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33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

“Behold, this child is set for the fall[a] and rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign that is spoken against
35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also),
that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan′u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

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 company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking 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 they 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 looking for you anxiously.” 49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”[b] 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature,[c] and in favor with God and man.

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Footnotes

  1. 2.34 for the fall: i.e., in the sense that by rejecting his claims many would sin grievously.
  2. 2.49 Jesus stresses the priority of his duty to his Father, which involves a high degree of independence of earthly ties.
  3. Luke 2:52 Or years

33 [a]And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the (A)fall and rising of many in Israel, and for (B)a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, (C)a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of (D)Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow [b]of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers (E)night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to [c]the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who (F)looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 (G)And the Child grew and became strong [d]in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

41 His parents went to (H)Jerusalem (I)every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the (J)custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the (K)days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And [e]Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And (L)all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be (M)about (N)My Father’s business?” 50 But (O)they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was [f]subject to them, but His mother (P)kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus (Q)increased in wisdom and stature, (R)and in favor with God and men.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:33 NU And His father and mother
  2. Luke 2:37 NU until she was eighty-four
  3. Luke 2:38 NU God
  4. Luke 2:40 NU omits in spirit
  5. Luke 2:43 NU His parents
  6. Luke 2:51 obedient

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:(A) “This child is destined to cause the falling(B) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet,(C) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[a](D) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.(E) 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.(F)

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.(G) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(H)

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.(I) 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(J) at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother(K) said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father(L) 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?”[b](M) 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.(N)

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

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:37 Or then had been a widow for eighty-four years.
  2. Luke 2:49 Or be about my Father’s business