Luke 2:33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Joseph and Mary exalt what has been spoken; the angel proclaimed, the Magi recognized, the shepherds heeded, the multitude of angels celebrated, the star above guided, Simeon foretold, and Anna, daughter of Phanuel, shared her prophecy. The earth rejoiced, while heaven announced through the star. The Magi defied the oppressor, and the shepherds honored the Great Shepherd. Everyone was aware; the Mother was aware, Joseph listened, and they quaked at these events, grasping the significance of what had transpired.

They were astonished, not merely due to the knowledge they had just acquired about Him, but because they had also received even more extraordinary revelations beyond what they had previously understood.

Joseph and the Blessed Virgin were astonished by Simeon's proclamation concerning the everlasting Child, not due to any lack of understanding about His role as the Redeemer of humanity, but stemming from their profound humility and their profound awe for God, who had bestowed upon the Virgin Mary the privilege of being the mother of such a Son, and Joseph the responsibility of being His guardian.

Joseph is referred to as the father of Jesus Christ, in part due to his role as the betrothed of the Virgin Mary, which gives him a more rightful claim to this title than those who have been called fathers of children they adopted in previous times. Additionally, the general sentiment of the people honored him as Jesus' father, as the time had not yet arrived to unveil the profound mystery of the miraculous incarnation of the Son of God within the pure womb of the Holy Virgin. Both Mary and Joseph were astonished by the words spoken of Jesus. Yet, what mere human expression could astonish this woman, who is blessed among all women and to whom the angel fully communicated the essence of the Word’s incarnation?

Joseph and Mary were astonished as they listened to Simeon, surprised that this elder from Jerusalem spoke with such insight about their child—knowledge that they believed was known only to them.

Joseph and Mary were filled with amazement at all they heard. Then Simeon looked at them and offered a blessing, speaking profound words to the Virgin, the meaning of which she would grasp more fully in the future. “Look,” he said, indicating the Child, “this one is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and a source of contention. And a sword will pierce your own soul as well, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be uncovered.”

"Marvelled": Mary and Joseph found no surprising elements in the holy elder's song that they hadn't encountered in prior revelations; rather, it was the clearer articulation of the universality of Christ's saving mission that would encompass all humanity, both Jewish and Gentile. They were astonished at Simeon's remarks concerning the child, as, perhaps to their surprise, they recognized that individuals everywhere were being shown the profound mystery surrounding this child, the extraordinary intention of God, and the magnitude of the work destined to be fulfilled through Him.

The declarations of the elderly man, which highlighted the celestial grandeur of the Divine Child and recognized Him as the Sovereign of life and death, were astounding. Joseph and Mary were astonished to discover that the divine mystery had already been disclosed to the righteous Simeon. Nevertheless, as he returned Jesus to His mother, the prophet elaborated with even greater clarity on what her divine Son would represent for the people of Israel, revealing the deep sorrows and trials that would come upon her.