Luke 2:39-49

English Standard Version

The Return to Nazareth

³⁹And when they had performed everything according to ^(A)the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of ^(B)Nazareth. ⁴⁰^(C)And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

⁴¹Now ^(D)his parents went ^(E)to Jerusalem every year at ^(F)the Feast of the Passover. ⁴²And when he was twelve years old, ^(G)they went up according to custom. ⁴³And when the feast ^(H)was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. ^(I)His parents did not know it, ⁴⁴but 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, ⁴⁵and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. ⁴⁶After three days they found him in the temple, ^(J)sitting among ^(K)the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸And when his parents^[a] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, ^(L)your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” ⁴⁹And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that ^(M)I must be in ^(N)my Father's house?”^[b]