BOY JESUS STAYS AT THE TEMPLE

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. Twelve-year-old Jesus at the temple (41-47) Jesus grew as a good, ordinary Jewish boy, attending Passover annually. When he was twelve, they lost track of him on the way home. After three days they found him listening and asking questions among the temple teachers. What did Jesus eat, and where did he stay? Clearly, he wasn't worried about being "lost." He was drawn to the things of God from a young age. 2. "I had to be in my Father's house" (48-52) Mary asked Jesus why he treated them like this and made them so anxious and worried. Boy Jesus said, "I had to be in my Father's house" (or, "about my Father's business"). Boy Jesus knew he must be near his Father God: in his house, doing his work. Jesus kept growing in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man.

Prayer: Father in heaven, I want to know you and be near you. Thank you for making this possible through Christ our Savior.

One Word: Lord, I want to know you and be near you