Luke 2:41-52 - The Boy Jesus in the Temple
2:41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43When the festival was ended, and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents were unaware of this. 44Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him; they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.’ 49He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ 50But they did not understand what he said to them.51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them, and his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
Background: How swiftly the angel choruses depart in Luke! And how many unanswered questions they leave behind. The gospel of Luke is the only of the four canonical gospels to include stories of Jesus’ childhood and there are only two. Just prior to this story, we get the wonderful story of Jesus’ family taking him to the temple for the birth rituals. There he is, babe in arms, nevertheless recognized by the old holy ones Anna and Simeon. From that story until today’s text, 12 years have passed. A main point of both of those passages is to highlight that Jesus was being raised by a very devout family intent on living the faith and its customs to the best of their ability. That is especially clear here. Scholars do not know for sure at what age a male child was required to take on full responsibility for keeping the law. Most suggest age 13. So, the mention of Jesus being only 12 highlights that he was not there to meet a requirement but rather out of devotion. The fact that Mary was with them reinforces that suggestion because women were not required to make these pilgrimages.
About Passover: The greatest of all the Jewish feasts, Passover is celebrated on 15 Nissan (March/April) and commemorates the most significant event of Israel’s life…the Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent gift of the Law at Sinai. The Exodus was the primary event of deliverance for Jews and the Law was the means for right relationship with God. Every Jewish adult male who lived within 15 miles of Jerusalem was required to attend the feast in Jerusalem. By this time, Jews were scattered all over the known world and it was the deepest hope of every Jew to be able to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem at least once in a lifetime. Pilgrims came from near and far, often at great expense and sacrifice. Estimates are that as many as 2 ¼ million Jews would gather at the Temple for the feast.
Word Study
The language in this passage is pretty straightforward. It would have reminded early hearers of stories they knew in the Old Testament, such as the story of young Samuel in the Temple. Still there are a few words of note that I will mention below.
Vs. 43 – When the festival was ended – The literal translation here would be something like ‘after spending the full number of days.’ The word for full is telieoo. It means to be complete or perfect. There is a spiritual dimension to the word that suggests that something is just exactly as it was eternally intended to be.
Stayed behind – This is a curious choice of words; it seems to me. hupomeno. It means to remain, but usually means to remain under something, like a load of miseries. Or it can mean to endure misery with faith and patience. There is no indication in this story that Jesus was experiencing any hardship or persecution. Perhaps Luke chose the word as a nod to how hard learning and theological debate can sometimes be. Or, I suppose more likely, he was just indicating that Jesus wasn’t ready to leave the temple and so he didn’t.
Vs. 44 – a day’s journey – the word used here means a daylight journey. The word for journey can mean path and way of life or custom. It was not a sign of inattention that Jesus’ parents did not know he had stayed behind. It was common on these caravans for young people to walk and play together on the way during daylight hours.
Acquaintances – This is a beautiful term from to root for ‘to know deeply and profoundly.’ They were traveling with people well known and trusted to them, which also explains there trust that all was well that first day. In addition, the word implies something of a comradeship in knowledge, particularly of the faith and its values.
Vs. 47 – answers – This word is used for making a decision. It is not answers as on an exam. Rather it has to do with listening to an array of opinions, sorting them out and coming out with a decision.
Vs. 50 – what he said to them – This is a powerful word in Greek, rhema. It refers to a statement or a speech, a word or a command. It implies the operative or all-powerful word or command of God. This understanding helps to understand how confused Jesus’ parents were and why Mary would treasure these words up.
Vs. 51- treasured – to keep carefully.
Vs. 52 – wisdom – Sophia – This word, and its Hebrew equivalent, often refer to that quality of God that, upon reflection and incorporation into life, allows one to rightly conduct one’s relationship with God. This wisdom is the basis for goodness and for moral and spiritual uprightness.
Favor – charis, - This word means rejoicing, joy, acceptance, benefit and grace…all at the same time.
Question for Personal Reflection
Where do you look to encounter Jesus? How do you find him in the church?