The Boy Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:41-52
Luke.2.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- επορευοντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γονεις: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- κατ᾽ετος: ADV
- εις: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εορτη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πασχα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 16:16 (structural): Prescribes the annual pilgrimage to the central sanctuary for the appointed festivals (including Passover), providing the Torah basis for families 'going up' to Jerusalem.
- Exodus 23:14-17 (thematic): Commands the three yearly feasts when Israelites must appear before the LORD, paralleling Luke’s depiction of yearly travel to Jerusalem for the Passover.
- John 2:13 (verbal): Uses similar language of Jesus going up to Jerusalem at Passover, echoing the pilgrimage motif and calendar-setting found in Luke 2:41.
- John 7:10 (thematic): Describes Jesus (and others) going up to the feast in Jerusalem, paralleling the narrative pattern of traveling to Jerusalem for festival observance.
- Psalm 122:1-2 (thematic): Expresses the joy and practice of going to Jerusalem ('Let us go to the house of the LORD'), resonating with Luke’s depiction of annual festival pilgrimage.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now his parents went up to Jerusalem every year for the festival of the Passover.
- Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year for the festival of the Passover.
Luke.2.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οτε: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ετων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- δωδεκα: NUM,acc,pl,m
- αναβαινοντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,masc
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- κατα: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εθος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εορτης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 2:41 (structural): Immediate context in the same pericope: the parents routinely went up to Jerusalem for the feast (Passover), which sets the scene for verse 42's reference to the annual pilgrimage.
- Deuteronomy 16:16 (thematic): Law prescribing that all Israelite males appear before the LORD three times a year at the appointed festivals—background for the Jewish custom of going up to the feast mentioned in Luke.
- Exodus 23:14–17 (thematic): Instruction about keeping the appointed feasts and 'going up' to them three times a year; parallels the pilgrimage language and cultic rhythm that explain Joseph and Mary's annual trip.
- 1 Samuel 1:24–28; 3:1–4 (thematic): Narrative of Hannah dedicating the young Samuel to the house of the LORD and Samuel's service/appearance in the sanctuary as a boy—parallels the motif of a boy's presence and activity in the sacred precincts (as Jesus later is found in the temple).
Alternative generated candidates
- And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.
- And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast.
Luke.2.43 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τελειωσαντων: PART,aor,act,gen,pl,masc
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- υποστρεφειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- υπεμεινεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παις: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγνωσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γονεις: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 2:44 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel—continues the same travel scene and uses similar language about the family journey and the assumption that Jesus was with the company.
- Luke 2:45 (structural): Direct narrative continuation—describes the discovery that Jesus was missing and the parents' subsequent search, completing the episode begun in v.43.
- Luke 2:49 (thematic): Jesus' later explanation ('Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?') interprets his remaining behind in Jerusalem as driven by his relation to God's business.
- 1 Samuel 2:18-21 (allusion): The young Samuel 'ministered before the LORD' and was dedicated to temple service as a boy—a thematic parallel of a holy boy remaining/growing in proximity to the sanctuary.
- Luke 15:4-6 (thematic): The motif of searching for the lost (the shepherd seeking the lost sheep) echoes the parents' anxious search for the missing child and highlights the theme of seeking and finding.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the days were completed, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
- When the days were completed, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
Luke.2.44 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- νομισαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- συνοδια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ανεζητουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- συγγενευσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- γνωστοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 2:43-45 (structural): Immediate context: describes the same action — Mary and Joseph assumed Jesus was in the traveling party and, after a day's journey, began searching for him among relatives and acquaintances.
- Luke 2:46-50 (structural): Continuation of the episode: they find Jesus in the temple after three days; includes Mary's reproach and Jesus' reply about being in his Father's house, providing the narrative outcome and theological point to the search.
- Matthew 12:46-50 (thematic): Parallel theme of Jesus' family seeking him while he is teaching; Jesus responds by redefining family in terms of obedience to God, echoing the tension between familial concern and Jesus' mission.
