Luke 2:40-52
The Boy in the Temple
Read the passage
Luke 2:40-52 · 13 verses
Read the passage
Luke 2:40-52 · 13 verses
Luke 2:40-52
40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. stature: or, age
It is the only window Luke gives us into the years between the manger and the Jordan. A single scene, twelve years on. He grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him. A real childhood in a real village — learning the trade, learning the Law, learning what it is to be a boy in a small town under foreign occupation. At twelve years old, Joseph and Mary take Him up to Jerusalem for the Passover, as they did every year. When the feast is over, the caravan turns back toward Nazareth. Jesus is not in it. His parents travel a whole day before they realise — assuming Him to be somewhere among the company, a twelve-year-old among cousins and neighbours. They turn back to Jerusalem. They search for three days. And they find Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors — the senior theologians of Israel — both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding. Mary's anguish pours out: Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. He answers with the first words we ever hear from His mouth: How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?