Jesus

32They came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to his followers, "Sit here while I pray."

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

NoteGethsemane was a quiet garden of olive trees just outside the city.

33He took Peter, James, and John with him. He began to feel deeply troubled and full of sorrow.

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

NotePeter, James, and John were three of his twelve close followers.

34He said to them, "My heart is so sad I feel like I could die. Stay here and keep watch."

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

35He walked ahead a little way and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it could be, this hard time would pass by him.

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36He said, "Abba, Father, you can do anything. Take this cup away from me. But do what you want, not what I want."

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

NoteAbba was the word children used for their father, a lot like "Daddy." A "cup" here means the hard, sad thing that was coming.

37He came back and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not stay awake for one hour?

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

38Stay awake and pray, so you are not pulled into doing wrong. Your spirit wants to do right, but your body is weak."

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

39He went away again and prayed. He said the same words as before.

And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

40He came back and found them sleeping again. Their eyes were very heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

41He came back a third time. He said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough. The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being handed over to sinful men.

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

42Get up. Let's go. Look, the man who is handing me over is here."

Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

43While Jesus was still talking, Judas came. He was one of the twelve. A big crowd came with him carrying swords and clubs. They were sent by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

NoteElders were older men who helped lead the people. The King James says "staves," which are heavy wooden clubs.

44The man who was handing Jesus over had planned a signal with them. He said, "The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him and lead him away under guard."

And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

NoteFriends greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek. It was like a hug is for us today.

45Judas walked straight up to Jesus and said, "Teacher! Teacher!" Then he kissed him.

And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

46So the men grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

47One man standing there pulled out a sword. He struck the high priest's servant and cut off his ear.

And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

NoteThe high priest was the most important priest of all.

48Jesus said to the crowd, "Did you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, like I was a robber?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

49Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple. You did not arrest me then. But this is happening so the holy writings come true."

I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

NoteThe temple was the huge building in Jerusalem where people worshiped God.

50Then all his followers left him and ran away.

And they all forsook him, and fled.

51A young man was following Jesus. He was wearing only a linen cloth around his body. The men grabbed him.

And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

NoteLinen is cloth made from a plant. The young man had only a linen sheet wrapped around him.

52But he slipped out of the cloth and ran away with no clothes on.

And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

53They took Jesus to the high priest. All the chief priests, elders, and scribes came together there.

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

54Peter followed far behind, all the way into the high priest's courtyard. He sat with the guards and warmed himself by the fire.

And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

NoteThe King James says "palace," but it means the courtyard. A courtyard is an open yard with walls around it.

55The chief priests and the whole council looked for proof against Jesus so they could put him to death. They found none.

And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

NoteThe council was a group of leaders who acted like judges.

56Many people told lies about him. But their stories did not match.

For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

NoteA witness is a person who tells what he saw. Their rules said two witnesses had to say the very same thing.

57Then some men stood up and told lies about him. They said,

And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

58"We heard him say, 'I will tear down this temple that human hands built. In three days I will build another one, not made by human hands.'"

We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

Note"Made with hands" means built by people out of stone and wood.

59But even these stories did not match.

But neither so did their witness agree together.

60The high priest stood up in front of them all. He asked Jesus, "Do you have no answer? What about what these men say about you?"

And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

61But Jesus stayed quiet and said nothing. The high priest asked him again, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"

But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

NoteChrist means God's chosen king. "The Blessed One" was a polite way to say God without saying his name.

62Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God. You will see him coming with the clouds of heaven."

And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

NoteSitting at a king's right hand was the highest place of honor.

63Then the high priest tore his own clothes. He said, "Why do we need any more witnesses?

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

NotePeople tore their own clothes to show they were shocked or very upset.

64You heard him insult God. What do you say?" They all said he was guilty and should die.

Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

65Some of them began to spit on him. They covered his eyes and hit him with their fists. They said to him, "Prophesy," which means to tell what only God shows you. And the guards slapped him.

And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

NoteThey covered his eyes first. Then they hit him and told him to guess who did it. To "prophesy" means to tell something only God could show you.

1Early in the morning the leading priests made a plan. They met with the elders, the teachers of the law, and the whole council. They tied Jesus up and led him away. They handed him over to Pilate.

And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.

NotePilate was the Roman ruler in charge of that land. The council was a group of Jewish leaders who judged people. They were not allowed to put anyone to death. Only the Roman ruler could do that.

2Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "You have said so."

And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.

NoteThe Jews were God's people. Rome ruled their land at that time. Calling someone a king sounded like trouble to the Romans. "You have said so" was a quiet way of saying yes.

3The leading priests said Jesus had done many wrong things.

And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

4Pilate asked him again, "Are you not going to answer? Listen to all they say you did."

And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

5But Jesus still said nothing. That surprised Pilate.

But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

6At the feast each year, Pilate set one prisoner free. The people chose which one.

Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.

NoteThe feast was Passover, a big holiday each spring. Crowds of people came to the city for it.

7A man named Barabbas was locked up. He was with men who had fought against the rulers. Those men had killed someone in that fighting.

And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

NoteRome ruled the land with soldiers. Some men fought back and tried to push them out.

8The crowd came to Pilate. They asked him to do what he always did.

And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.

9Pilate asked them, "Do you want me to set free the King of the Jews?"

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

10He knew the leading priests had handed Jesus over because they were jealous of him.

For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

11But the leading priests stirred up the crowd. The people asked for Barabbas to be set free instead.

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

12So Pilate asked again, "Then what should I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?"

And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

13They shouted back, "Nail him to a cross!"

And they cried out again, Crucify him.

NoteA cross was two big pieces of wood. Roman soldiers nailed people to one to kill them. It was the worst punishment they had.

14Pilate said, "Why? What wrong has he done?" They shouted even louder, "Nail him to a cross!"

Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

15Pilate wanted to make the crowd happy. So he set Barabbas free. He had Jesus whipped and handed him over to be nailed to a cross.

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

NoteA Roman whip had sharp bits tied into it. Being whipped like that hurt very badly.

33At noon it grew dark over the whole land. It stayed dark until three in the afternoon.

And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

34At three, Jesus called out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" That means, "My God, my God, why have you left me?"

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

NoteJesus said these words in Aramaic, the everyday language he spoke. They are the first line of an old song in the Bible.

35Some people standing nearby heard him. They said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah."

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.

NoteElijah was a prophet long ago, a man who told people what God said. Many believed he would come back one day. The word "Eloi" sounds a lot like his name.

36One man ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. He put it on a stick and held it up for Jesus to drink. He said, "Leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down."

And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

NoteSour wine was thin, cheap wine. Workers and soldiers drank it to cool off.

37Then Jesus gave a loud cry and died.

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

38The big curtain inside the temple tore in two, from the top all the way down.

And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

NoteA huge curtain hung inside the temple. It closed off the most holy room. Only one priest could go past it, and only once a year.

39A Roman officer stood right in front of Jesus. He saw how Jesus cried out and died. He said, "This man really was the Son of God."

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

NoteA Roman officer like this one was in charge of about a hundred soldiers.

40Some women were watching from far away. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

NoteMagdalene means she came from a town called Magdala. James is called "the younger" so people knew which James was meant.

41These women had followed Jesus in Galilee and taken care of him. Many other women had come with him to Jerusalem.

(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

1The day of rest was over. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought sweet spices. They wanted to put the spices on Jesus' body.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

NoteThe day of rest was Saturday. Jewish people did no work on that day, so the women waited. Sweet spices were things that smelled good, like perfume. People put them on a dead body to show love and care. Mary Magdalene was a woman Jesus had helped, and she followed him.

2Very early on Sunday morning, just as the sun came up, they went to the tomb.

And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

NoteFor these people the week started on Sunday, so Sunday was the first day. A tomb was a small room cut into rock. A dead body was laid inside it.

3They said to each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the door of the tomb?"

And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

NoteA big flat stone was rolled across the door of a tomb to close it. It was so heavy that one person could not move it.

4Then they looked up. The stone was already rolled away. And it was a very big stone.

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

5They went inside the tomb. A young man in a long white robe was sitting on the right side. The women were frightened.

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

NoteThe King James Bible says the women were "affrighted." That is an old word. It simply means they were frightened.

6He said to them, "Do not be frightened. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was killed on a cross. He is alive again. He is not here. Look at the place where they laid him.

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. A cross was two wooden beams. Soldiers nailed a person to it to kill him.

7Now go and tell his followers, and tell Peter. Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you."

But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

NoteHis followers were the friends who traveled with him and learned from him. Galilee was the part of the country where Jesus grew up and taught. Peter was one of his closest friends.

