Luke 2:40-52

Family Bible Study
Professor and Chair, Dept. of Religion and Philosophy, Samford University

Marks of Maturity
Luke 2:40–52

Introduction
This story provides a transition from the miraculous events associated with Jesus’ birth to his active public ministry. It’s more than a description of the move from infancy to adolescence and then adulthood.

It connects the theological themes associated with the uniqueness of Jesus’ beginnings to the particular form of His active mission.

The Prelude (39–41)
Luke mentions that after the dutiful dedication of Jesus at the Temple, Mary and Joseph take Jesus home to Nazareth. He then comments that Jesus grew and became strong in “wisdom” and God’s “favor.” Wisdom (sophia) is more than intelligence. It’s an understanding of how particular events fit within a larger and more meaningful order and plan. Favor (charis) refers to a basic goodness and attractiveness derived from a profound moral and religious commitment.

These are usually adult characteristics, but Luke continues the emphasis on Jesus’ extraordinary life. Yet this quality is not pictured in a magical or occult way. According to verse 41, Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem every year to celebrate the Passover feast, which starts on the 14th day of the month of Nisan and concludes eight days latter. During this time, the whole of Israel would commemorate the exodus from Egyptian slavery, pray together, share rituals and meals, and celebrate their relationship with God.
The Search (42–45)
Mary and Joseph’s anxiety is tangible in these verses. It’s not clear exactly how long they were without their son — three days (a day out, a day back, and one day to find him) or perhaps five days (a day out, a day back, and then three days to find him). Probably the former is correct, because it’s doubtful that it would have taken them three days in Jerusalem to find Jesus who was in a public place. Regardless, the reader senses the understandable panic they must have felt; though it’s understated in the story.

The fact that they do not miss Jesus for a day is not a reason to question their care. They were making the 80-mile trip to Nazareth with their extended families, which were accustomed to caring for one another’s children.

Jesus’ Revelation, (46–51)
Luke presents a contrast between Mary and Jesus. Mary asks “why,” and Jesus responds with a “why.” Each question is the right one. Mary asks as a loving mother.

Jesus asks as divinely appointed Son. Prior to this moment, Luke stresses revelations about Jesus — the angels, the virgin birth, the shepherds, and Simeon and Anna. But now, Jesus reveals his own self-understanding.

Even though Mary knows from the angel Gabriel (1:35) that Jesus was to be the Son of God, she does not know exactly how He is to live out that role. She has been meditating on His significance, but now begins to see how His mission is to unfold, for now He makes a special connection to God the Father.

Though this might have been unexpected, it must have made sense to her. She probably had told Him in those 12 years of the special circumstances of His birth; she and Joseph most likely taught Him the Scriptures and how they point to His mission. It is at this point in her rearing of Jesus she must have realized that another Teacher, another and more important Parent was shaping her son.

Luke emphasizes another feature about Jesus, which sets the stage for his future ministry. He is listening and responding to the rabbis about scriptural issues. Even at 12 Jesus thought of himself in terms of the Law and Prophets. Throughout His life, His particular ministry is shaped by His understanding of Scripture (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 5­–7), and His understanding of His death and resurrection is defined by the Law and Prophets (e.g., Luke 24:27). Jesus has such a profound “scriptural world view” that it even impresses the rabbis.

The Epilogue (52)
Luke adds an editorial comment about Jesus’ continual maturity. Though nothing is said about specific events between the ages of 12 and 30 (and because of this silence, it is not fruitful to speculate about these “hidden years”), Jesus continues to grow as He had — in understanding God’s ways within human affairs and in showing a grace and attractiveness to others.