By the Spirit - By the direction of the Spirit.

Into the temple - Into that part of the temple where the public worship was chiefly performed - into the court of the women. See the notes at Matthew 21:12.

The custom of the law - That is, to make an offering for purification, and to present him to God.

He came by the Spirit into the temple - Probably he had in view the prophecy of Malachi, Malachi 3:1, The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple. In this messenger of the covenant, the soul of Simeon delighted. Now the prophecy was just going to be fulfilled; and the Holy Spirit, who dwelt in the soul of this righteous man, directed him to go and see its accomplishment. Those who come, under the influence of God's Spirit, to places of public worship, will undoubtedly meet with him who is the comfort and salvation of Israel.

After the custom of the law - To present him to the Lord, and then redeem him by paying five shekels, Numbers 18:15, Numbers 18:16, and to offer those sacrifices appointed by the law. See Luke 2:24.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple,.... By the same Spirit of God, that revealed the above to him. The Ethiopic version renders it, "the Spirit brought him into the temple": but Simeon was not brought thither, as this version seems to suggest, in such manner as Ezekiel was brought by the Spirit to Jerusalem.Eze 8:3 or as Christ was brought by Satan to the holy city and set upon the pinnacle of the temple; but the Spirit of God, who knows and searches all things, even the deep things of God, and could testify beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow, knew the exact time when Jesus would be brought into the temple; and suggested to Simeon, and moved upon him, and influenced and directed him, to go thither at that very time. The Persic version renders the whole verse thus, "when he heard that they brought Christ into the temple, that they might fulfil the law, Simeon went in"; which version spoils the glory of the text, making Simeon's coming into the temple, to be upon a report heard, and not the motion of the Holy Ghost,

And when the parents brought in the child Jesus; when Joseph and Mary brought Christ into the temple. The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, "his parents", Mary was his real parent, Joseph is called so, as he is his father in Luke 2:48 because he was supposed, and generally thought to be so, Luke 3:23.

To do for him after the custom of the law; as was used to be done in such a case, according to the appointment of the law: or as the Syriac version renders it, "as is commanded in the law"; namely, to present him to the Lord, and to pay the redemption money for him.

By the Spirit (ἐν τῷ πνεύματι)

Lit., as Rev., "in the Spirit'" the Holy Spirit prompting him. Indicating rather his spiritual condition, as one who walked with God, than a special divine impulse.

After the custom (κατὰ τὸ εἰθισμένον)

Lit., according to that which was wont to be done. Only here in New Testament; and the kindred words, ἔθος custom, and ἔθω, to be accustomed, occur more frequently in Luke than elsewhere. Very common in medical writings.

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

(k) Joseph and Mary: and he says parents because that is what most of the people then thought.

2:27 Came by the Spirit into the temple. Directed by and filled with the Spirit.

After the custom of the law. Offered the required sacrifices. The law was strictly observed, because Jesus was born under the law (Ga 4:4).

2:27 By the Spirit - By a particular revelation or impulse from him.

27, 28. The Spirit guided him to the temple at the very moment when the Virgin was about to present Him to the Lord.

2:25-35 The same Spirit that provided for the support of Simeon's hope, provided for his joy. Those who would see Christ must go to his temple. Here is a confession of his faith, that this Child in his arms was the Saviour, the salvation itself, the salvation of God's appointing. He bids farewell to this world. How poor does this world look to one that has Christ in his arms, and salvation in his view! See here, how comfortable is the death of a good man; he departs in peace with God, peace with his own conscience, in peace with death. Those that have welcomed Christ, may welcome death. Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things which were spoken of this Child. Simeon shows them likewise, what reason they had to rejoice with trembling. And Jesus, his doctrine, and people, are still spoken against; his truth and holiness are still denied and blasphemed; his preached word is still the touchstone of men's characters. The secret good affections in the minds of some, will be revealed by their embracing Christ; the secret corruptions of others will be revealed by their enmity to Christ. Men will be judged by the thoughts of their hearts concerning Christ. He shall be a suffering Jesus; his mother shall suffer with him, because of the nearness of her relation and affection.