Luke 2:23-51

International Children’s Bible

²³ It is written in the law of the Lord: “Give every firstborn male to the Lord.”^{[a] 24} Mary and Joseph also went to offer a sacrifice, as the law of the Lord says: “You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons.”^[b]

Simeon Sees Jesus

²⁵ A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was a good man and very religious. He was waiting for the time when God would help Israel. The Holy Spirit was in him. ²⁶ The Holy Spirit told Simeon that he would not die before he saw the Christ promised by the Lord. ²⁷ The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple to do what the law said they must do. ²⁸ Then Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God:

³³ Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon had said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “Many in Israel will fall and many will rise because of this child. He will be a sign from God that many people will not accept. ³⁵ The things they think in secret will be made known. And the things that will happen will make your heart sad, too.”

Anna Sees Jesus

³⁶ Anna, a prophetess, was there at the Temple. She was from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. Anna was very old. She had once been married for seven years. ³⁷ Then her husband died and she lived alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna never left the Temple. She worshiped God by going without food and praying day and night. ³⁸ She was standing there at that time, thanking God. She talked about Jesus to all who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.

Joseph and Mary Return Home

³⁹ Joseph and Mary finished doing everything that the law of the Lord commanded. Then they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee. ⁴⁰ The little child began to grow up. He became stronger and wiser, and God’s blessings were with him.

Jesus As a Boy

⁴¹ Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. ⁴² When Jesus was 12 years old, they went to the feast as they always did. ⁴³ When the feast days were over, they went home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. ⁴⁴ Joseph and Mary traveled for a whole day. They thought that Jesus was with them in the group. Then they began to look for him among their family and friends, ⁴⁵ but they did not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him. Jesus was sitting in the Temple with the religious teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and wise answers. ⁴⁸ When Jesus’ parents saw him, they were amazed. His mother said to him, “Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you. We have been looking for you.”

⁴⁹ Jesus asked, “Why did you have to look for me? You should have known that I must be where my Father’s work is!” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand the meaning of what he said.

⁵¹ Jesus went with them to Nazareth and obeyed them. His mother was still thinking about all that had happened.