Luke 2:35

Sword. Gr. rhomphaia. used to describe a large sword, such as the long Thracian sword. Rhomphaia is to be distinguished from the usual NT word for sword, machaira, a word describing the short Roman sword. Rhomphaia appears in the LXX for the sword of Goliath. Presumably, the rhomphaia was a more formidable weapon than the machaira, and is used here figuratively to describe the sorrow that pierced Mary’s heart at the cross (see John 19:25; DA 744, 752). This, the first NT foreshadowing of the passion of Christ, reflects the prophecies of Isa. 52:14; 53:12. These mysterious words of Simeon must have passed over Mary’s consciousness like a chilling and ominous portent of things to come. Furthermore, the fact that Simeon’s declaration was addressed to Mary seems to imply that Joseph would not witness the scene on Calvary.

Thy own soul. Like all other Jews, Mary doubtless expected Jesus to reign gloriously upon the earthly throne of David (cf. ch. 1:32). This expectation, shared even by the disciples of Christ, could only make the disappointment of the cross more bitter. But God in His mercy gave her this intimation of what to expect.

Revealed. Literally, “uncovered,” or “unveiled.”