Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 2:42
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
42. when he was twelve years old ] No single word breaks the silence of the Gospels respecting the childhood of Jesus from the return to Nazareth till this time. We infer indeed from scattered hints in Scripture that He “ began to do ” His work before He “ began to teach,” and being “tempted in all points like as we are” won the victory from His earliest years, alike over positive and negative temptations. (Heb 5:8. See Ullmann, Sinlessness of Jesus, E. Tr. p. 140.) Up to this time He had grown as other children grow, only in a childhood of stainless and sinless beauty “as the flower of roses in the spring of the year, and as lilies by the waters,” Sir 39:13-14 . This incident of His ‘confirmation,’ as in modern language we might call it, is “the solitary flowret out of the wonderful enclosed garden of the thirty years, plucked precisely there where the swollen bud at a distinctive crisis bursts into flower.” Stier, Words of Jesus, i. 18.
This silence of the Evangelists is a proof of their simple faithfulness, and is in striking contrast with the blaze of foolish and dishonouring miracles with which the Apocryphal Gospels degrade the Divine Boyhood. See my Life of Christ, 1. 58 66. Meanwhile we are permitted to see (i) That our Lord never attended the schools of the Rabbis (Mar 6:2; Joh 6:42; Joh 7:15), and therefore that His teaching was absolutely original, and that He would therefore be regarded by the Rabbis as a ‘man of the people,’ or ‘unlearned person.’ (See Act 4:13; T. B. Berachth, f. 47. 2; Sir 38:24 fg.) (ii) That He had learnt to write (Joh 8:6). (iii) That He was acquainted not only with Aramaic, but with Hebrew, Greek, and perhaps Latin ( Life of Christ, i. 91); and (iv) That he had been deeply impressed by the lessons of nature (id. i. 93).
twelve years old ] Up to this age a Jewish boy was called ‘little,’ afterwards he was called ‘grown up,’ and became a ‘Son of the Law,’ or ‘Son of the Precepts.’ At this age he was presented on the Sabbath called the ‘Sabbath of Phylacteries’ in the Synagogue, and began to wear the phylacteries with which his father presented him. According to the Jews twelve was the age at which Moses left the house of Pharaoh’s daughter, and Samuel was called, and Solomon gave his judgment, and Josiah carried out his reform. (Jos. Antt. ii. 9. 6, v. 10. 4.)
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Twelve years old – All males among the Hebrews were required to appear three times a year before God, to attend on the ordinances of religion in the temple, and it is probable that this was the age at which they first went up to Jerusalem, Exo 23:14-17; Deu 16:16.
To Jerusalem – Where the feasts of the Jews were all held. This was a journey from Nazareth of about 70 miles.
After the custom of the feast – According to the usual manner of the feast.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
It is said by those who are learned in the Jewish writings, that till a child was of this age he was not obliged by the law to go. We have in Scripture nothing to ascertain us in the case; it is certain that our Saviour went at this age,
after the custom of the feast, that is, so as to be there about the fourteenth day of the month Nisan.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
42. went up“were wont togo.” Though males only were required to go up to Jerusalem atthe three annual festivals (Ex23:14-17), devout women, when family duties permitted, went also,as did Hannah (1Sa 1:7), and, aswe here see, the mother of Jesus.
when twelve years oldAtthis age every Jewish boy was styled “a son of the law,”being put under a course of instruction and trained to fasting andattendance on public worship, besides being set to learn a trade. Atthis age accordingly our Lord is taken up for the first time toJerusalem, at the passover season, the chief of the three annualfestivals. But oh, with what thoughts and feelings must this Youthhave gone up! Long ere He beheld it, He had doubtless “loved thehabitation of God’s house and the place where His honor dwelt”(Ps 26:8), a love nourished, wemay be sure, by that “word hid in His heart,” with which inafterlife He showed so perfect a familiarity. As the time for Hisfirst visit approached, could one’s ear have caught the breathings ofHis young soul, he might have heard Him whispering, “As the hartpanteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings ofJacob. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house ofthe Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem!”(Psa 42:1; Psa 87:2;Psa 122:1; Psa 122:2).On catching the first view of “the city of their solemnities,”and high above all in it, “the place of God’s rest,” wehear Him saying to Himself, “Beautiful for situation, the joy ofthe whole earth is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city ofthe great King: Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God dothshine” (Psa 48:2; Psa 50:2).Of His feelings or actions during all the eight days of the feast nota word is said. As a devout child, in company with its parents, Hewould go through the services, keeping His thoughts to Himself. Butmethinks I hear Him, after the sublime services of that feast, sayingto Himself, “He brought me to the banqueting house, and hisbanner over me was love. I sat down under his shadow with greatdelight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste” (Son 2:3;Son 2:4).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when he was twelve years old,…. Not that he was now, , “a son of the commandment”, r to use the Jewish phrase; or now came under the yoke of the law; or was obliged to the duties of adult church membership, as is asserted by some; nor particularly to go to Jerusalem to make his appearance at the feast of the passover, or any other feast: for according to the maxims of the Jews, persons were not obliged to the duties of the law, or subject to the penalties of it in case of non-performance, until they were, a female, at the age of twelve years, and one day, and a male, at the age of thirteen years, and one day; but then they used to train up their children, and inure them to religious exercises before: as for instance, though they were not obliged to fast on the day of atonement, until they were at the age before mentioned; yet, they used them to it two or three year’s before, as they were able to endure it: a son of nine, or ten years old, they train him up by hours; they make him fast so many hours; and one of eleven, or “twelve years old”, they make him fast a whole day: but then this was not law, but custom; and which they observed, that they might be used to the commandments s, and be expert in them, and ready to perform them when required. It is said, t that
“there was a good custom in Jerusalem to make their little sons and daughters fast on a fast day; the son of a year, till the very day he is “twelve years old”, when he fasts the whole day; and after that they carry him, and bring him before every ancient man, that he may bless him, and confirm him, and pray over him, that he may be worthy in the law, and in good works; and: every one that is greater than he in the city, he stands up from his place, and goes before him, and bows to him, to pray for him: and this is to learn him, that they are beautiful, and their works beautiful and acceptable to God; and they did not use to leave their little children behind them, but brought them to the synagogues, , “that they might be ready in the commandments”.”
That they might be inured to them, and expert in them, when they were under obligation to them; for they were not properly under the law, until they were arrived to the age above mentioned; nor were they reckoned adult church members till then, nor then neither, unless worthy persons: for so it is said u,
“he that is worthy, at thirteen years of age, is called
, “a son of the congregation of Israel”;”
that is, a member of the church. When therefore Joseph and Mary took Jesus along with them, at this age,
when they went up to Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast of the passover, it shows their religious regard to him; and may be an instruction to parents, to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, after their example.
r Aben Ezra in Gen. xvii. 14. s Misn. Yoma, c. 8. sect. 4. & Maimon. & Bartenora in ib. T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 82. 1. Maimon. Hilch. Shebitat Asur, c. 2. sect. 10, 11. t Massechet Sopherim, c. 18. sect. 5. u Zohar in Exod. fol. 39. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Twelve years old ( ). Predicate genitive. Luke does not say that Jesus had not been to Jerusalem before, but at twelve a Jewish boy became a “son of the law” and began to observe the ordinances, putting on the phylacteries as a reminder.
They went up ( ). Genitive absolute with present active participle, a loose construction here, for the incident narrated took place after they had gone up, not while they were gong up. “On their usual going up” (Plummer).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Twelve years old. At which age he was known as a son of the law, and came under obligation to observe the ordinances personally.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when he was twelve years old,” (kai hote egeneto eton dodeka) “And when he (Jesus) became twelve years of age,” at which time a Jewish boy was called “a son of the law,” and taught a trade, at which age he was also catechized and began fasting, and saying prescribed prayers, and wearing phylacteries like adult men, as keepers of the law.
2) “They went up to Jerusalem,” (anabaimonton auton) “As they went up,” or were going up, from Nazareth of Galilee, to Jerusalem in Judaea, where the temple was located. The “they” refers to Joseph, Mary, and their family, Exo 23:14-17; 1Sa 1:7.
