TEXT – Luke 2: 41–52 – Finding Jesus in the Temple
Passover Feast
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 according to custom;
Jesus Separated from Parents
43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Jesus Found
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Mary’s Question
48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”
Jesus’ Reason
49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.
Jesus back in Nazareth
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.
EXPLANATION
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 according to custom;
“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover” — The Jewish Law prescribed that each year for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles all Jewish males would go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and worship in the Temple (Ex. 23: 14–17; 34: 23; Dt. 16: 16; Lv. 23: 4–14). Those who lived at a great distance were exempt, except for the feast of Passover. Some Rabbis did not believe that the Law applied to women and children. That Mary and the child Jesus accompanied Joseph shows that the family was very devout (Lk. 2: 22–23, 27, 39, 41–42).
“And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom” — They went for the feast of Passover when Jesus was twelve years of age. At this age Jewish boys were regarded as sufficiently mature to make vows and undertake religious responsibilities. Bar mitzvah, a son of the Law, celebrates, even today, the official arrival at maturity of a Jewish boy.
43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
“and when the feast was ended” — Passover feast lasted eight days.
“as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem” — Jesus was referred to as a “baby” in verse 16, as a “child” in verse 40, and now in this verse 43 as a “boy” to show his progress since birth in this chapter. He is no longer a child but a “boy”, that is one who has begun the process of maturing to manhood. That development will be complete at the end of the chapter.
“His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company” — It is clear as the reading progresses that staying behind was Jesus’ sole choice.
The “company” would be those from the village of Nazareth who went to the feast. That is why it was so easy to miss him, presuming that he was either with father or mother, as women and men walked separately, or he was with other children of the same age.
they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. — We can well imagine the consternation on discovering that a twelve year old boy was missing and no one could help with information. He was lost!
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
“After three days” — This period is frequent in Luke’s Gospel, referring mostly to the three days in the tomb (Lk. 9: 22; 13: 32; 18: 33; 24: 7, 221, 46). There will be other references to the resurrection in this passage, as follows.
“they found him in the temple” — There is a deeper meaning in this passage, highlighted by these words. In the parable of the Merciful Father (Lk. 15: 11–32) the prodigal is described as lost and found, as it were dead and come back to life (Lk. 15: 24). Applied to this passage, we see Jesus lost, that is dead, and found, that is risen, the cause of great sorrow and then joy at his discovery in the temple of his flesh after “three days”.
“sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions” — Jesus is depicted as a rabbi sitting among his followers. That is symbolical of his role in later life. The reality is that for his age he is one who had deep insight and understanding of the Law which “amazed” those present.
“and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers” — The particular Greek word for “amazed” expresses a very strong emotion and reaction. Jesus is exceptional in his knowledge.
48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”
“And when they saw him they were astonished” — The meaning is that Mary and Joseph were very surprised, utterly shocked and could not understand why Jesus had remained in Jerusalem. It is only after the resurrection that understanding about Jesus becomes possible.
“and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? ‘“ — Mary calls him “Son”. She is a mother speaking to her child. What she says is what any mother would say, “why have you treated us so?”.
“Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.’” — Joseph is called “your father”.
We have been looking for you anxiously” tells us that Simeon’s prophecy is being fulfilled for the first time (Lk. 2: 34–35). The sword of sorrow has pierced her heart.
49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
“And he said to them, ‘How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? [Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?]’” — The Greek text allows for two translations which follow two schools of scholarship, the one given here, which is the translation in the Revised Standard Version, and that of the Jerusalem Bible which is enclosed in square brackets, “Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?”
These are Jesus’ first words in Luke’s Gospel. He declares his true identity; he is God’s Son, doing God’s will.
Jesus was found in the Temple sharing the word of God as his Father’s will. He will enunciate this obligation more clearly later, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” (Lk. 4: 43).
He refers to God as “my Father”, his essential relationship. It is in the Temple, God’s house where God is present, that he makes this self–revelation of who he is. God is his witness.
In verse 48, speaking to Jesus, Joseph is called by Mary “your father”. Jesus makes the point that God is his true father. He is now officially mature, being twelve years of age, and he has to obey God his true father first.
“must” — This word occurs 18 times in Luke’s Gospel. It shows that Jesus sees himself as bound to obey his Father and do his will. Practically that will mean at this stage, as we shall read, that he return to Nazareth and obey his parents.
“The finding of Jesus in the temple is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus. Here Jesus lets us catch a glimpse of the mystery of his total consecration to a mission that flows from his divine sonship: ‘Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s work?’” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 534).
