Luke 2:48-50

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:41-52

The Child Jesus at Jerusalem . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:41-52

The visit of Jesus to Jerusalem when a Boy. We now proceed to the solitary circumstance in the Child-life of Jesus which is given in the Gospels. He had been growing for twelve years in strength and in spirit, and the Lord loved him. The Child in Nazareth redeemed in God's eyes all the world. It was the one absorbing interest in the Divine outlook upon our race. And now he is taken by his pious parents to the Passover Feast in Jerusalem. It is his second visit to the temple; this time he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:48

Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. Mary's words have in them something of reproach. Joseph, it is noticeable, stands evidently apart; but the mother, strangely as it would seem at first, associates him in "thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." Had she, then, forgotten the past? Who but Mary could have repeated this sacred memory of her mistake, and of the Boy's far-reaching answer? What forger could have imagined such a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:49

How is it that ye sought me? To the gently veiled reproach of Mary, Jesus replies, apparently with wonderment, with another question. It had come upon him so quietly and yet with such irresistible force that the temple of God was his real earthly home, that he marvelled at his mother's slowness of comprehension. Why should she have been surprised at his still lingering in the sacred courts? Did she not know who he was, and whence he came? Then he added, Wist ye not that I must be about my... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 2:49

The dawn of sacred duty: a sermon to the young. "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" There comes a time in our history—usually in the days of later youth or early manhood—when all things begin to wear a more serious aspect to us; when "the powers of the world to come" arrest us; when we ask ourselves very grave questions; when we have to confront a new future. It is the dawn of sacred duty in the human soul. I. AS IT PRESENTED ITSELF TO JESUS CHRIST .... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:48

Why hast thou thus dealt with us? - Why hast thou given us all this trouble and anxiety, in going so far and returning with so much solicitude?Thy father - Joseph was not the “real” father of Jesus, but he was “legally” so; and as the secret of his birth was not commonly known, he was called his father. Mary, in accordance with that usage, also called him so.Sorrowing - Anxious, lest in the multitude he might not be found, or lest some accident might have happened to him. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:49

How is it ... - “Why” have ye sought me with so much anxiety? “Mary” should have known that the Son of God was safe; that his heavenly Father would take care of him, and that he could do nothing amiss.Wist ye not - “Know ye not.” You had reason to know. You knew my design in coming into the world, and that design was “superior” to the duty of obeying earthly parents, and they should be willing always to give me up to the proper business for which I live.My Father’s business - Some think that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 2:50

They understood not ... - It is remarkable that they did not understand Jesus in this, but it shows how slow persons are to believe. Even his parents, after all that had taken place, did not seem to comprehend that “he” was to be the Saviour of people, or if they did, they understood it in a very imperfect manner. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 2:48-50

Luke 2:48-50. And when they saw him they were amazed The clause, thus rendered, signifies, that Joseph and Mary were amazed when they saw him, but it may be translated, They who saw him were amazed, namely, not his parents only, or chiefly, but others. In this sense Dr. Campbell understands it, as suiting better the scope of the passage. “His parents,” says he, “may be said to have had reason of surprise, or even amazement, when they discovered that he was not in their company; but... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 2:41-52

13. Jesus twelve years old (Luke 2:41-52)Joseph and Mary, being sincere and faithful Jews, went to Jerusalem for the Passover each year. Jesus, who accompanied them on the occasion recorded here, was twelve years old at the time. At this age Jewish boys were being prepared for entrance into the adult affairs of the synagogue (Luke 2:41-42).In the Jewish form of instruction, teacher and student often took turns at asking and answering questions, many of which were concerned with details of the... read more

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