Luke 2:43 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

NIV: After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.

NASB: and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it.

CSB: After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

NLT: After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first,

KJV: And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

NKJV: When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;

Deuteronomy 16:16 lists the feasts during which all eligible males were required assemble. Jesus' earthly family raised Him in obedience to the Law of Moses (Luke 2:21–22, 39). During one of these trips to Jerusalem, Jesus remains behind in the temple while his family's large travelling group begins the trip back to Nazareth. This will result in some tense searching and an eventual reunion (Luke 2:46).

Modern readers may struggle to understand how Joseph and Mary could leave the city without Jesus, let alone not realize He is missing for an entire day (Luke 2:44). The fact that they travel in a party matters, since it's likely children and family rambled around within the group. In ancient culture, children also matured much more quickly than in modern societies—Jesus is nearly the traditional Jewish age of adulthood. Lastly—and most importantly—the Child in question is the only one in history to have never sinned (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22). Adults in His family would have every reason to trust Him, even if they weren't sure what He was doing at the time.

Scripture doesn't say that Jesus lied or ran away to stay in the city. How, exactly, His family misunderstood what was happening is not made clear, either. Though Mary initially thought Jesus was in the wrong (Luke 2:48, 50), Jesus seems to have thought His presence in the temple was obvious (Luke 2:49).

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.