50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.
“And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them” — Mary and Joseph did not understand that God his Father would make unusual demands on him to be obeyed such as staying behind in Jerusalem as they returned home. However, they accepted them in faith.
Lack of proper understanding is a strong point in Luke’s Gospel (Lk. 8: 10; 9: 45; 18: 34). With faith there is always a certain obscurity, some mystery. Vision is reserved for the next life.
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
“And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them” — As mentioned in the commentary on verse 49 this was in keeping with his Father’s will.
This is the last reference to St. Joseph. Jesus is now mature and of legal age. God is his Father and has begun to call upon him. St Joseph’s role is now complete.
“and his mother kept all these things in her heart” — The word that is translated “things” can also be translated “words”.
Mary is shown as the model disciple and believer by reflecting in her heart on the word or action of God in her life or that of others about her.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man” — Jesus matured spiritually and socially.
The first quality of Jesus mentioned is “wisdom”. “Wisdom” was also mentioned in verse 40. This repeated word is what is known as an “inclusio”. This is a literary form which indicates that everything contained between the two references is meant to describe Jesus’ “wisdom”: he knows that God is his Father and that they have an exceptional and unique relationship. He also knows and obeys God’s will.
“This human soul that the Son of God assumed at conception is endowed with a true human knowledge. As such, this knowledge could not in itself be unlimited: it was exercised in the historical conditions of his existence in space and time. This is why the Son of God could, when he became man, ‘increase in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man’, and would even have to inquire for himself about what one in the human condition can learn only from experience. This corresponded to the reality of his voluntary emptying of himself, taking ‘the form of a slave’” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 472).
APPLICATION
1. The story recorded in this passage is probably among the most misinterpreted in the Gospels. At first glance it might seem to be an account of a young and thoughtless boy being very irresponsible towards his parents, being twelve years of age and presuming that he is now a man, and so decides to remain in Jerusalem when he should have been with them on their way home. When they find him, some would interpret his answer to his mother’s question as rude.
Others see in this a passage about family, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who, apart from Jesus, are not mentioned by name. “Parents” are mentioned twice, “mother” twice and “father” once. Looking at the passage from this point of view, the stress is on the obedience of children to their parents. Readers are encouraged to build up the family of God and thus become holy.
2. There is a deeper meaning that offers a rich mine to be explored. In this interpretation the starting point is that the Gospels tell us about Jesus, who he is, his true identity, his personality, his words and his deeds, the reason for his appearance on earth. The fact that Mary and Joseph “did not understand the saying which he spoke to them” makes us cautious that we too might not comprehend the true meaning. We are reminded that “his mother kept all these things in her heart”. She, the true and perfect disciple, meditated and reflected on the words and deeds of her son until she understood, as we should too.
The passage offers clues to help us grasp the meaning. The first words that Jesus spoke in Luke’s Gospel are recorded in this passage, “And he said to them, ‘How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” Here Jesus gives a revelation of who he is, God the Father’s Son. His Father and Jesus have an extra special relationship.
The Archangel Gabriel had already announced that Jesus would be God’s Son (Lk. 1: 35). In the present passage Jesus makes clear that he knows he is the Father’s Son (Lk. 2: 49). As he commences his public ministry with his baptism by John, God the Father will declare from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Lk. 22-23).
Obedience to the Father comes before any other relationships and obligations. It is because of his obedience to his Father’s will that he will obey his earthly parents by going home with them and staying there until his Father calls him to his public ministry. Do we have to question, ‘Do we always have to obey God?’ the answer is obvious. St. Paul refers to this as “the obedience of faith”.
3. Eight points in this passage are, to me, obviously referring to Jesus’ passion and resurrection (Lk. 9: 51 – 24: 52). There is a clear connection.
i) Both sections refer to a journey to Jerusalem.
ii) The Temple is mentioned as important to both.
iii) Jesus is accompanied by his parents in the first and by his disciples in the second. He had already declared that anyone who does his Father’s will is his mother and brother and sister, which can apply to his disciples.
iv) Both episodes took place at the feast of Passover.
v) In the first Jesus was lost. In the second he was led to death and crucified. In Luke 15 death and being lost are identified.
vi) In both he is found after three days
vii) Mary, in the first passage, could not understand why Jesus remained in Jerusalem. In the second passage, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus could not understand why Jesus died.
viii) In both passages Jesus asks why his parents and the two disciples did not know his reason for acting as he did.
