Luke 2:42-46

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 2:41-52

We have here the only passage of story recorded concerning our blessed Saviour, from his infancy to the day of his showing to Israel at twenty-nine years old, and therefore we are concerned to make much of this, for it is in vain to wish we had more. Here is, I. Christ's going up with his parents to Jerusalem, at the feast of the passover, Luke 2:41, 42. 1. It was their constant practice to attend there, according to the law, though it was a long journey, and they were poor, and perhaps not... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 2:41-52

2:41-52 Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years of age, they went up according to the custom of the feast, and when they had completed the days of the feast and returned home, the child Jesus stayed on in Jerusalem. His parents were not aware of this. They thought he was in the caravan and when they had gone a day's journey they looked for him amongst their kinsfolk and acquaintances. When they did not find him they turned back to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:42

And when he was twelve years old ,.... Not that he was now, בר מצוה , "a son of the commandment", F18 Aben Ezra in Gen. xvii. 14. to use the Jewish phrase; or now came under the yoke of the law; or was obliged to the duties of adult church membership, as is asserted by some; nor particularly to go to Jerusalem to make his appearance at the feast of the passover, or any other feast: for according to the maxims of the Jews, persons were not obliged to the duties of the law, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:43

And when they had fulfilled the days ,.... The seven days of the fear of unleavened bread, for so many days that feast was observed; and though it was not absolutely necessary, and obligatory upon them to stay all that time at Jerusalem, yet Mary and Joseph seem so to have done, as did the more religious and devout persons: as they returned ; at the time when they were going from Jerusalem home again: the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; being desirous of hearing the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:44

But they supposing him to have been in the company ,.... That travelled together into the same parts, having been, as they, at Jerusalem to keep the feast: went a day's journey ; either before they missed him; or if they missed him sooner, yet they went on inquiring for him in the company, until they were come a day's journey before they thought, or, at least, determined on going back to Jerusalem. The bounds of a day's journey from Jerusalem are said to be F23 Misn. Maaser Sheni, c.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:45

And when they found him not ,.... In the company that came from Jerusalem with them, nor among any of their relations and friends, with whom they supposed he was: they turned back again to Jerusalem , that is, the next morning, for it can hardly be thought they would set out that night, after they had travelled all day, without taking some repose: seeking him ; at Jerusalem, in the streets and broad places of it; a figure of the church and ordinances, where souls look for, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:46

And it came to pass, that after three days ,.... From their first setting out from Jerusalem, when Jesus tarried behind; or on the third day, which may be reckoned thus; the first day was spent in journeying, and the second in coming back the same journey, and the third day they sought all Jerusalem for him, when they found him in the temple ; his Father's house, the house of God, a figure of a Gospel church, where the word and ordinances are duly administered, and where Christ is to be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:43

Had fulfilled the days - Eight days in the whole: one was the passover, and the other seven, the days of unleavened bread. See on Matthew 26:2 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:44

Supposing him to have been in the company - Some have supposed that the men and women marched in separate companies on these occasions, which is very likely; and that sometimes the children kept company with the men, sometimes with the women. This might have led to what otherwise seems to have been inexcusable carelessness in Joseph and Mary. Joseph, not seeing Jesus in the men's company, might suppose he was with his mother in the women's company; and Mary, not seeing him with her, might... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:45

Seeking him - Ζητουντες αυτον - or rather, seeking him diligently, αναζητουντες . This is the reading of BCDL, six others, Vulgate, and nine copies of the Itala. If they sought earnestly when they first found him missing, there is little doubt that their solicitude and diligence must be greatly increased during his three days' absence, therefore the word which I have adopted, on the above authority, is more likely to be the true reading than the ζητουντες of the common text, which... read more

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