8The women hurried out and ran from the tomb. They were shaking, and they were amazed. They were so afraid that they told no one anything.

And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

26When Elisabeth had been pregnant six months, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

NoteGalilee was the northern part of the country. Nazareth was a small, quiet town there, far from Jerusalem.

27God sent him to a young woman named Mary. She had never been with a man. She had promised to marry Joseph, who came from King David's family.

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

NoteBeing promised to marry was more serious than being engaged is today. The two were already called husband and wife. But they did not live together yet. David was Israel's greatest king, long before this. Joseph came from his family.

28The angel came to her and said, "Hello! God has been very kind to you. The Lord is with you. God has blessed you more than other women."

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29When Mary saw him, his words troubled her. She wondered what this greeting could mean.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary. God is pleased with you."

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31"Listen. You are going to have a baby boy. You will name him Jesus."

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

NoteThe name Jesus means "God saves."

32"He will be great. People will call him the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him king, as his father David was king."

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Note"The Most High" is a name for God. It means no one is higher than he is. A throne is the special chair a king sits in. Sitting on David's throne means being king the way David was.

33"He will rule over Jacob's family forever. His kingdom will never end."

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

NoteJacob lived long ago, and all the people of Israel came from his family. So "Jacob's family" means the whole nation.

34Then Mary asked the angel, "How can this happen? I have never been with a man."

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most High God will cover you. So the holy child born to you will be called the Son of God."

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Note"Cover you" means God's power will rest over her, like a shadow. Holy means set apart and belonging to God.

36"Look at your relative Elisabeth. She is going to have a son, even though she is old. People said she could not have a baby. She is now six months along."

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37"Nothing is too hard for God."

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant. Let it happen to me just as you said." Then the angel left her.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

NoteA servant here means a woman who worked for someone and obeyed them. Mary is saying she will do whatever God wants.

1Long ago, Caesar Augustus was the ruler of Rome. He made a rule. Everyone in all the world had to be counted and written on a list.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

NoteThe King James says "taxed." It means counting people and writing down their names. A ruler did this so he knew who should pay him money. Rome was a big empire that ruled many lands. Caesar Augustus was its ruler, far away from Bethlehem.

2This was the first time people were counted this way. Cyrenius was the governor of Syria then.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

NoteA governor was a man Rome put in charge of a big area. Syria was the large region just north of where Mary lived.

3So everyone went to his own town to be put on the list.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

NotePeople had to go back to the town their family came from. That is why so many were traveling at once.

4Joseph lived in Nazareth, a town in Galilee. He traveled to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of King David. Joseph came from David's family.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

NoteGalilee was in the north and Judea was in the south. Nazareth and Bethlehem were small towns. David had been Israel's greatest king long before. He grew up in Bethlehem, so it was called his town. Joseph was one of David's great great grandsons, many times over.

5Mary went with him to be put on the list. She was promised to marry Joseph. She was going to have a baby.

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

NoteThe King James says Mary was "espoused" to Joseph. Back then a promise to marry was very serious. It was almost like being married already.

6While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her baby to be born.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth. She laid him in a manger, a box that holds food for animals. There was no room for them in the inn, the place where travelers slept.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

NoteFirstborn means the first baby born in a family. Babies were wrapped snugly in long strips of cloth. People believed it helped a baby feel safe and warm. A manger is a box that animals eat out of.

8Shepherds were out in the fields nearby. They watched over their sheep all night.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

NoteShepherds took care of sheep. They slept outside with the sheep to keep them safe. Wild animals could come at night.

9An angel of the Lord came and stood by them. The bright glory of the Lord shone all around them. The shepherds were very afraid.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

NoteAn angel is a messenger God sends to tell people things. "The glory of the Lord" means a bright shining light that comes from God.

10The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will make all the people very glad."

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

NoteThe King James says "good tidings." Tidings is an old word for news.

11"Today in Bethlehem, King David's town, a Savior was born for you. A Savior is someone who saves people. He is Christ the Lord, the special king God promised to send."

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

NoteA Savior is someone who rescues people from trouble. "Christ" is not a last name. It means the special king God had promised to send.

12"Here is how you will know him. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

NoteA sign here means a way to know something is true. The angel told them exactly what they would find.

13All at once, many more angels from heaven were there with him. They were praising God and saying:

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

NoteThe King James says "the heavenly host." A host means a huge crowd. So this was a great many angels together.

