Luke 2:29

Lord. Gr. despotes, meaning, “absolute ruler.” The word despotes of itself originally gave no indication whether the “absolute ruler” was good or bad. However, to place absolute power in the hands of any human being is a dangerous thing. A person’s character is soon shown in his use of such power, the extent of his wickedness being revealed in the degree of his abuse of power. Human nature being what it is, absolute power usually tends to bring out the bad in a man rather than the good; hence the English words “despot,” “despotic,” and “despotism,” derived from despotes, all reflect the tyrannical, evil use of power. But the use of despotes, in reference to God, presents a different idea. God, as “absolute Ruler,” would reflect in His government the absolute perfection of His own character. Despotes is used infrequently of the Lord (Acts 4:24; Jude 4; Rev. 6:10); rather, it is used of a “master” of slaves (1 Tim. 6:1, 2; 2 Tim. 2:21; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18). The usual NT word for Lord, or lord, is kurios, which simply denotes a superior without specifying the degree of superiority. Often kurios was used simply as a title of respect, as we use “sir.”

In vs. 29, 30 Simeon speaks of what the Messiah means to him personally; in vs. 31, 32 his thoughts turn to what the Messiah means to all men.

Lettest … depart. Simeon has accomplished his objective. He has lived to see the expected One. There is no further desire or request on his part, and he is ready for the release from service that death brings. See on v. 26.

In peace. Simeon realized his heart’s desire as, by faith, he saw in the infant Jesus the fulfillment of the Messianic promises of the OT. In the hearts of all men there is an emptiness that cannot be filled, a longing that cannot be satisfied, except in Jesus. We should not rest until, like Simeon, we too have seen, by faith, “the Lord’s Christ.”