Commentary on Holy Family Sunday (C), 27th December 2015
TEXT – Luke 2: 41–52 – Finding Jesus in the Temple
Passover Feast
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 according to custom;
Jesus Separated from Parents
43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Jesus Found
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Mary’s Question
48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”
Jesus’ Reason
49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.
Jesus back in Nazareth
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.
EXPLANATION
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 according to custom;
“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover” — The Jewish Law prescribed that each year for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles all Jewish males would go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and worship in the Temple (Ex. 23: 14–17; 34: 23; Dt. 16: 16; Lv. 23: 4–14). Those who lived at a great distance were exempt, except for the feast of Passover. Some Rabbis did not believe that the Law applied to women and children. That Mary and the child Jesus accompanied Joseph shows that the family was very devout (Lk. 2: 22–23, 27, 39, 41–42).
“And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom” — They went for the feast of Passover when Jesus was twelve years of age. At this age Jewish boys were regarded as sufficiently mature to make vows and undertake religious responsibilities. Bar mitzvah, a son of the Law, celebrates, even today, the official arrival at maturity of a Jewish boy.
43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
“and when the feast was ended” — Passover feast lasted eight days.
“as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem” — Jesus was referred to as a “baby” in verse 16, as a “child” in verse 40, and now in this verse 43 as a “boy” to show his progress since birth in this chapter. He is no longer a child but a “boy”, that is one who has begun the process of maturing to manhood. That development will be complete at the end of the chapter.
“His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company” — It is clear as the reading progresses that staying behind was Jesus’ sole choice.
The “company” would be those from the village of Nazareth who went to the feast. That is why it was so easy to miss him, presuming that he was either with father or mother, as women and men walked separately, or he was with other children of the same age.
they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. — We can well imagine the consternation on discovering that a twelve year old boy was missing and no one could help with information. He was lost!
46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
“After three days” — This period is frequent in Luke’s Gospel, referring mostly to the three days in the tomb (Lk. 9: 22; 13: 32; 18: 33; 24: 7, 221, 46). There will be other references to the resurrection in this passage, as follows.
“they found him in the temple” — There is a deeper meaning in this passage, highlighted by these words. In the parable of the Merciful Father (Lk. 15: 11–32) the prodigal is described as lost and found, as it were dead and come back to life (Lk. 15: 24). Applied to this passage, we see Jesus lost, that is dead, and found, that is risen, the cause of great sorrow and then joy at his discovery in the temple of his flesh after “three days”.
“sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions” — Jesus is depicted as a rabbi sitting among his followers. That is symbolical of his role in later life. The reality is that for his age he is one who had deep insight and understanding of the Law which “amazed” those present.
“and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers” — The particular Greek word for “amazed” expresses a very strong emotion and reaction. Jesus is exceptional in his knowledge.
48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”
“And when they saw him they were astonished” — The meaning is that Mary and Joseph were very surprised, utterly shocked and could not understand why Jesus had remained in Jerusalem. It is only after the resurrection that understanding about Jesus becomes possible.
“and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? ‘“ — Mary calls him “Son”. She is a mother speaking to her child. What she says is what any mother would say, “why have you treated us so?”.
“Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.’” — Joseph is called “your father”.
We have been looking for you anxiously” tells us that Simeon’s prophecy is being fulfilled for the first time (Lk. 2: 34–35). The sword of sorrow has pierced her heart.
49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
“And he said to them, ‘How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? [Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?]’” — The Greek text allows for two translations which follow two schools of scholarship, the one given here, which is the translation in the Revised Standard Version, and that of the Jerusalem Bible which is enclosed in square brackets, “Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?”
These are Jesus’ first words in Luke’s Gospel. He declares his true identity; he is God’s Son, doing God’s will.
Jesus was found in the Temple sharing the word of God as his Father’s will. He will enunciate this obligation more clearly later, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” (Lk. 4: 43).
He refers to God as “my Father”, his essential relationship. It is in the Temple, God’s house where God is present, that he makes this self–revelation of who he is. God is his witness.
In verse 48, speaking to Jesus, Joseph is called by Mary “your father”. Jesus makes the point that God is his true father. He is now officially mature, being twelve years of age, and he has to obey God his true father first.
“must” — This word occurs 18 times in Luke’s Gospel. It shows that Jesus sees himself as bound to obey his Father and do his will. Practically that will mean at this stage, as we shall read, that he return to Nazareth and obey his parents.
“The finding of Jesus in the temple is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus. Here Jesus lets us catch a glimpse of the mystery of his total consecration to a mission that flows from his divine sonship: ‘Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s work?’” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 534).