- Mark 3:31-35 (thematic): Synoptic parallel to Matthew 12:46–50: Jesus' mother and brothers arrive to take him away, and Jesus again emphasizes spiritual family, reflecting a recurring motif of family seeking Jesus and misunderstanding his priorities.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thinking he was in the caravan, they traveled on a day's journey and began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
- Thinking he was in the company, they journeyed for a day and searched for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
Luke.2.45 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- ευροντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- υπεστρεψαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αναζητουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 2:44 (structural): Immediate preceding verse describing how Mary and Joseph assumed Jesus was in their travel group—sets up why they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
- Luke 2:46 (structural): Direct follow-up to the search: after three days they found Jesus in the temple, completing the narrative begun in 2:45.
- Luke 2:48 (verbal): Jesus' response to his parents' search ('Why did you seek me?') uses the same verb for seeking (ζητεῖτε), thematically linking the seeking motif in the episode.
- Luke 15:4-6 (thematic): Parable of the lost sheep where the shepherd seeks the lost—the episode in Luke 2 shares the broader Lucan theme of seeking and finding the lost.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
- And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to seek him.
Luke.2.46 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- μετα: PREP
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- τρεις: NUM,acc,pl,f
- ευρον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ιερω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- καθεζομενον: PART,pres,mid,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- μεσω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- διδασκαλων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ακουοντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- επερωτωντα: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- αυτους·: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 2:49 (verbal): Direct continuation of the same incident—Jesus explains his presence in the temple as being 'about my Father's business,' clarifying motive for sitting among the teachers.
- Luke 2:52 (thematic): Summarizes the outcome of episodes like 2:46: Jesus 'increased in wisdom,' linking the temple dialogue to his intellectual and spiritual growth.
- 1 Samuel 2:18 (thematic): Parallels the motif of a boy serving/being present in the sanctuary; Samuel as a youth ministering before the LORD echoes a young figure active in the holy place.
- John 7:15 (thematic): Expresses the same astonishment at Jesus' understanding and teaching despite lack of formal rabbinic training—similar reaction implied by Jesus' engagement with temple teachers.
- John 8:2-9 (structural): Depicts Jesus teaching and disputing in the temple courts among religious teachers and listeners, a comparable scene of public instruction and debate in the temple setting.
Alternative generated candidates
- After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
- After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
Luke.2.47 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εξισταντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ακουοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- συνεσει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- αποκρισεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 2:46 (structural): Immediate context: Jesus is found in the temple sitting among teachers, asking questions; verse 47 follows as the natural reaction—listeners amazed at his understanding and answers.
- Mark 6:2 (verbal): People in Jesus’ hometown are astonished by his teaching and wisdom—’What is this wisdom given unto him?’—closely parallels the reaction to his understanding in Luke 2:47.
- Matthew 13:54-55 (verbal): On returning to Nazareth Jesus’ hearers are ’astonished’ and ask where he got his wisdom and mighty works, echoing the amazement at his understanding and answers.
- John 7:15 (thematic): Jewish listeners express surprise at Jesus’ learning despite no formal schooling—a thematically similar expression of astonishment at his understanding.
- Isaiah 11:2-3 (allusion): The figure endowed with wisdom and understanding from the Spirit evokes the motif of extraordinary insight in a young figure, a background motif for Luke’s portrayal of the boy Jesus’ remarkable wisdom.
Alternative generated candidates
- And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
- All who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers.
Luke.2.48 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ιδοντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εξεπλαγησαν: VERB,aor,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μητηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου·Τεκνον: PRON,gen,3,sg,m;NOUN,voc,sg,n
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εποιησας: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- ουτως: ADV
- ιδου: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- οδυνωμενοι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,pl,m
- εζητουμεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,pl
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
Parallels
- Luke 2:46 (structural): Immediate preceding verse: parents search for and then find Jesus in the temple—sets the narrative context for Mary’s rebuke.
- Luke 2:49 (verbal): Jesus’ direct reply to Mary ('Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?') responds to her question and frames the tension between parental care and his divine mission.
- 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (thematic): Samuel, a boy serving in the sanctuary who is found and called by God—parallel of a young boy in the sacred space and divine vocation.
- Matthew 12:46-50 (thematic): Jesus is informed that his mother and brothers are seeking him and he redefines family in terms of obedience to God—echoes the tension between earthly parental concern and Jesus’ priority to his Father’s work.
- John 19:25-27 (thematic): At the cross Jesus addresses his mother, showing filial concern while also reordering relational responsibilities—another episode highlighting mother–son dynamics amid Jesus’ mission.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us so? See—your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
- When his parents saw him, they were amazed. His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us so? Look—your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
Luke.2.49 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτους·Τι: PRON,acc,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εζητειτε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηδειτε: VERB,impf,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
Parallels
- John 2:16-17 (verbal): Jesus calls the temple 'my Father's house' while cleansing it; uses the same household language and links his authority in the temple to his relationship with the Father.
- Matthew 21:12-13 (thematic): Jesus clears the temple and declares it a house of prayer, echoing the concern for proper use of the Father's house and Jesus' authority over temple matters.
- Psalm 69:9 (quotation): 'Zeal for your house consumes me' (OT background cited in John 2:17) provides the theological backdrop for Jesus' identification with and purpose in the Father's house.
- Luke 3:22 (thematic): At Jesus' baptism God addresses him as Son ('You are my beloved Son'), underpinning the filial language 'my Father's house' and Jesus' self-understanding and mission tied to the Father.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to them, "Why were you seeking me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
- And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Luke.2.50 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- ου: PART,neg
- συνηκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ρημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ελαλησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
Parallels
- Mark 9:32 (verbal): Uses nearly identical wording about the disciples' failure to understand a saying of Jesus ('they did not understand the saying'), linking lack of comprehension with Jesus' predictions about his death and rising.
- Luke 18:34 (verbal): In the same Gospel Luke twice remarks that Jesus' followers did not understand his words (here regarding his passion); the phrasing and function (hiddenness of Jesus' sayings) closely parallel Luke 2:50.
- John 12:16 (thematic): Notes the disciples' initial failure to grasp Jesus' meaning and how understanding comes only after Jesus is glorified—thematising delayed comprehension of Jesus' identity and mission.
- Luke 24:45 (structural): Provides the converse resolution within Luke: where disciples once did not understand Jesus' words (e.g., 2:50), Jesus later 'opens their minds' so they can understand the Scriptures, showing narrative movement from misunderstanding to insight.
Alternative generated candidates
- But they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.
- But they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.
Luke.2.51 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- κατεβη: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- μετ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- Ναζαρεθ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- υποτασσομενος: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μητηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- διετηρει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- καρδια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 2:19 (verbal): Earlier sentence in the same infancy narrative: Mary 'kept all these things, pondering them in her heart'—virtually the same motif repeated in 2:51.
- Luke 2:52 (thematic): Immediate summary of Jesus' development—'and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man'—connects his obedience/submission to parents with his growth in wisdom and favor.
- Exodus 20:12 (quotation): The fifth commandment 'Honor your father and your mother' provides the Judaic law/background for Jesus' submission to his earthly parents.
- Ephesians 6:1-3 (thematic): Paulic instruction for children to obey and honor parents, citing the promise attached to the fifth commandment—reflects the early Christian ideal exemplified by Jesus' subjection.
- Colossians 3:20 (thematic): Brief New Testament admonition 'Children, obey your parents in everything' parallels the theme of filial obedience embodied in Jesus' behavior in Nazareth.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them; and his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
- Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Luke.2.52 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προεκοπτεν: VERB,imperf,act,ind,3,sg
- σοφια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ηλικια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- χαριτι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- παρα: PREP
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 2:40 (structural): An earlier summary of Jesus’ childhood: ‘the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him’ — essentially the same themes of growth in wisdom, stature, and divine favor.
- 1 Samuel 2:26 (verbal): Samaritan/Septuagint and MT language parallels: ‘The boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men,’ closely echoing Luke’s wording and concept.
- Proverbs 3:3-4 (thematic): Promises that steadfast love and faithfulness will win ‘favor and a good name in the sight of God and man,’ paralleling Luke’s note that Jesus grew ‘in favor with God and man.’
- Hebrews 5:8 (thematic): Speaks of the Son ‘learning obedience’ through experience; thematically connects to Luke’s emphasis on Jesus’ progressive growth in wisdom, maturity, and relationship with God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.
- And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
When the days were completed, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem; but his parents did not know it.
Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day and began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
All who heard him were astonished at his understanding and at his answers.
When they saw him they were amazed. His mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us so? Look—your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand the saying he spoke to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.