Luke 2:41 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

NIV: Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.

NASB: His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

CSB: Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

NLT: Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.

KJV: Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

NKJV: His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

Here, again, we see Jesus' earthly parents living in obedience to God's commands. They raised Him according to requirements given in the Old Testament (Luke 2:21, 22). One mandate was for capable Jews to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, three times a year, for certain festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). Mary and Joseph continue this obedience as Jesus matures (Luke 2:40). Since all eligible males are supposed to make this trip, it's likely that Jesus' family is travelling in a relatively large group. Group travel would have factored into this famous incident in Jesus' life.

The Feast of Passover is Israel's remembrance of deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This is described in Exodus 12:43–49.

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 5:46:48 AM