50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.
“And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them” — Mary and Joseph did not understand that God his Father would make unusual demands on him to be obeyed such as staying behind in Jerusalem as they returned home. However, they accepted them in faith.
Lack of proper understanding is a strong point in Luke’s Gospel (Lk. 8: 10; 9: 45; 18: 34). With faith there is always a certain obscurity, some mystery. Vision is reserved for the next life.
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
“And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them” — As mentioned in the commentary on verse 49 this was in keeping with his Father’s will.
This is the last reference to St. Joseph. Jesus is now mature and of legal age. God is his Father and has begun to call upon him. St Joseph’s role is now complete.
“and his mother kept all these things in her heart” — The word that is translated “things” can also be translated “words”.
Mary is shown as the model disciple and believer by reflecting in her heart on the word or action of God in her life or that of others about her.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man” — Jesus matured spiritually and socially.
The first quality of Jesus mentioned is “wisdom”. “Wisdom” was also mentioned in verse 40. This repeated word is what is known as an “inclusio”. This is a literary form which indicates that everything contained between the two references is meant to describe Jesus’ “wisdom”: he knows that God is his Father and that they have an exceptional and unique relationship. He also knows and obeys God’s will.
“This human soul that the Son of God assumed at conception is endowed with a true human knowledge. As such, this knowledge could not in itself be unlimited: it was exercised in the historical conditions of his existence in space and time. This is why the Son of God could, when he became man, ‘increase in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man’, and would even have to inquire for himself about what one in the human condition can learn only from experience. This corresponded to the reality of his voluntary emptying of himself, taking ‘the form of a slave’” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 472).
APPLICATION
1. The story recorded in this passage is probably among the most misinterpreted in the Gospels. At first glance it might seem to be an account of a young and thoughtless boy being very irresponsible towards his parents, being twelve years of age and presuming that he is now a man, and so decides to remain in Jerusalem when he should have been with them on their way home. When they find him, some would interpret his answer to his mother’s question as rude.
Others see in this a passage about family, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who, apart from Jesus, are not mentioned by name. “Parents” are mentioned twice, “mother” twice and “father” once. Looking at the passage from this point of view, the stress is on the obedience of children to their parents. Readers are encouraged to build up the family of God and thus become holy.
2. There is a deeper meaning that offers a rich mine to be explored. In this interpretation the starting point is that the Gospels tell us about Jesus, who he is, his true identity, his personality, his words and his deeds, the reason for his appearance on earth. The fact that Mary and Joseph “did not understand the saying which he spoke to them” makes us cautious that we too might not comprehend the true meaning. We are reminded that “his mother kept all these things in her heart”. She, the true and perfect disciple, meditated and reflected on the words and deeds of her son until she understood, as we should too.
The passage offers clues to help us grasp the meaning. The first words that Jesus spoke in Luke’s Gospel are recorded in this passage, “And he said to them, ‘How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” Here Jesus gives a revelation of who he is, God the Father’s Son. His Father and Jesus have an extra special relationship.
The Archangel Gabriel had already announced that Jesus would be God’s Son (Lk. 1: 35). In the present passage Jesus makes clear that he knows he is the Father’s Son (Lk. 2: 49). As he commences his public ministry with his baptism by John, God the Father will declare from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Lk. 22-23).
Obedience to the Father comes before any other relationships and obligations. It is because of his obedience to his Father’s will that he will obey his earthly parents by going home with them and staying there until his Father calls him to his public ministry. Do we have to question, ‘Do we always have to obey God?’ the answer is obvious. St. Paul refers to this as “the obedience of faith”.
3. Eight points in this passage are, to me, obviously referring to Jesus’ passion and resurrection (Lk. 9: 51 – 24: 52). There is a clear connection.
i) Both sections refer to a journey to Jerusalem.
ii) The Temple is mentioned as important to both.
iii) Jesus is accompanied by his parents in the first and by his disciples in the second. He had already declared that anyone who does his Father’s will is his mother and brother and sister, which can apply to his disciples.
iv) Both episodes took place at the feast of Passover.
v) In the first Jesus was lost. In the second he was led to death and crucified. In Luke 15 death and being lost are identified.
vi) In both he is found after three days
vii) Mary, in the first passage, could not understand why Jesus remained in Jerusalem. In the second passage, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus could not understand why Jesus died.
viii) In both passages Jesus asks why his parents and the two disciples did not know his reason for acting as he did.