A Glimpse of Jesus at Age Twelve: Luke 2:41-52
“41) Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42) And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43) and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, 44) but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45) When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. 46) Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47) And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48) When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” 49) And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50) But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. 51) And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52) And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:41-52
We now have the only glimpse of Jesus as a teenager recorded in the Bible. It happened when He was twelve years old.
Every year Mary and Joseph would travel to Jerusalem to keep the Passover. They traveled in a caravan with relatives and other acquaintances. On this occasion on the return trip, they discovered that Jesus was not with them. Becoming anxious, they returned to Jerusalem and began searching for Him.
After three days, they found Him in the temple sitting among the teachers both listening to them and asking questions. Verse 47 says; “And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.” He knew the Scriptures and had keen insight into Theology.
There was no natural explanation for His knowledge and insights. Though He most likely attended a synagogue, His family had no direct access to scrolls of the Old Testament. Jesus had listened and learned well. Most Jewish boys had memorized the book of Proverbs by age twelve. It appears that Jesus had master much more of the Scriptures.
After three days of searching, His parents found Him in the temple. His mother asked Him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.”
The reply of Jesus was respectful, but included a play on the word “father.” “Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house.” He was reminding both Mary and Joseph who His true Father was! He was indeed in His Father’s house. He was indeed 100% in subjection to His actual Father! God Himself was indeed His literal Father! Joseph was merely His stepfather.
Verse 50 indicates that they did not understand His statement, yet there seemed to be mutual respect. There is no indication of discipline or punishment. He submitted to them and returned to Nazareth and lived in subjection to them. Yet Mary treasured these things in her heart.
There remains one mystery from this text. This is the last time Joseph is mentioned in conjunction with Jesus. Most scholars believe that sometime after this story, Joseph died and the care of providing for the family fell on Jesus as the eldest son. He fulfilled this responsibility until age thirty.
The calling of God does not exempt us from other responsibilities in life. Jesus fulfilled His biblical responsibility as the eldest son of Mary.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“41) Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42) And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43) and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, 44) but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45) When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. 46) Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47) And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48) When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” 49) And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50) But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. 51) And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52) And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:41-52
We now have the only glimpse of Jesus as a teenager recorded in the Bible. It happened when He was twelve years old.
Every year Mary and Joseph would travel to Jerusalem to keep the Passover. They traveled in a caravan with relatives and other acquaintances. On this occasion on the return trip, they discovered that Jesus was not with them. Becoming anxious, they returned to Jerusalem and began searching for Him.
After three days, they found Him in the temple sitting among the teachers both listening to them and asking questions. Verse 47 says; “And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.” He knew the Scriptures and had keen insight into Theology.
There was no natural explanation for His knowledge and insights. Though He most likely attended a synagogue, His family had no direct access to scrolls of the Old Testament. Jesus had listened and learned well. Most Jewish boys had memorized the book of Proverbs by age twelve. It appears that Jesus had master much more of the Scriptures.
After three days of searching, His parents found Him in the temple. His mother asked Him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.”
The reply of Jesus was respectful, but included a play on the word “father.” “Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house.” He was reminding both Mary and Joseph who His true Father was! He was indeed in His Father’s house. He was indeed 100% in subjection to His actual Father! God Himself was indeed His literal Father! Joseph was merely His stepfather.
Verse 50 indicates that they did not understand His statement, yet there seemed to be mutual respect. There is no indication of discipline or punishment. He submitted to them and returned to Nazareth and lived in subjection to them. Yet Mary treasured these things in her heart.
There remains one mystery from this text. This is the last time Joseph is mentioned in conjunction with Jesus. Most scholars believe that sometime after this story, Joseph died and the care of providing for the family fell on Jesus as the eldest son. He fulfilled this responsibility until age thirty.
The calling of God does not exempt us from other responsibilities in life. Jesus fulfilled His biblical responsibility as the eldest son of Mary.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
