The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 Now (A)his parents went (B)to Jerusalem every year at (C)the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, (D)they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast (E)was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. (F)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, (G)sitting among (H)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, (I)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 (J)I must be in (K)my Father's house?”[b] 50 And (L)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 (M)his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus (N)increased in wisdom and in stature[c] and in (O)favor with God and man.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:48 Greek they
  2. Luke 2:49 Or about my Father's business
  3. Luke 2:52 Or years

Jesus in the temple at Passover

41 Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was 12 years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to their custom. 43 After the festival was over, they were returning home, but the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t know it. 44 Supposing that he was among their band of travelers, they journeyed on for a full day while looking for him among their family and friends. 45 When they didn’t find Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening to them and putting questions to them. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed by his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked.

His mother said, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Listen! Your father and I have been worried. We’ve been looking for you!”

49 Jesus replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he said to them.

51 Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother cherished every word in her heart. 52 Jesus matured in wisdom and years, and in favor with God and with people.

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