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 parents1 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?”2 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 stature3 and in favor with God and man.
Section Overview
The last account of Jesus’ early years is recorded here, and we see that the story takes place in the temple, just as Zechariah’s first encounter with Gabriel was in the temple (Luke 1:5–23). Jesus’ parents, in accord with the OT, travel to Jerusalem for Passover, and Jesus goes with them at twelve years of age. Unbeknownst to his parents, he stays behind. Joseph and Mary, after traveling for a day, discover that Jesus is not in the caravan making its way home. They return to Jerusalem and find Jesus in the temple, listening to the teachers in the temple and asking questions. Those present are astonished by Jesus’ understanding. Mary asks Jesus why he has caused them such distress. We come to the climax of the passage when Jesus says that he must be in his Father’s house, indicating that his primary relationship is not with his parents but with his Father. Mary and Joseph do not understand what Jesus is saying to them, but Jesus returns to Nazareth and submits to his parents, continuing to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor.
Section Outline
Response
We see here that Jesus is not an ordinary son; his uniqueness is communicated in this story when he does not do what sons typically do. Mary and Joseph are beginning to learn the hard lesson of letting their son go, as Jesus gives himself completely to the Father. All parents have to learn to let their children go, and this is difficult and painful. Yet Mary and Joseph learn this uniquely since Jesus is not only their son but also the Son of God. Still, after this event Jesus goes home and submits himself to his parents. He models what it means to be an obedient child, but at the end of the day he ultimately owes obedience to God, not his parents, even though he deeply loves them.