14"Glory to God in the highest heaven! Peace on earth, and good will toward people!"

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Note"Glory to God in the highest" means praise to God up in heaven. "Good will toward men" means God is kind to people.

15The angels went back into heaven. The shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem. Let's see this thing the Lord has told us about."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16They hurried away. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17When they had seen him, they told other people what the angel had said about this child.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18Everyone who heard the shepherds was amazed at what they said.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things and thought about them in her heart.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

NoteTo ponder something is to think about it slowly and carefully. Mary kept remembering all that had happened.

20The shepherds went back to their fields. They praised God for all they had heard and seen. It happened just as the angel had said.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21When the baby was eight days old, he was circumcised, as God's law told his people to do. He was named Jesus. The angel had given that name before the baby began to grow inside Mary.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

NoteBeing circumcised meant a small piece of skin was cut off a baby boy. It did not take long, and it was done when he was eight days old. It was a sign that he belonged to God's people. The name Jesus means "the Lord saves."

22Then it was time for Mary to be made clean, as the law of Moses said. Moses was the leader who gave God's people their laws long ago. Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to give him to the Lord.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

NoteGod's law said a mother should wait a while after a baby was born. Then she came to the temple to be made clean again. Moses was the leader who gave God's people their laws long before this.

23God's law says this: "Every firstborn boy belongs to the Lord in a special way."

(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

NoteThe oldest son in a family was special. God's law said the family should give him back to God. Parents brought him to the temple to show he was God's.

24They also brought a gift for God, just as the law said: two turtledoves or two young pigeons.

And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

NoteFamilies usually brought a lamb as a gift to God. Families with less money could bring two small birds instead. Mary and Joseph brought birds.

25A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He did what was right, and he loved God. He was waiting for God to comfort the people of Israel. God's Holy Spirit was with him.

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.

Note"Devout" means he loved God and did what God said. Israel was the name of God's people. Simeon was waiting for God to comfort them and help them. The King James says "Holy Ghost." Ghost was an old word for spirit. It means God's Holy Spirit.

26The Holy Spirit had told Simeon something. He would not die before he saw the Lord's Christ, the king God promised.

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

NoteGod told Simeon a secret only he knew. He would live until he saw the promised king.

27The Spirit led Simeon into the temple, God's house in Jerusalem. Jesus' parents brought the child in to do what the law said.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

NoteThe temple was God's house in Jerusalem. People came there to pray and bring gifts to God.

28Simeon took the baby in his arms. He thanked God and said:

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29"Lord, you have kept your promise. Now you may let me, your servant, go in peace."

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

NoteSimeon means he is ready to die now, and he is happy. He had waited a long time, and now he had seen the child.

30"With my own eyes I have seen the one you sent to save people."

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31"You have made him ready for all people to see."

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32"He is a light to show the way to people who are not Jewish. He brings honor to your people, Israel."

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

NoteGentiles are people who are not Jewish. Simeon says this child will be like a light for everyone.

33Joseph and Jesus' mother were amazed at what Simeon said about him.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34Simeon asked God to bless them. He said to Mary, "Because of this child, many people in Israel will fall, and many will rise. People will speak against him."

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;

NoteSimeon means some people will follow this child and some will not. "Spoken against" means people will argue about him and say unkind things.

35"And a sword will cut through your own heart too. All of this will show what people are really thinking inside."

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

NoteA sword is a long sharp knife. This is a word picture, not a real sword. It means Mary would feel very deep sadness one day.

36Anna was there too. She was a prophetess, a woman who told people what God said. Her father was Phanuel, from the family of Aser. She was very old. She had been married for seven years.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

NoteA prophetess is a woman who tells people what God says. Aser was one of the twelve big families of Israel. Each family came from one of twelve brothers long ago.

37Then her husband died. She stayed a widow, a woman whose husband has died, until she was eighty-four years old. She never left the temple. She served God night and day. She prayed, and she went without food to pray.

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

NoteA widow is a woman whose husband has died. The King James says "fourscore and four." A score is twenty, so that means eighty-four. Fasting means going without food for a while, to pray.

38Right then Anna came up and thanked God too. She told about the child to everyone who was waiting for God to set Jerusalem free.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

NoteThese people were waiting for God to help Jerusalem. Another country ruled them, and they wanted to be free.