Luke 2:46 - Printer Friendly

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.

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).

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.