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In this lesson:
Twelve-year-old Jesus visits the Temple. Luke is the only Gospel that tells the story of lost Jesus. Since Luke never met Jesus, Bible scholars believe he heard the story from Mary. Study Tip: Repetition is a tool writers use to emphasize key points. Whenever you see themes repeated in the Bible, this is a clue that God considers them important. Hover over these passages a little longer to fully grasp their meaning. |
Young Jesus and the doctors of the Mosaic Law.
By an unknown artist. |
Where was:
Jerusalem -
Hebrew for "foundation of Shalem" (peace). Jerusalem is also called Mount Zion, David's city, Ariel (Isaiah 29:1) or the Holy City. It is located fourteen miles west of the Dead Sea and thirty-three miles east of the Mediterranean and sits in the Judaean Mountains approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. Surrounded by valleys on three sides, Jerusalem dominated the area and in Jesus' time was the epicenter of Jewish life, government, and religion. The ancestral home of Israel's King David, ancient Egyptian texts mention the city going back to the 19th century BC. It is first mentioned in the Bible under the name Salem (Genesis 14:18) and is first called Jerusalem in Joshua 10:1. The original city covered only about eight acres but was continually being rebuilt and expanded. Many early Christians had to flee Jerusalem or face persecution. Through the centuries Jerusalem has been occupied by Assyria, Egypt, Babylon (2 Kings 25), Persia, Greece, and Rome (who destroyed the city and murdered its citizens in AD 70). Rome rebuilt the city, renamed it Colonia Aelia Capitolina, banned Jews, and constructed a temple to the pagan god Jupiter. In AD 614, the Persians captured the city and again Jerusalem's citizens were killed. The European Crusaders occupied Jerusalem in 1099 and later the Turks. Today, Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and holds religious significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
Jerusalem -
Hebrew for "foundation of Shalem" (peace). Jerusalem is also called Mount Zion, David's city, Ariel (Isaiah 29:1) or the Holy City. It is located fourteen miles west of the Dead Sea and thirty-three miles east of the Mediterranean and sits in the Judaean Mountains approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. Surrounded by valleys on three sides, Jerusalem dominated the area and in Jesus' time was the epicenter of Jewish life, government, and religion. The ancestral home of Israel's King David, ancient Egyptian texts mention the city going back to the 19th century BC. It is first mentioned in the Bible under the name Salem (Genesis 14:18) and is first called Jerusalem in Joshua 10:1. The original city covered only about eight acres but was continually being rebuilt and expanded. Many early Christians had to flee Jerusalem or face persecution. Through the centuries Jerusalem has been occupied by Assyria, Egypt, Babylon (2 Kings 25), Persia, Greece, and Rome (who destroyed the city and murdered its citizens in AD 70). Rome rebuilt the city, renamed it Colonia Aelia Capitolina, banned Jews, and constructed a temple to the pagan god Jupiter. In AD 614, the Persians captured the city and again Jerusalem's citizens were killed. The European Crusaders occupied Jerusalem in 1099 and later the Turks. Today, Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and holds religious significance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 2:40-52
Jesus is left behind 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 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 to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And 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. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And 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. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And 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. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. |
Margin notes:
"Waxed strong in spirit." (2:40) - "Became strong in spirit." "Passover." (2:41) - Passover is the annual Jewish holiday commemorating the night the angel of death passed harmlessly over the enslaved Israelites in Egypt while killing the firstborn of all Egyptians (Exodus 12:13). This fearsome miracle convinced the Egyptians to let the Israelites go free after four hundred years of slavery. To begin the holiday, a sacrificial lamb was killed, without breaking any of its bones (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12), and roasted. The Passover feast was then prepared with bitter herbs (representing the bitterness of slavery) and sweet spices (representing the sweetness of freedom) and was followed immediately by the Feast of the Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15; Leviticus 23:5-8). The two eventually became as one holiday (Mark 14:1) beginning on the fourteenth day of the seventh month (Abib) and lasting one week as prescribed in Deuteronomy 16:1-3. Jewish men were required to "appear before the Lord" (Exodus 23:17) on Passover, so thousands of Jews came to Jerusalem each year to celebrate their liberation and to offer up a religious sacrifice. Passover is sometimes called simply the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15; Mark 14:1; Luke 22:1). Another interesting point is that Jesus was sacrificed on the cross the same day the sacrificial Passover lambs were killed in the Temple. Just like the sacrificial lambs, not a bone in Jesus' body was broken (John 19:36). To learn more about the Passover and its importance read Exodus 12:1-30; 12:43-50; 13:1-22; and Deuteronomy 16:1-8. "They went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast." (2:42) - Jewish law required adult males to attend three feasts each year; Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Exodus 23:14-17; Deuteronomy 16:16). Women could attend but weren't required to. "They, supposing him to have been in the company." (2:44) - "They thought Jesus was in the caravan." People often traveled together in caravans for protection against thieves and other hazards. Men usually journeyed together while the women kept company in a different part of the procession. Joseph probably thought Jesus was with Mary, and she believed He was with Joseph. When they came together at the end of the day, they realized Jesus had been left behind. "Sitting in the midst of the doctors." (2:46) - "Sitting in the middle of the (religious) teachers." These teachers were probably scribes, experts on the Mosaic Law. "All that heard him were astonished." (2:47) - Even as a boy Jesus was amazing. He continued to astonish (Matthew 7:28-29; 13:54; Mark 10:24; Luke 4:32) and amaze all His life (Matthew 8:27; 9:8; John 7:15). Why? See John 7:46. "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us?" (2:48) - "Son, why did you do this to us." "Wist ye not." (2:49) - Means "didn't you realize." Jesus was surprised His parents looked for Him anywhere else but at the Temple. Where else would He be? "Was subject unto them." (2:51) - "Was obedient to them." Apparently, Jesus didn't upset His parents again. "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature." (2:52) - Despite being divine, young Jesus still went through the various phases of growth, intellectually and physically. |
New Living Translation
Luke 2:40-52
40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on him.
Jesus Speaks with the Teachers
41 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.
42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.
43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first,
44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.
46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 His parents didn't know what to think. "Son," his mother said to him, "why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."
49 "But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"
50 But they didn't understand what he meant.
51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on him.
Jesus Speaks with the Teachers
41 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.
42 When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.
43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first,
44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.
46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 His parents didn't know what to think. "Son," his mother said to him, "why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."
49 "But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"
50 But they didn't understand what he meant.
51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." (2:40)
"And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (2:49)
"And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (2:49)
Today's Question:
1. Jesus said, "I must be about my Father's business." Did Jesus know He was the Messiah when He was twelve years old (2:49)?
Read your Bible every day to strengthen your relationship with God.
1. Jesus said, "I must be about my Father's business." Did Jesus know He was the Messiah when He was twelve years old (2:49)?
Read your Bible every day to strengthen your relationship with God.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Yes, Jesus knew. We don't know at what age Jesus became conscious of who He was, but clearly, by the age of twelve He knew His identity and mission on earth. As mentioned in the margin notes above (2:52), Jesus still had to go through the different stages of growing up, but He was well aware that He was the Son of God (2:49).
Additional note: Because of the unique circumstances of Jesus' conception and the angels visit before His birth, Mary and Joseph knew their son had a unique connection with God, but they didn't yet know what His mission was (2:50).
Application thought for the day:
Re-read this passage and meditate on what it reveals about Jesus.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke