Luke 2:35
What does Luke 2:35 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 2:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 2:35 means
Continuing his prophecy to Mary, Simeon declared, "yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." This foretold Mary's deep personal suffering, specifically alluding to the pain she would experience witnessing her Son's rejection and crucifixion. This painful revelation would also serve a divine purpose: to expose the true intentions and beliefs hidden within the hearts of humanity, revealing their attitudes toward Jesus.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949(And a sword will go through your heart;) so that the secret thoughts of men may come to light.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862(and also thine own soul shall a sword pass through) --that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890(and even a sword shall go through thine own soul;) so that [the] thoughts may be revealed from many hearts.
Context
This verse continues Simeon's prophecy to Mary, specifically foretelling her personal suffering. It directly follows the revelation that Jesus would be a divisive figure. This intense, intimate prophecy about Mary's soul provides a poignant and sobering counterpoint to the earlier joy, foreshadowing the difficult road ahead for both mother and Son, and also hints at the revealing nature of Jesus' ministry.
v.34and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;
v.35This passage
v.36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 19:25
These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
- 1 Corinthians 11:19
For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you.
- 1 John 2:19
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.
- Deuteronomy 8:2
And thou shalt remember all the way which Jehovah thy God hath led thee these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble thee, to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or not.
- Acts 8:21
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God.
- John 15:22
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.
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