The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Luke 2:39) And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

In the last post and first part of Luke 2, Mary and Joseph had taken the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to the temple to be presented to the Lord and redeemed as He was their firstborn and therefore holy to God.  After presenting Him and offering their offering, they returned to Nazareth in Galilee.  They actually didn't go immediately back to Nazareth but must have first returned to Bethlehem as the wise men later came to Bethlehem to see the Christ Child.  From there the family went to Egypt until the death of Herod, and then they returned to Nazareth where Jesus grew up.

(40) And the Child grew and strengthened in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

Indeed, Jesus did grow and become strong in spirit and wisdom in Nazareth, and God's favor was upon Him.

(41) Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

Every year Jesus's parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover as was their custom, and it was the law for Jewish males.

(42) And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast.

When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover as they always did.

(43) And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the Child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and His mother did not know it.

When they had fulfilled all the days of the Passover, eight in all, they began their journey back, but Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem and His parents did not know it.

(44) But supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and they sought Him among kinsfolk and acquaintances.

Apparently, the people journeyed in large groups so that Jesus's parents did not immediately look for Him, but assumed Him to be with another part of the company.  It wasn't until after a day's journey that they began to enquire of friends and relatives in the group about Jesus's whereabouts.

(45) And when they did not find Him, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

When Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus among their group, they returned to Jerusalem to look for Him.

(46) And it came to pass that after three days they found Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the instructors, both listening to them and asking them questions.

My first thought was how unbelievable it was that His parents could let their Child get so far from them that it took three days to find Him, but I imagine it was one day journeying and then one day back, and they found Him on the third day.  They found Him in the temple sitting among the instructors, listening and asking questions.  It's rather remarkable to think that for three days He did not seek His parents but preferred rather to be in the temple discussing the things of God.

(47) And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

All in the temple who heard twelve-year-old Jesus were astonished at His understanding and knowledge for someone of His young age.

(48) And when they saw Him, they were amazed, and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You dealt this way with us? Behold, Your father and I have sought You, sorrowing."

Mary and Joseph were amazed to Jesus sitting calmly in the temple with the teachers.  Mary asked Him why He had done that to them as they had been frantically looking for Him and were worried.

(49) And He said to them, "Why is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"

I believe the sense of Jesus's question and reply was that they should not have been so anxious about where to find Him, but should have known He would be in the temple as it was time to be about His heavenly Father's business, engaged in the learning and teaching of His Father.

(50) And they did not understand the saying which He spoke to them.

It seems that Mary and Joseph didn't understand the gist of what Jesus meant.  Even knowing Who Jesus was and Who He was to become, they did not yet see Him for more than their child who needed looking after.

(51) And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them; but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Jesus returned with His parents to Nazareth and remained subject to them as a child to His parents.  However, Mary pondered the things that had happened and what was said by Jesus in her heart.

(52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.

Jesus continued to grow in stature and in wisdom and in favor with God.  It seems He also grew to be esteemed by men.

As short as this post is, it is the end of the second chapter of Luke, and as the subject changes entirely in the next chapter, I will end this post here, and continue with chapter 3 in the next.