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Mayaltho (Maa'ltho - Entry of our Lord into the temple)
Wesley's Notes [John Wesley (1703-1791)] on Luke 2:22-40
22. The days - The forty days prescribed, Lev. xii, 2, 4.
23. Exod. xiii, 2.
24. A pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons - This offering sufficed for the poor. Lev. xii, 8.
25. The consolation of Israel - A common phrase for the Messiah, who was to be the everlasting consolation of the Israel of God. The Holy Ghost was upon him - That is, he was a prophet.
27. By the Spirit - By a particular Revelation or impulse from him.
30. Thy salvation - Thy Christ, thy saviour.
32. And the glory of thy people Israel - For after the Gentiles are enlightened, all Israel shall be saved.
33. Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken - For they did not thoroughly understand them.
34. Simeon blessed them - Joseph and Mary. This child is set for the fall and rising again of many - That is, he will be a savour of death to some, to unbelievers: a savour of life to others, to believers: and for a sign which shall be spoken against - A sign from God, yet rejected of men: but the time for declaring this at large was not yet come: that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed - The event will be, that by means of that contradiction, the inmost thoughts of many, whether good or bad, will be made manifest.
35. A sword shall pierce through thy own soul - So it did, when he suffered: particularly at his crucifixion.
37. Fourscore and four years - These were the years of her life, not her widowhood only. Who departed not from the temple - Who attended there at all the stated hours of prayer. But served God with fastings and prayers - Even at that age. Night and day - That is, spending therein a considerable part of the night, as well as of the day.
38. To all that were waiting for redemption - The scepter now appeared to be departing from Judah, though it was not actually gone: Daniel's weeks were plainly near their period. And the revival of the spirit of prophecy, together with the memorable occurrences relating to the birth of John the Baptist, and of Jesus, could not but encourage and quicken the expectation of pious persons at this time. Let the example of these aged saints animate those, whose hoary heads, like theirs, are a crown of glory, being found in the way of righteousness. Let those venerable lips, so soon to be silent in the grave, be now employed in the praises of their Redeemer. Let them labour to leave those behind, to whom Christ will be as precious as he has been to them; and who will be waiting for God's salvation, when they are gone to enjoy it.
40. And the child grew - In bodily strength and stature; and waxed strong in spirit - The powers of his human mind daily improved; filled with wisdom - By the light of the indwelling Spirit, which gradually opened itself in his soul; and the grace of God was upon him - That is, the peculiar favour of God rested upon him, even as man.
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