Bible Strands
Luke 2:26
The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Simeon, a righteous and devout man in Jerusalem waiting for Israel’s consolation, receives a divine message while the Holy Spirit rests upon him. This occurs just as he is led by the Spirit into the temple courts to encounter the infant Jesus.
The words — κεχρηματισμένον (kechrēmatismenon) denotes a formal divine revelation or oracle, and πνεύματος (pneumatos) identifies the Holy Spirit as the agent of that disclosure.
The thread — The promise of not seeing death before seeing the Messiah parallels Jesus’ warning in Luke 9:27 and John 8:51, while the theme of bypassing death echoes Hebrews 11:5.
Why it lands — The text states that the Holy Spirit disclosed a specific timeline regarding death and the Messiah. This requires the reader to acknowledge that divine promises are fulfilled through Spirit-led revelation rather than human initiative.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Cross-references
- John 8:51 Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.”
- Luke 9:27 But I tell you truly, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
- Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
- Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
- Psalms 25:14 The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.
- John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
- Psalms 89:48 What man can live and never see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
- Acts 2:36 Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”
- Psalms 2:2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:
- Psalms 2:6 “I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”