Editing Nunc dimittis (section)

==Commentary==

Writing in the early 20th century, [[Justus Knecht|Friedrich Justus Knecht]] concludes from this passage that "belief in Jesus Christ drives away all fear of death." He writes:
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Simeon now rejoiced at the prospect of death. Such a sensation was hitherto unknown in Israel. "Pious Israelites closed their eyes in death, weary of life and submissive to God’s will; not altogether hopeless, but full of horror of the future. Death was a thing to be feared, and each new day of life which was granted was looked on as a gain" (Grimm). But all at once every thing was changed. Holy Simeon had seen the Saviour, and was now ready to die joyfully. In fact, he did die very soon after; a pious tradition even goes so far as to say that he died before he left the Temple. He was thus the first to take the joyful news to [[Limbo#Limbo of the Patriarchs|Limbo]] that the Saviour was born and the day of salvation at hand.<ref>{{cite book|chapter = [[s:A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture/VII. The Presentation in the Temple|VII. The Presentation in the Temple]]|title = A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture|year = 1910| publisher = B. Herder |author=Friedrich Justus Knecht}}</ref>
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While serving as Prefect at Georgetown College, English Jesuit [[Roger Baxter]] reflects on this passage in his 19th-century ''Meditations'', saying: "Oh that you would also bid farewell to all earthly things, and say with the Apostle, 'But I am straitened — having a desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ.' (Phil. 1:23.)"<ref>{{cite book|chapter=[[s:Meditations_For_Every_Day_In_The_Year/Historical_Narratives#484|Simeon's Prophecy]]|title=Meditations For Every Day In The Year|year=1823|publisher=Benziger Brothers|first=Roger|last=Baxter|author-link=Roger Baxter|location=New York}}</ref>