Luke 2 · a question people ask
What did Simeon mean by "a sword will pierce through your own soul"?
Luke gives Simeon's words and doesn't explain them. "Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”" (2:34-35). Luke doesn't say what the sword is or when it would come, and he gives no answer from Mary. These notes don't supply what the chapter doesn't give. What Luke does say is that "Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him" (2:33), and, twice in this chapter, that Mary "kept all these sayings" (2:19, 2:51).
The verses
“Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him. Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.””
“But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.”
“And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.”