This passage (or two passages) are very interesting. The shepherds tell their story far and wide, but we're left wondering about the people's response. And then there's the process with Jesus' parents and the legal rules they're following. And then there's Simeon, an enigma.
Read through the passage a few times, jotting down observations, questions, notes. Read it in a few different translations to see differences. Think through those differences and make more notes. After you have some notes and questions, only then look through commentaries (Blue Letter Bible app or site if you need some). Adjust your questions and notes accordingly. After you've done that, go back through with the questions below:
Luke 2:15-20
- The show is over, and all they know to look for is a baby in cloths lying in a feed trough. Why do you think that was enough?
- It is enough detail and they find the three. Luke doesn't say what the shepherds did while with Joseph and Mary, but what do you think they did? They had to have done one thing at least.
- The shepherds then tell everyone (and Bethlehem is crowded right now). The people who hear wonder, what do you think is significant about what Mary does? Keep in mind, Luke uses Mary's response as a 'contrast' to everyone else here.
- Who else from Bethlehem do you think came to see the three?
- In Matthew, we find none of this detail. We do in the case of John's circumcision in the previous chapter, except for one detail, the trip to Jerusalem. See what 'law' you can find that explains why they need to go Jerusalem and why.
- What laws of purification are 'they' following? See what you can find, again.
- Why do you think it is so important for Luke to include these details? What point do you think he's trying to make with his readers?
- Read verse 23 in several versions. What is Simeon waiting for? What do you think that means?
- How old do you think Simeon is? We always think he's old, but it never actually says that. So how old do you think he was?
- The Holy Spirit is 'on' Simeon. Considering the infrequency of such qualities in the Old Testament, what purpose do you think the Holy Spirit has for him?
- So how do you imagine Simeon 'receives' the baby? What does that look like as you imagine it? How do you imagine Joseph and Mary responding?
- What do you think of Simeon's 'song'? It begins with, "Now dismiss" and in Latin it's 'Nunc Dimitis' which is used in Catholic and Protestant liturgical worship.
- What do you think is going on in Simeon's mind and heart?
- Joseph and Mary witness this 'song' by Simeon. What do you think they think?
- After this brief musical interlude, Simeon has some things to say to Mary. Why do you think Mary specifically?
- In his song, Simeon says that Jesus will illuminate the glory of Israel, but to Mary he says that he is appointed for the 'falling and rising of many'. How do you think these ideas might be connected, or do you think they are?
- You are told that your new-born son will be "a sign to be opposed", what do you feel? What emotions (gut response) do you have in response?
- Oh, and by the way, a sword will pierce your soul too. He just a bearer of great news isn't he? What do you think he meant by that remark?
- So, does the sword through Mary's soul reveal the thoughts of many hearts, or does the sign to be opposed reveal those thoughts, and a sword pierces Mary too? Look around at different translations. What do you think that all means?
- What does this comment tell you about Luke's perspective of Mary as he writes?
- Why do you think he seems to know her so well?
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