What is the meaning of Luke 2:35?

[AaronsStaff]

I have never been entirely sure about the meaning of this passage, on what Simeon’s prophecy regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary is.

I quote from the New Jerusalem Bible

Luke 2:35 “and a sword will pierce your soul too- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.”

What is Simeon telling the Blessed Virgin Mary, and how is this prophecy fulfilled?

 

[Catholic_Dude]

I have never been entirely sure about the meaning of this passage, on what Simeon’s prophecy regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary is.

I quote from the New Jerusalem Bible

Luke 2:35 “and a sword will pierce your soul too- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.”

What is Simeon telling the Blessed Virgin Mary, and how is this prophecy fulfilled?

I always understood it to mean that Mary would suffer great pains seeing Her Son upon the cross and dead.

As for the “secret thoughts of many may be laid bare”, Im not sure but would guess it plays into Her intercessional role as “Our Mother”.

 

[LilyM]

I think ‘the secret thoughts of many will be laid bare’ might refer to the fact that peoples’ attitudes to Mary are something of a barometer of their attitudes to Jesus.

Those who love Him most are, I think, alongside the woman in the Gospels, more than willing to say ‘blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’

 

[AaronsStaff]

As for the “secret thoughts of many may be laid bare”, Im not sure but would guess it plays into Her intercessional role as “Our Mother”.

Yeah, I was thinking that was the case as well. It does not appear that that statement could have any other meaning.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

I think ‘the secret thoughts of many will be laid bare’ might refer to the fact that peoples’ attitudes to Mary are something of a barometer of their attitudes to Jesus.

Those who love Him most are, I think, alongside the woman in the Gospels, more than willing to say ‘blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’

Interesting!

 

[Jimdandy]

Luke 2:35 “and a sword will pierce your soul too- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.”

As Our Mother offered up to God her pain and suffering at the Crucifixion of Her Son-she in effect joined in the Redemption and now hears our petitions to pray to her Son for us.

 

[jcrichton]

I have never been entirely sure about the meaning of this passage, on what Simeon’s prophecy regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary is.

I quote from the New Jerusalem Bible

Luke 2:35 “and a sword will pierce your soul too- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.”

What is Simeon telling the Blessed Virgin Mary, and how is this prophecy fulfilled?

Hi, Aaron’s Staff!

I’ve always thought that Simeon was prophesying about Jesus’ Passion and Death (sword that pierces the Virgin Mary’s heart) and that through this the desire of the religious elite, who for many days had been scheeming to kill Jesus, would be laid bare.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[tessi]

Luke 2:35 “and a sword will pierce your soul too- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.”

What is Simeon telling the Blessed Virgin Mary, and how is this prophecy fulfilled?

I think this referred to the first part: He will be sign of contradiction, so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.