Font Size
Luke 2:39-52
New International Version
Luke 2:39-52
New International Version
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.(A) 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.(B)
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.(C) 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(D) at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother(E) said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father(F) 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](G) 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.(H)
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them(I) and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.(J) 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.(K)
Footnotes
- Luke 2:49 Or be about my Father’s business
Luke 2:39-52
King James Version
Luke 2:39-52
King James Version
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
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 to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Read full chapter
Luke 2:39-52
New King James Version
Luke 2:39-52
New King James Version
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 (A)And the Child grew and became strong [a]in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
41 His parents went to (B)Jerusalem (C)every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the (D)custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the (E)days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And [b]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 (F)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 (G)about (H)My Father’s business?” 50 But (I)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 [c]subject to them, but His mother (J)kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus (K)increased in wisdom and stature, (L)and in favor with God and men.
Read full chapter
Luke 2:39-52
English Standard Version
Luke 2:39-52
English Standard Version
The Return to Nazareth
39 And 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
41 Now (D)his parents went (E)to Jerusalem every year at (F)the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, (G)they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast (H)was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. (I)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, (J)sitting among (K)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, (L)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 (M)I must be in (N)my Father's house?”[b] 50 And (O)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 (P)his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus (Q)increased in wisdom and in stature[c] and in (R)favor with God and man.
Read full chapter
Luke 2:39-52
New American Standard Bible
Luke 2:39-52
New American Standard Bible
Return to Nazareth
39 And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to (A)their own city of Nazareth. 40 (B)Now the Child continued to grow and to become strong, [a]increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.
Visit to Jerusalem
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at (C)the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the (D)full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it. 44 Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him. 46 Then, 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 all who heard Him (E)were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and (F)His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, (G)Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You!” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that (H)I had to be in My Father’s [b]house?” 50 And yet (I)they on their part did not understand the statement which He had [c]made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to (J)Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and (K)His mother (L)treasured all these [d]things in her heart.
52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and [e]stature, and in (M)favor with God and people.
Read full chapter
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.