‘And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which were spoken concerning him, and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother,'
“Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
And for a sign which is spoken against.
(Yes, and a sword will pierce through your own soul),
That thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
His father and mother ‘were marvelling'. They continued to marvel at what was said of Him each time that it happened, including what was said by this godly (probably old) man who was a stranger to them. Indeed their marvelling increased. For this was the first time that such stress had been laid on the fact that He was to be a light to the Gentiles, that what He had come to bring was truly for all, and that all nations would benefit from it. Previously the main idea had been that He had come to act on behalf of Israel. And that was wonderful. But now it was made clear that He was God's gift to the whole world, and that all would benefit from His coming. Here was no national Messiah. Here was the supreme international Saviour. So His parents could only be more and more amazed at the way in which the impact of this son of theirs was expanding and seemingly growing wider and wider. The description of the wonder is partly in order for the reader also to ask himself what the wondering is about, and then to answer his own question in terms of the offer of worldwide salvation.
Then Simeon blessed them and spoke to Mary. The fact that he spoke to her alone would seem to confirm that she is seen as the only instrument of His birth. His words carried an ominous ring. Up until now all had been blessing and rejoicing, and it was fitting that it should be so, but now came the gentle reminder that another side was involved. God's purposes could only go forward through much tribulation. Through this child many in Israel would be raised up, becoming great men of God, and many others who appeared to be great men of God would fall because they refused to recognise Him. It also includes the idea that some might fall and rise again like Saul who would become Paul (Acts 9). And some who thought they had risen might fall, like Judas. He would not be welcomed by all. There would be both falling and rising. Some would find Him to be a stumblingblock. Others would discover in Him a spiritual resurrection. And those who thought that they stood must beware lest they fall.
The ideas behind this verse of the two contrasts of falling and rising can be found in Isaiah 8:14-15 - ‘He will become a sanctuary (rising), and a stone of offence (falling) -- many will stumble, and they will fall and be broken'. We can also consider Isaiah 28:13-16 - ‘ -- that they may go and fall backward (falling) -- I am laying in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation (rising) --'. The point is that Jesus will divide the nation in two between those who respond and rise and those who reject and fall. Some will respond, while others will oppose. These texts are frequently alluded to elsewhere in the New Testament (see Luke 20:17-18; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6-8) and also at Qumran.
He would be a sign from God. But there would be many who would speak against Him and not for Him. And indeed Mary should recognise that her own heart too would undergo pain and suffering because of Him. She would know many pricks of pain, many ups and downs and go through many a period of doubt and fear, and even unbelief, until finally she would receive the greatest blow of all at the cross from which she would be led away weeping by a hand not her son's, until she finally came through to full faith. (It was popularly recognised that the rise of the Messiah would be preceded by times of tribulation, and here Simeon is personalising it). And all this would be because His presence would bring out what was truly in men's hearts. Through His presence among them all hearts would be laid open and revealed by their attitude towards Him. For in Him light had come into the world, and men would reveal themselves by how they responded to that light. This is the first clear indication in Luke of the suffering that awaits Jesus.