By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
MATURED
Luke 2:41–52
Bible students will note that each Gospel account emphasizes different details about the life and ministry of Jesus. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) have common accounts yet distinct features within them. Only Matthew and Luke record infancy narratives — snapshots, if you will, of Jesus’ early life.
Luke is the only Gospel writer to record the early temple visits by Jesus as a weeks-old baby and as a 12-year-old boy. To fill the intervening years in his narrative, Luke provides transitional verses or phrases: 1. “when the days of their purification…were finished” (v. 22); 2. “the boy grew up and became strong” (v. 40); and 3. “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature” (v. 52). Jesus was maturing.
In this week’s focal passage, 12-year-old Jesus accompanies Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem. While commentators often tie this event to Jewish bar-mitzvah, Luke emphasizes the Passover as the reason for their journey to Jerusalem.
The cultural focus on Jesus’ transition to adolescence is certainly worthy of consideration within the Luke 2 timeline, especially as Jesus engages the teachers of the law as a true “son of the commandment.” Within this one chapter, Luke highlights Jesus’ early life and His rites of passage: birth, naming and circumcision, temple presentation, and transition to adolescence.
Engaged (41–47)
The reader must recognize that Luke does not deny the deity of Jesus. At the same time, one must acknowledge his emphasis on the full humanity of Jesus. Jesus was both the virgin-conceived Son of God and the adoptive son of Joseph. As such, the references to “his parents” and “your father” in verses 41, 43 and 48 are not to be taken as denials of Jesus’ deity.
Mary and Joseph made their way down toward Jericho before heading northward up the Jordan rift valley on their way home to Galilee. By the time they stopped for their first night, they realized that Jesus was not with them. They must have been beside themselves with worry until they located Him.
By contrast, Jesus was fully engaged in serious conversations with the learned elders: “all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.” Jesus was right where He was supposed to be.
Questioned (48–50)
Questions mark the following verses. First, Mary questions Jesus: “Why have you treated us like this?” As a protective parent, it is a reasonable question (though a middle-school aged son today would likely respond with a shrug and “I don’t know”). Mary mentions that both she and “your father” had been searching anxiously for Him.
As He would do many times in His ministry, Jesus answers a question with a question. He also echoes the word “father” in His question: “Didn’t you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father’s house?” KJV translates this as “…be about my Father’s business.”
Jesus places His spiritual role as a higher priority than earthly relationships. His Father is His highest concern, more than the worries of His adoptive earthly father.
Obedient (51–52)
Jesus “was obedient to them,” that is, to Joseph and Mary. He went down from Jerusalem with them. Note that anyone who leaves Jerusalem goes “down” due to the city’s elevation. They made their way back to Nazareth in Galilee. Verse 52 indicates that this young man grew intellectually, physically, spiritually and socially. Here, Luke’s summary statement fills in the timeline between Jesus at 12 years old and 30 years old.
Paul writes of Jesus becoming “obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).
The writer of Hebrews explains: “Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered” (Heb. 5:8). Both passages point to the deity and humanity of Jesus.
May God grant followers of Jesus continual growth toward maturity in this new year.
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