Luke 2:39-52

Christian Standard Bible

The Family’s Return to Nazareth

³⁹ When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.^{(A) 40} The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.^(B)

In His Father’s House

⁴¹ Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.^{(C) 42} When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.^{(D) 43} After those days were over,^(E) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents^[a] did not know it. ⁴⁴ Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for 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 those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him,^(F) “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”^(G)

⁴⁹ “Why were you searching for me?” he asked them. “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?”^{[b] 50} But they did not understand what he said to them.^(H)

In Favor with God and with People

⁵¹ Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.^{(I) 52} And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.^(J)