3) “After the custom of the feast.” (kata to ethos tes heartes) “According to the custom of the feast.” The women were not required to do this, her piety and her knowledge of Jesus, as His only earthly parent, led her to go.
It is likely that Jesus, like David, had come to be happy when His parents said, “Let us go into the house of the Lord,” each year, Psa 122:2-3; Zec 8:21-22. Yet some believe that this was Jesus’ first trip to Jerusalem for the Passover.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(42)When he was twelve years old.The stages of Jewish childhood were marked as follows:At three the boy was weaned, and wore for the first time the fringed or tasselled garment prescribed by Num. 15:38-41, and Deu. 22:12. His education began, at first under the mothers care. At five he was to learn the Law, at first by extracts written on scrolls of the more important passages, the Shemk or Creed of Deu. 2:4, the Hallel or Festival Psalms (Psalms 114-118, 136), and by catechetical teaching in school. At twelve he became more directly responsible for his obedience to the Law, and on the day when he attained the age of thirteen, put on for the first time the phylacteries which were worn at the recital of his daily prayer. (See Note on Mat. 23:5.) It was accordingly an epoch of transition analogous to that which obtains among us at Confirmation. It was, therefore in strict accordance with usage, with perhaps a slight anticipation of the actual day, that the child Jesus should, at the age of twelve, have gone up with His parents to Jerusalem. If the conjecture suggested in the Notes on Luk. 2:8, that the birth of our Lord coincided with the Paschal Season, be accepted, He may actually have completed His thirteenth year during the Feast; and so have become, in the fullest sense, one of the children of the Law, bound to study it and know its meaning. This at least fits in with, and in fact explains, the narrative that follows. In the later Maxims of the Fathers (Pirke Aboth) two other stages of education were marked out. At ten, a boy was to enter on the study of the Mischna (= comments), or body of traditional interpretations of the Law; at eighteen, on that of the Gemara (= completeness), or wider collection of sayings or legends, which, with the Mischna, made up what is known as the Talmud (= learning, or doctrine).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
42. Twelve years old At twelve the Jewish child was called the “son of the law,” and was held subject to its precepts. At this age, therefore, and probably for the first time, Jesus obeys the law to attend the Passover. The scenes of this great festival, of which he was himself the predicted subject, and in which he was himself at his crucifixion to perform so sorrowful and so finishing a part, must have opened his mind wonderfully, and have brought his soul to a sublime excitement.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast, and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it.’
Every Jewish boy came of age at thirteen from which point on he was looked on as a responsible adult and expected to fulfil his religious responsibilities, becoming ‘a son of the Law’. Thus the Rabbis recommended that boys who were approaching that age be brought to the feasts so that they could become acquainted with the atmosphere and with what went on.
So when Jesus was twelve His parents took Him up to the Feast of the Passover, and once the seven days of unleavened bread were over they set off to return to Nazareth with a large group of Galileans.
What happened appears to indicate that on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, on which would also be all their relatives, it was quite normal during the festivities for boys of twelve, who were seen as almost mature, to go around together enjoying the festival (compare modern older teen-agers who would not want to be tied to their parents), and when hungry or tired, to stay with one or other of their relatives whose son(s) would be one of them. Then, of course, when it was time to go back home, whoever they were with could be expected to see that they were included in the caravan. This is really the only explanation as to why Jesus had not been missed, and why they set off without Him. They had had confidence in Him that He would not get up to mischief, and in their relatives that whoever He was staying with would ensure that He was properly looked after and would set off back for Galilee with them. Probably in previous years this had worked very well. What they had not taken into account, and what Jesus considered that they ought to have taken into account, was that now that He was almost ‘of age’ it was necessary for Him to go to His Father’s house to learn of Him.
In such caravans the men would often walk together in a large group, while the women went ahead in front, and this may well have been why they did not ask each other where Jesus was. Joseph may have thought that Jesus had joined up with Mary, and Mary may have thought that He had joined up with Joseph. Or both may have been satisfied that He would be with relatives. But although they did not know it Jesus had lingered in Jerusalem, for He had gone to the Temple and was listening to the great teachers. It seems that He just assumed that when His parents wanted Him they would come for Him there because in His view ‘they should know that He was there’.
