Simeonova slova v Lk 2,35a

The purpose of the paper “The Words of Simeon in Luke 2:35a” is to, on the one hand, present an overview of various interpretations of the text Luke 2:35a which have been proposed from the earliest times up to the present with brief evaluations concerning them, and to, on the other hand, provide our own analysis of the text. In order to reach a proper understanding of the enigmatic words of Simeon concerning the personal fate of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Luke 2:35a, the micro-context (immediate context) which forms the prophetic pronouncement of Simeon about Jesus (Luke 2:34b-c.35b) and the macro-context (wider context) which constitutes the entire Lucan double work (Luke – Acts) both are of assistance. The utterance in Luke 2:35a in connection with the formulation in Luke 2,34b can point first and foremost to the journey of Mary’s faith in her relationship to her son (cf. Luke 8:21; 11:28) as part of which she will have to accept the fact that the connection of Jesus to his heavenly Father has a precedence over all his earthly bonds (Luke 2:48-50). In contrast, however, the words of Simeon in Luke 2:35a in connection with the formulation in Luke 2:34c may also have something to say concerning the close connection between Mary and the destiny of her son, who will encounter rejection both during his public ministry (cf. Luke 4:28-30) and also after his resurrection as part of the missionary activity of the Church (cf. Acts 13:46; 18:6; 28:28).