Luke 2:34 (YLT)

Passage

and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, `Lo, this <FI>one<Fi> is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against--

Nearby Context

Luke 2:32 a light to the uncovering of nations, and the glory of Thy people Israel.'

Luke 2:33 And Joseph and his mother were wondering at the things spoken concerning him,

Luke 2:34 and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, `Lo, this <FI>one<Fi> is set for the falling and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against--

Luke 2:35 (and also thine own soul shall a sword pass through) --that the reasonings of many hearts may be revealed.'

Luke 2:36 And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she was much advanced in days, having lived with an husband seven years from her virginity,

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "simeon", "blessed", "said", "mary", "mother", "falling", "rising", and "again". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "simeon" and "blessed", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 33's "And Joseph and his mother were wondering..." into verse 35's "and also thine own soul shall a...", so "simeon" and "blessed" belong inside that flow. In Luke context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "simeon" and "blessed" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.