Knowing The Word in Luke 2:41-52

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

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

Comments

All Jewish males were required to attend the Temple three times in the year at Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, also known as Booths. Both Mary and Joseph regularly went at Passover, suggesting Mary did not travel to Jerusalem for the other festivals, most likely keeping Jesus with her in Nazareth. Now Luke tells us that Jesus is twelve, the year before a boy assumes the responsibilities implied in his circumcision. He is in Jerusalem to observe what it will be like for him next year, the year of maturation when he becomes a man in Judaism. Was this his first time back in Jerusalem after his birth? We do not know, but he probably came on a regular basis with his parents.

Luke’s phrasing implies Jesus was not left behind by accident but decided on his own to stay. When heading back north to the Galilee, the younger kids and women set off first with the men and older boys following behind. Mary may have thought Jesus was now with Joseph and Joseph may have thought he was with Mary, so both thought he was okay. Eventually, they returned to Jerusalem. Why did they think to look in the temple? They must have known of his thirst for knowledge. Had he been like that at home? Was there something new going on in Jesus’ life? Mary reproached Jesus in her question, taking his decision to stay behind as disrespect toward his parents. His reply is astonishing. He has been in his Father’s house, interested in my Father’s business, and he is not talking about Joseph but about God. These are the first recorded words of Jesus.

Mary and Joseph must have recognized that they did not have the same relationship with God. Jesus was not taught by his parents so much about who God is, but God the Father revealed himself to Jesus directly in their divinely intimate relationship. As she did with the shepherds, Mary treasured this event in her heart. Luke wraps up this last story of Jesus’ early life, telling us that he continued to advance intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.

Application

What is important to you about the first recorded words of Jesus in understanding his identity and mission: “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” At age twelve, Jesus is already very mature. Most people who come to faith in Jesus have done this by age twelve, the age when children begin to break away from their parents and self-differentiate. Yet now Jesus will stay with his parents at home for another eighteen years or so.

Prayer

Father, we want to be about your business, which means we need to know you. Help us spend time with you throughout the day—in the morning and noon hours, at evening and bedtime—that we may know you and love you and serve you.