THE BOY JESUS GREW

Passage: Luke 2:41-52

Key verse: 49

NIV

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.(A) 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed(B) at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother(C) said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father(D) and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a](E) 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.(F)

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them(G) and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.(H) 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.(I)

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:49 Or be about my Father’s business
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now (A)his parents went (B)to Jerusalem every year at (C)the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, (D)they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast (E)was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. (F)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, (G)sitting among (H)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[a] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, (I)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 (J)I must be in (K)my Father's house?”[b] 50 And (L)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 (M)his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus (N)increased in wisdom and in stature[c] and in (O)favor with God and man.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:48 Greek they
  2. Luke 2:49 Or about my Father's business
  3. Luke 2:52 Or years
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Jesus' burning desire to learn (41-47)

When Jesus was 12 years old, his parents took him with them when they made their annual trip to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Jesus was a growing boy--eager to learn everything. He was so eager to study the Bible that he stayed in the temple, asking questions and listening to the Bible teachers there. Jesus was growing in every way. In his eager desire to learn, he forgot about his parents.

2. Jesus learns obedience (48-52)

Jesus' parents were concerned when they found him missing from the company of pilgrims from Nazareth. They finally found him in the temple, and rebuked him for causing them so much anxiety. He revealed to them that he knew his identity as God's Son. But even God's Son had to learn obedience (Heb 5:8). God's discipline is a sign of God's love (Heb 12:6). God's work for Jesus in his youth was to study and grow. And he learned obedience, for this is essential to growth (Heb 5:8).

Prayer: Lord, give me spiritual and intellectual desire, and an obedient heart.

One Word: Keep on growing