Luke 2:44 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

NIV: Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.

NASB: Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

CSB: Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.

NLT: because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

KJV: But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

NKJV: but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

In full context, Jesus is nearly His era's age of adulthood (Luke 2:42), travelling with a large group of family on a trip they've made every year (Deuteronomy 16:16) according to Jewish law (Luke 2:41). Jesus, of course, is hardly a typical child—being entirely free from sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22); there would have been good reasons to trust His decision-making. The fact that Mary and Joseph don't realize He's remained in the temple in Jerusalem until the end of the day's journey is awkward, but not a sign of negligence.

It makes sense that Joseph and Mary would start looking for Jesus when they stopped travelling for the night. With so many family members traveling, they likely assumed He was with others during the trip. When it becomes clear Jesus is not there, they will make the trip back to Jerusalem and eventually find Him in the temple (Luke 2:45-46).

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 4/29/2024 7:01:05 PM