And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. (Luke 2:25)
This expression was part of a common Jewish prayer formula: “May I see the consolation of Israel,” meaning, “May I live to see the Messiah.” The expression “consolation of Israel” reflects various OT Messianic prophecies that speak of the “comfort” of the Messianic hope (see Isa. 12:1; 40:1; 49:13; 51:3; 61:2; 66:13; etc.).
Waiting.
Simeon apparently belonged to the group of humble and devout searchers of the Scriptures, such as Zacharias and Elizabeth (ch. 1:6, 67), Joseph (Matt. 1:19), Mary (Luke 1:28), the shepherds (DA 47), Anna (Luke 2:37), the wise men (Matt. 2:11; DA 59), Joseph of Arimathaea (Mark 15:43), and a few others (2:38). It was to these faithful ones who were looking for the Messiah that Heaven made known the appearance of the Messiah (cf. Heb. 9:28). It is our privilege today to look for “that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Just and devout.
Simeon was “devout,” or pious at heart, in respect to his duties toward God, and “just” in his conduct toward his fellow men (see on Micah 6:8; Matt. 22:36-40).
Simeon.
A tradition that identifies this aged saint with Rabbi Simeon, son of Hillel and father of Gamaliel, is groundless. Rabbi Simeon became president of the Sanhedrin in A.D. 13, some 17 or 18 years after the birth of Jesus. But the Simeon of Luke 2 was obviously already aged (vs. 26, 29), as implied by the fact that he was given the assurance that he would live to see the Messiah.