But we may ask as to whether a boy, even though a ‘mature’ boy (pais), would really remain in the Temple day and night for three days without going back to His parents. There could only be two reasons why this was feasible; either it was normal for boys of his age to go about with boys of their own age during such festivals, sleeping where they liked and obtaining food from different relatives who would be there, or even from generous pilgrims, so that He did not see this as unusual, or because He had in fact tried to go back to His parents, only to discover that they had disappeared. This would leave Him having to find something to do until they came back for Him. Being what He was He thus went back to the Temple confident that His Father would watch over Him.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 2:42. And when he was twelve years old To shew how eminent Jesus was for his wisdom even in his childhood, the evangelist gives us the remarkable instance here recorded. When he was twelve years of age his parents carried him up to the passover, with a view to instil an early regard for religion and its precepts into his tender mind. See Exo 34:23. Deu 16:16. It is generally allowed by learned men, that twelve was the age when young people, according to the Jewish maxims, came under the yoke of the law. See Lightfoot’s Hor. Heb. on the place, and Wotton’s Miscel. vol. 1: p. 320.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Ver. 42. And when he was twelve years old ] What he did from his infancy hitherto, the Scripture is silent; Papists feign many idle relations, and thereby expose us to the jeers of Jewish and Turkish miscreants. Where the Scripture hath no tongue, we must have no ears.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
42. ] At the age of twelve, a boy was called by the Jews , ‘ son of the law ,’ and first incurred legal obligation. At that time, then, commences the second step (see note on Luk 2:52 ) of the life of the Lord, the time when the for Him began; his course of blameless legal obedience (see note on Luk 2:21 ) in his own person and by his own will. Now first ( Luk 2:49 ) appear those higher consciousnesses to have found expression, which unfolded within Him, till the full time of his public ministry arrived. It cannot be inferred from this narrative, that it was the first time the holy Child had accompanied them to the Passover.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 2:42 . : this mention of the age of Jesus is meant to suggest, though it is not directly stated, that this year He went up to Jerusalem with His parents; includes Him. At twelve a Jewish boy became a son of the law, with the responsibility of a man, putting on the phylacteries which reminded of the obligation to keep the law ( vide Wnsche, Beitrge, ad loc. ).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
twelve years old : when every Jewish boy becomes “a son of the law “If they performed “all things” according to the Law, Joseph had paid the five shekels redemption money (Num 3:47; Num 3:18, Num 3:16), which gave Joseph the legal right to be reckoned the “father”, claiming the obedience shown in Luk 2:51. See notes on Luk 2:45, and Luk 3:23, which, thus explain the genealogy there.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
42.] At the age of twelve, a boy was called by the Jews , son of the law, and first incurred legal obligation. At that time, then, commences the second step (see note on Luk 2:52) of the life of the Lord, the time when the for Him began; his course of blameless legal obedience (see note on Luk 2:21) in his own person and by his own will. Now first (Luk 2:49) appear those higher consciousnesses to have found expression, which unfolded within Him, till the full time of his public ministry arrived. It cannot be inferred from this narrative, that it was the first time the holy Child had accompanied them to the Passover.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 2:42. , twelve years old) This step in the age must doubtless have had something remarkable connected with it in the case of pious boys, judging from the blessed example of the Saviour, who was wont to adapt Himself to the times of human age (to the epochs observed in the life of man): ch. Luk 3:23. No doubt from that time He every year came to the Passover. [Moreover the specimen of His glory given in this passage, dividing as it does the period of thirty years that elapsed from the nativity to the baptism of Christ into two almost equal parts, revived the remembrance of those miraculous facts (connected with His birth), the forgetting of which might otherwise have seemed to admit of excuse.-Harm., p. 59.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Reciprocal: Exo 23:17 – General 1Sa 1:22 – then Luk 4:16 – as Joh 4:45 – for
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE TEMPLE AND THE HOME
When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem. And He went down with them, and was subject unto them.
