Bible Strands
Luke 2:35
so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Simeon addresses Mary at the temple presentation, immediately following his declaration that the Child will provoke division and opposition among Israel.
The words — ῥομφαία (rhomphaia) = sword and διελελεύσεται (dieleusetai) = will pierce, describing the violent penetration of inner life.
The thread — The motif of hidden intentions being exposed appears in Deuteronomy 8:2 and 1 Corinthians 11:19.
Why it lands — The text states that inner motives will be laid bare and that Mary will experience profound personal suffering, demanding acknowledgment of prophecy's cost without softening its impact.
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
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.
- 1 Corinthians 11:19 And indeed, there must be differences among you to show which of you are approved.
- Judges 5:15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar was with Barak, rushing into the valley at his heels. In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision.
- Psalms 42:10 Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
- Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “Only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.”
- Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
- John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
- John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.
- Acts 8:21 You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
- John 8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.