Luke 2:39 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

NIV: When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

NASB: And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

CSB: When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

NLT: When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.

KJV: And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

NKJV: So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

Just prior to Jesus' birth, His mother and adoptive father travelled to Bethlehem to comply with a government-ordered census (Luke 2:1–5). There, Mary gave birth and presumably stayed for some time while recovering. Joseph and Mary were careful to follow all the instructions given in the Law of Moses. This included having Jesus circumcised when He was eight days old (Luke 2:21). It also meant making sacrifices for ritual purification about a month later (Leviticus 12:4, 6). Purification was done at the temple in Jerusalem, not far from Bethlehem (Luke 2:22–24).

Based on this context, it seems that Joseph and Mary remained in Bethlehem from the time of Jesus' birth until after these requirements had all been completed. Old Testament prophecy indicated that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, of the line of David (Micah 5:2; Jeremiah 23:5). Jewish Scripture does not record an explicit statement that the Christ would be known as a resident of Nazareth. However, cultural prejudice of the time sneered at Nazareth as backwards and too closely connected to the Roman garrison stationed there (John 1:46). That Jesus will grow up in Nazareth corresponds to Old Testament predictions about Messiah being despised and looked down on by His peers (Psalm 22:6; Isaiah 49:7; 53:3). Further, Isaiah 11:1 uses the Hebrew term for "branch," nē'ser, which implies something lowly or common. That the Messiah was raised in the despised town of Nazareth fulfilled those subtle prophecies in the eyes of other writers, such as Matthew (Matthew 2:23).

Luke 2:39–52 relates Scripture's only record of an event in Jesus' life occurring between His infancy and adulthood. His family travels to Jerusalem for a feast. When returning, Mary and Joseph lose track of Jesus, assuming He is with others in their large group. Once they realize He's missing, they find Him in the temple having a deep discussion with the teachers there. Jesus refers to the temple as His "Father's house," and the family returns to Nazareth. After this, Jesus grows and develops much the same as any other young boy.

The early part of this chapter is famously read at Christmas, while celebrating the birth of Jesus. Luke gives a relatively brief description of how Mary came to give birth in a stable, laying Jesus in a feeding trough. Nearby shepherds are informed of the news by multiple angels. Two people speak in praise of God at Jesus' circumcision. Years later, Joseph and Mary lose track of Jesus on the way back from Jerusalem, only to find Him astounding teachers in the temple with His wisdom.

Luke began his well-organized account by explaining the conceptions of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist, in chapter 1. In chapter 2, he briefly summarizes Jesus' birth and the arrival of shepherds directed by angels. Prophecies and prayers celebrate His dedication at the temple. After briefly losing track of a twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple, Jesus' parents take Him home to Nazareth. There, He grows up relatively normally. Chapter 3 leaps forward many years to the beginning of John the Baptist's preaching. This is followed by Jesus' genealogy. Chapter 4 relates Jesus' temptations by Satan and the start of His public ministry.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.