Luke 2:49 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

NIV: Why were you searching for me?' he asked. 'Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?'

NASB: And He said to them, 'Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?'

CSB: "Why were you searching for me? " he asked them. "Didn't you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father's house? "

NLT: But why did you need to search?' he asked. 'Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?'

KJV: And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

NKJV: And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

The Bible offers few details about Jesus' early life, other than some of the events captured here in the gospel of Luke (Luke 1:1–4). One subject left unaddressed is how Mary's neighbors reacted to her unusual pregnancy (Luke 1:34–35; Matthew 1:18–21). Even as an adult, rumors seem to have swirled about Jesus' conception (John 8:19, 41). Since Jesus experienced the growth and learning normal to a child (Luke 2:40, 52), some speculate that Mary did not immediately tell Him about His birth. The comment He makes here, however, at least hints that Jesus knows who His Father truly is.

Mary referred to Joseph as Jesus' "father" (Luke 2:48), which is entirely appropriate given their adoptive relationship. She is frustrated to have found Jesus calmly dialoguing in the temple, after being discovered missing a full day after the family left Jerusalem (Luke 2:41–46). Jesus' reference to His Father is much more significant. The temple is the "house" of God (1 Kings 8:17, 20). That Jesus identifies God as His "Father" implies an awareness of His divine nature (John 1:34; 2:16; 1 John 4:15). These are the earliest spoken words recorded from Jesus, and they reflect the most important aspect of His identity.

Jesus is not asking why Mary and Joseph were looking for Him, in general. Rather, He is suggesting that the temple is the only place they should have expected Him to be. In that context, they didn't need to "search" for Him, they should have gone directly to where He naturally would have been.

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.