^2:34Then⁹⁸ Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully:⁹⁹ This child¹⁰⁰ is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising¹⁰¹ of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected.¹⁰²^2:35Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts¹⁰³ of many hearts will be revealed¹⁰⁴—and a sword¹⁰⁵ will pierce your own soul as well!”¹⁰⁶

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Footnotes

98 Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
99 Grk “behold.”
100 Grk “this one”; the referent (the child) is supplied in the translation for clarity.
101 The phrase the falling and rising of many emphasizes that Jesus will bring division in the nation, as some will be judged (falling) and others blessed (rising) because of how they respond to him. The language is like Isa 8:14–15 and conceptually like Isa 28:13–16. Here is the first hint that Jesus’ coming will be accompanied with some difficulties.
102 Grk “and for a sign of contradiction.”
103 Or “reasonings” (in a hostile sense). See G. Schrenk, 2:97.
104 The remark the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed shows that how people respond to Jesus indicates where their hearts really are before God.
105 A sword refers to a very large, broad two-edged sword. The language is figurative, picturing great pain. Though it refers in part to the cross, it really includes the pain all of Jesus’ ministry will cause, including the next event in Luke 2:41–52 and extending to the opposition he faced throughout his ministry.
106 This remark looks to be parenthetical and addressed to Mary alone, not the nation. Many modern English translations transpose this to make it the final clause in Simeon’s utterance as above to make this clear.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

NLTNew Living Translation

Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul also, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed!”

KJV 1900King James Version

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

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