Luk 2:42-51
In this passage we learn something of Christ when He was young. We read the only circumstance recorded of His early years (cf. Isa 53:2). We hear His first words, Wist ye not that I must be about My Fathers business?words that involve the principle for all our lives. Where could we find such a picture of early piety on earth? We may see it in four things:
I. In His fulfilling the law.The law said all males were to attend the three great feasts at Jerusalem. They were not be afraid of leaving home (Exo 34:24; Deu 16:16). He had been circumcised, and now, at twelve years, keeps the Passover. Thus early does He show obedience to His heavenly Father (1Sa 15:22; Heb 5:8; 1Pe 1:2; 1Pe 1:14; Psa 119:35).
II. In His loving Gods house and teaching.After the caravan has gone one days journey, Christ is missing (Luk 2:44-45). Where is He found? (Luk 2:46; Psa 27:4; Psa 63:1-2; Psa 84:10). We often lose sight of Him in the world, and find Him in the sanctuary (see Illustration). But what is He doing there? (Luk 2:46). Hearing and asking (2Ti 2:15). Thus early does He show a thirst for heavenly things.
III. In His obeying His parents (Luk 2:51).He went down with them, and was subject unto them (Eph 5:21; Eph 6:1-2). He seems to have followed Josephs trade (Mar 6:3). A son honoureth his father (Mal 1:6). What does the Bible teach us about this? (Exo 20:12; Lev 19:3; Pro 1:8-9; Pro 4:20-22; Pro 23:22; Col 3:20). From His earliest years was Jesus obedient to His parents.
IV. In His advancing in grace.We must not forget that our Lord was perfect man; and so, as His mind unfolded itself, He increased in wisdom (Pro 4:1-13). But further, in favour with God (Col 1:10; 2Pe 3:18). That is the chief point (2Co 5:9). In favour with manthat will follow (Act 7:9-10; Rom 14:18).
What an example is there here! His teachableness (Isa 50:4). His obedience (Joh 4:34). His love (Joh 13:34). Jesus says, Follow Me.
Bishop Rowley Hill.
Illustration
Perhaps some have felt that, amid all the questions and controversies of the day, the personal love of the Lord Jesus seems to have slipped away from them altogether. Now if this be the case, remember, again, the perplexity of Joseph and His mother. They lost Him, and they were greatly upset; but they found Him. Was He among their kinsfolk and acquaintance? No. Many of us may go to those whom we know by relationship and ask questions about religion and get chilled. Let us go back to the old blessings of communion with the Saviour. If you want to get back to a personal love of your Saviour and to a knowledge that He is near you and dear to you, and you are dear to Him, go back to Jerusalem, and get into the Temple, and you will find Him there. A very celebrated and learned scientist said: I have given up religion now for nearly thirty years, but somehow or other when I kneel down and say prayers that my mother taught me I feel at home with God. Get back to the Templeto Jerusalem. Give yourselves a chance amid the associations that are replete with God. Let the old music of the Psalms, which the Lord must have heard, call you back to your true home and to your true loveyour Saviour.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
2
Joseph took his wife and child Jesus with him on the occasion when the child was twelve years old. Whether they always went with him we are not told.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
[And when he was twelve years old.] “Let a man deal gently with his son till he come to be twelve years old: but from that time, let him descend with him into his way of living “: that is, let him diligently, and with severity (if need be), keep him close to that way, rule, or art, by which he may get his living.
At twelve years old; they were wont to inure children to fasting, from time to time; or from hour to hour; that they might be accustomed to it, and so be capable of fasting upon the day of atonement.
Christ being now twelve years old, applies himself to his proper work, to be about his Father’s business.
Solomon, when ‘twelve years old,’…judged between the two women.
“R. Chama saith, That Moses, when he was twelve years old; was taken from his father’s house.”
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Luk 2:42. Twelve years old. At this age a Jewish boy became a son of the law and was henceforth bound to obey the law in the full scope of its requirements. After this age attendance at the Passover was necessary; but the passage before us gives no hint that this was the first time the child Jesus had accompanied His parents thither. In the original, Luk 2:42-43 form but one sentence.