentiles, who are misled by ignorance. For he refers to this calling as revelation. It brings honor and praise to the people of Israel, as it is indeed glorious that He chose to emerge from them in human form. Through His genuinely redemptive incarnation, both the Gentiles received enlightenment through the illumination of divine knowledge and virtue, and the Jews were honored by His willingness to become one of their own.

If we marvel to hear that a woman was healed by touching the hem of a garment, what must we think of Simeon, who received an Infant in his arms, and rejoiced seeing that the little one he carried was He who had come to let loose the captive! Knowing that no one could release him from the chains of the body with the hope of future life, but He whom he held in his arms. Therefore it is said, And he blessed God, saying, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart.

The Sovereign of Israel, who exalted His beloved people through His incarnation, desires nothing more. The souls of the virtuous are liberated from the shackles of the body with such tranquility, expectation, and delight!

Simeon blessed God also, because the promises made to him had received their true fulfilment. For He was reckoned worthy to see with his eyes, and to carry in his arms the consolation of Israel. And therefore he says, According to thy word, i. e. since I have obtained the completion of thy promises. And now that I have seen with my eyes what was my desire to see, now lettest thou thy servant depart, neither dismayed at the taste of death, nor harassed with doubting thoughts: as he adds, in peace.

And well is the enlightening of the Gentiles put before the glory of Israel, because when the fulness of the Gentiles shall have come in, then shall Israel be safe. (Rom 11:26.)

To satisfy the requirements of both the law and the prophetic traditions, the Lord was presented in the temple by His parents. During this significant moment, remarkable occurrences unfolded, through which God manifested Christ the Lord to the humble parents in the form of their child. At that time, there was a devout and righteous man named Simeon residing in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had assured him that he would not experience death until he had witnessed the Messiah, thus his spirit's entire focus was on the fulfillment of Israel's hope—namely, the advent of the promised Savior.

It serves as illumination for revelation, understanding, and proclamation. Until now, the shadows of ignorance and the bleakness of falsehood enveloped the world of the Gentiles. Henceforth, this world will journey in the light of Christ's doctrine. This salvation reflects the splendor of Your people, Israel. For the law will emerge from Zion, and the word of the Lord will be declared from Jerusalem. The glory of Israel will be magnificent when all nations gather to embrace its teachings and inherit its promises, thereby becoming the spiritual Israel.

Once the ceremonial observance for the child was completed, Simeon, despite his old age and frailty, embraced him and offered praise to God. He then delivered a profound proclamation that has resonated through the Christian community: "Now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant in peace, as You have promised; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel."

This deliverance or Redeemer represents the ‘light’ that brings illumination to the nations and the honor of God's chosen people. It emerged from Israel and spread to the nations (John 4:22), eventually returning to Israel in due time (Rom. 11:25-36), much like the sun which completes its cycle (Eccl. 1:5), rising from the east to light the world and circling back to its origin. ‘Light’: refer to the commentary on Lk. 1:78-79. - ‘And glory’: the exaltation of the people. Throughout the entire history of the Jewish people, the preparation of this salvation for humanity and its realization within them serves as the ultimate honor for this nation for all generations.