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Luke 2:46
ESV After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
NIV After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
NASB Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
CSB After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
NLT Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
KJV And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
NKJV Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

What does Luke 2:46 mean?

Jesus' family left their yearly visit to Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-42) without realizing that He was still in the city (Luke 2:43). The Bible doesn't explain exactly how things were miscommunicated—we only know that Mary and Joseph didn't realize He was still in the city until they arrived at the end of a day's travel (Luke 2:44). It would have taken another day's travel to return to the city, and some time on the third day to locate Jesus. The reference to "after three days" here doesn't mean a complete 72 hours.

In contrast to the concern of His family, Jesus is found calmly discussing Scripture with the teachers in the temple (Luke 2:47). At first, Mary seems upset, suggesting that Jesus has done something wrong (Luke 2:48). Jesus' answer and Luke's editorial comment indicate He did not, even if Mary did not entirely understand what was happening (Luke 2:49, 51).

Though Jesus was entirely free from sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22), being fully human meant growing and learning (Luke 2:40, 52). As an adult, He seemed fond of asking rhetorical questions (Matthew 21:24; Luke 18:19); yet He would also have posed questions to find out information, as would anyone else (Mark 9:21; John 11:34). The queries of this twelve-year-old clearly impress others, specifically as they reveal Jesus' depth of knowledge (Luke 2:47).
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