Luke 2:47 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

NIV: Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

NASB: And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

CSB: And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

NLT: All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

KJV: And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

NKJV: And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

Luke makes it clear that Jesus' mental and physical development occurred in the same natural way as would any other child (Luke 2:40, 52). His life was entirely free from sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22), but it was also fully human. This means Jesus grew and learned over the course of His life. That He would ask questions, for the purpose of learning (Luke 2:46), is entirely consistent with His incarnate divinity and sinless nature.

At the time of this incident, Jesus is twelve years old, yet His depth of wisdom is noteworthy. This profound insight will continue into His adult ministry—to the frustration of Jerusalem's religious leaders (Mark 1:22; 12:34). In the moment, however, His mother, Mary, will be more frustrated than impressed (Luke 2:48).

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 5/6/2024 8:27:47 AM