Luk 2:42-52 | RWP | e4.org | Twelve years old ( ετων δωδεκα ). Predicate genitive. Luke does not say that Jesus had not been to Jerusalem before, but at twelve a Jewish boy became a "son of the law" and began to observe the ordinances, putting on the phylacteries as a reminder. They went up ( αναβαινοντων αυτων ). Genitive absolute with present active participle, a loose construction here, for the incident narrated took place after they had gone up, not while they were gong up. "On their usual going up" (Plummer).

‏ Luke 2:42-52

Twelve years old ( ετων δωδεκα ). Predicate genitive. Luke does not say that Jesus had not been to Jerusalem before, but at twelve a Jewish boy became a "son of the law" and began to observe the ordinances, putting on the phylacteries as a reminder.

They went up ( αναβαινοντων αυτων ). Genitive absolute with present active participle, a loose construction here, for the incident narrated took place after they had gone up, not while they were gong up. "On their usual going up" (Plummer).

When they had fulfilled the days ( τελειωσαντων τας ημερας ). Genitive absolute again, but aorist participle (effective aorist). "The days" may mean the full seven days (Ex 12:15f.; Le 23:6-8; De 16:3), or the two chief days after which many pilgrims left for home.

As they were returning ( εν τω υποστρεφειν αντους ). The articular infinitive with εν, a construction that Luke often uses (1:21; 2:27).

The boy, Jesus ( Ιησους ο παις ). More exactly, "Jesus the boy." In verse 40 it was "the child " ( το παιδιον ), here it is "the boy" ( ο παις, no longer the diminutive form). It was not disobedience on the part of "the boy" that made him remain behind, but intense interest in the services of the temple; "involuntary preoccupation" (Bruce) held him fast.

In the company ( εν τη συνοδια ). The caravan going together on the road or way ( συν, οδος ), a journey in company, then by metonymy the company itself. A common Greek word (Plutarch, Strabo, etc.). The women usually went ahead and the men followed. Joseph may have thought Jesus was with Mary and Mary that he was with Joseph. "The Nazareth caravan was so long that it took a whole day to look through it" (Plummer).

They sought for him ( ανεζητουν αυτον ). Imperfect active. Common Greek verb. Note force of ανα. They searched up and down, back and forth, a thorough search and prolonged, but in vain.

Seeking for him ( αναζητουντες αυτον ). Present participle of the same verb. This was all that was worth while now, finding the lost boy.

After three days ( μετα ημερας τρεις ). One day out, one day back, and on the third day finding him.

In the temple ( εν τω ιερω ). Probably on the terrace where members of the Sanhedrin gave public instruction on sabbaths and feast-days, so probably while the feast was still going on. The rabbis probably sat on benches in a circle. The listeners on the ground, among whom was Jesus the boy in a rapture of interest.

Both hearing them and asking them questions ( κα ακουοντα αυτων κα επερωτωντα αυτους ). Paul sat at the feet of Gamaliel (Ac 22:3). Picture this eager boy alive with interest. It was his one opportunity in a theological school outside of the synagogue to hear the great rabbis expound the problems of life. This was the most unusual of all children, to be sure, in intellectual grasp and power. But it is a mistake to think that children of twelve do not think profoundly concerning the issues of life. What father or mother has ever been able to answer a child's questions?

Were amazed ( εξισταντο ). Imperfect indicative middle, descriptive of their continued and repeated astonishment. Common verb εξιστημ meaning that they stood out of themselves as if their eyes were bulging out. The boy had a holy thirst for knowledge (Plummer), and he used a boy's way of learning.

At his understanding ( επ τη συνεσε ). Based on ( επ ), the grasp and comprehension from συνιημ, comparing and combining things. Cf. Mr 12:33.

His answers ( ταις αποκρισεσιν αυτου ). It is not difficult to ask hard questions, but this boy had astounding answers to their questions, revealing his amazing intellectual and spiritual growth.

They were astonished ( εξεπλαγησαν ). Second aorist passive indicative of an old Greek word ( εκπλησσω ), to strike out, drive out by a blow. Joseph and Mary "were struck out" by what they saw and heard. Even they had not fully realized the power in this wonderful boy. Parents often fail to perceive the wealth of nature in their children.

Son ( τεκνον ). Child, literally. It was natural for Mary to be the first to speak.

Why ( Τ ). The mother's reproach of the boy is followed by a confession of negligence on her part and of Joseph ( sorrowing, οδυνωμενο ).

Thy father ( ο πατερ σου ). No contradiction in this. Alford says: "Up to this time Joseph had been so called by the holy child himself, but from this time never."

Sought ( εζητουμεν ). Imperfect tense describing the long drawn out search for three days.

How is it that ( Τ οτ ). The first words of Jesus preserved to us. This crisp Greek idiom without copula expresses the boy's amazement that his parents should not know that there was only one possible place in Jerusalem for him.

I must be ( δε εινα με ). Messianic consciousness of the necessity laid on him. Jesus often uses δε (must) about his work. Of all the golden dreams of any boy of twelve here is the greatest.

In my Father's house ( εν τοις του πατρος μου ). Not "about my Father's business," but "in my Father's house" (cf. Ge 41:51). Common Greek idiom. And note "my," not "our." When the boy first became conscious of his peculiar relation to the Father in heaven we do not know. But he has it now at twelve and it will grow within him through the years ahead in Nazareth.

They understood not ( ου συνηκαν ). First aorist active indicative (one of the k aorists). Even Mary with all her previous preparation and brooding was not equal to the dawning of the Messianic consciousness in her boy. "My Father is God," Jesus had virtually said, "and I must be in His house." Bruce observes that a new era has come when Jesus calls God "Father," not Δεσποτες. "Even we do not yet fully understand" (Bruce) what Jesus the boy here said.

He was subject unto them ( ην υποτασσομενος αυτοις ). Periphrastic imperfect passive. He continued subject unto them, this wondrous boy who really knew more than parents and rabbis, this gentle, obedient, affectionate boy. The next eighteen years at Nazareth (Lu 3:23) he remained growing into manhood and becoming the carpenter of Nazareth (Mr 6:3) in succession to Joseph (Mt 13:55) who is mentioned here for the last time. Who can tell the wistful days when Jesus waited at Nazareth for the Father to call him to his Messianic task?

Kept ( διετηρε ). Imperfect active. Ancient Greek word ( διατηρεω ), but only here and Ac 15:29 in the N.T. though in Ge 37:11. She kept thoroughly ( δια ) all these recent sayings (or things, ρηματα ). In 2:19 συνετηρε is the word used of Mary after the shepherds left. These she kept pondering and comparing all the things. Surely she has a full heart now. Could she foresee how destiny would take Jesus out beyond her mother's reach?

Advanced in wisdom and stature ( προεκοπτεν τη σοφια κα ηλικια ). Imperfect active, he kept cutting his way forward as through a forest or jungle as pioneers did. He kept growing in stature ( ηλικια may mean age, as in 12:25, but stature here) and in wisdom (more than mere knowledge). His physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual development was perfect. "At each stage he was perfect for that stage" (Plummer).

In favour ( χαριτ ). Or grace. This is ideal manhood to have the favour of God and men.