Luke 2:40 kjv
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:40 nkjv
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2:40 niv
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
Luke 2:40 esv
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:40 nlt
There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on him.
Luke 2 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 2:52 | And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. | Later, ongoing holistic growth of Jesus. |
| 1 Sam 2:26 | Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men. | Parallel growth and favor (Samuel). |
| Lk 1:80 | And the child [John] grew and became strong in spirit... | Parallel spiritual development (John the Baptist). |
| Isa 11:2 | The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding... | Prophecy of Messiah's spiritual endowment. |
| Isa 42:1 | I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. | God's Servant, equipped by the Spirit. |
| Jn 3:34 | For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. | Jesus' unique and boundless fullness of Spirit. |
| Col 2:3 | In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Jesus as the ultimate source of all wisdom. |
| Eph 3:16 | ...to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man... | Believers also strengthened in spirit by God. |
| Php 2:7 | But emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant... | Jesus' full incarnation and humanity. |
| Heb 2:17 | Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things... | Jesus' necessity to be fully human. |
| Heb 4:15 | For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize... but has been tempted in all things as we are... | Jesus' shared human experience. |
| Jn 1:14 | And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us... | Incarnation of the Son of God. |
| Psa 28:7 | The LORD is my strength and my shield... | God as the ultimate source of strength. |
| Isa 40:29 | He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. | God empowering the weak. |
| Acts 4:33 | And great grace was upon them all. | God's grace on early believers. |
| Acts 11:23 | ...exhorted them all to remain true to the Lord... full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. | God's grace and Spirit enabling faithful service. |
| 2 Cor 1:12 | ...that with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world... | Grace enabling godly conduct. |
| Rom 5:17 | ...much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. | Grace as the means to righteousness and life. |
| Eph 2:8 | For by grace you have been saved through faith... | Salvation is by God's grace. |
| Lk 1:30 | ...for you have found favor with God. | Mary's similar experience of finding favor. |
| Jer 1:5 | "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." | God's pre-ordained preparation of servants. |
| Gal 1:15 | But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace... | Paul's calling by grace from birth. |
Luke 2 verses
Luke 2 40 Meaning
Luke 2:40 describes the early life and formative years of Jesus after His birth and dedication in the temple. It details His true human development in three key aspects: physical growth, spiritual strengthening, and intellectual advancement through divine wisdom. Concurrently, it affirms that His life was uniquely marked by the manifest favor and benevolent presence of God upon Him, signifying His divine nature and special relationship with the Father from childhood. This verse encapsulates the unique blend of Jesus' full humanity and His extraordinary divine enablement and favor, setting the stage for His later ministry.
Luke 2 40 Context
Luke 2:40 follows the accounts of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, His presentation at the Temple where Simeon and Anna prophesied concerning Him (Lk 2:21-39), and the return of His parents to Nazareth. This verse provides a concise summary of Jesus' growth and development during His silent years between infancy and the incident at the Temple at age twelve (Lk 2:41ff). Luke, writing to Theophilus, aims to present an orderly and factual account of Jesus' life, emphasizing His human origins and development within a Jewish context, while simultaneously underscoring His unique relationship with God. The historical context reflects a Jewish household and community setting where a child's spiritual and intellectual growth was fostered.
Luke 2 40 Word analysis
- And the child (παιδίον - paidion): This word simply refers to a young child, underscoring Jesus' genuine humanity. He experienced the normal stages of human development, albeit under unique circumstances of divine favor.
- grew (ηὔξανεν - ēuxanen): An imperfect verb, denoting continuous physical growth and development, affirming His human body. It suggests a process, not a static state.
- and waxed strong (ἐκραταιοῦτο - ekrataiouto): Also an imperfect verb, meaning He was continually strengthened or made vigorous. This implies inner strength and robustness, possibly physical, but more significantly, internal vitality and spiritual fortitude, an increasing vigor for His future divine task.
- in spirit (πνεύματι - pneumati): This dative singular term can refer to the human spirit, an inner faculty, or the Holy Spirit. Given the context of divine enablement ("filled with wisdom" and "grace of God was upon him"), it most powerfully signifies the growth and empowerment of Jesus' human spirit by the Holy Spirit. He was not only developing naturally but supernaturally in His inner being.
- filled with wisdom (πληρούμενον σοφίᾳ - plēroumenon sophia): "Filled" is a present participle, implying a continuous process of being filled or becoming full. "Wisdom" (σοφίᾳ - sophia) refers not just to intellectual knowledge but to practical, moral, and divine insight. This wisdom was not solely acquired through learning but divinely bestowed and manifested.
- and the grace of God (χάρις θεοῦ - charis Theou): "Grace" (χάρις - charis) signifies divine favor, goodwill, or benevolent power. It speaks to God's special, empowering presence and blessing. This indicates a unique, intimate relationship Jesus had with the Father, evidenced in His life.
- was upon him (ἐπ' αὐτό - ep' auto): "Was upon him" implies that God's grace was visibly or palpably manifest in Jesus' life, providing protection, guidance, and unique empowerment, clearly separating Him from others and signaling His divine appointment.
- "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit": This phrase highlights the comprehensive physical and inner (spiritual/inner vitality) development of Jesus as a genuine human being. It counters any notion that He was merely a phantom or an adult disguised as a child.
- "filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him": This phrase combines the unique intellectual and spiritual growth of Jesus, not just through natural means, but through divine empowerment and direct divine favor. It speaks to the unique anointing and blessing upon His life from an early age, equipping Him beyond human capabilities.
Luke 2 40 Bonus section
- Atypical Development: While portraying genuine human growth, Luke highlights that Jesus' development was uniquely advanced due to His being "filled with wisdom" and "the grace of God was upon him." This implies a level of intellectual and spiritual maturity that set Him apart, foreshadowing His later profound teachings and insights, as exemplified in His discussion with the teachers in the Temple at age twelve (Luke 2:46-47).
- Incarnational Reality: This verse strongly reinforces the doctrine of the Incarnation, showing that the Son of God truly "emptied Himself" (Php 2:7) and grew from a child. It guards against docetic views that deny Jesus' genuine humanity, showing He progressed just as human beings do, yet divinely favored and empowered.
- Pattern for Believers: While Jesus' experience is unique, His growth in spirit, wisdom, and favor with God can be seen as a paradigm for Christian development, where believers are also called to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Pet 3:18) and to be strengthened by the Spirit in their inner being (Eph 3:16).
Luke 2 40 Commentary
Luke 2:40 serves as a pivotal summary bridging Jesus' infancy narratives and His public ministry. It meticulously affirms Jesus' true humanity, portraying a child who genuinely grew and developed across all facets – physical, mental, and spiritual. This growth, however, was not merely natural but divinely accelerated and enhanced; He was "waxed strong in spirit" and "filled with wisdom," denoting a supernatural equipping by God's Spirit, which provided insights and fortitude far beyond His years. Crucially, "the grace of God was upon Him," indicating God's constant, active favor and presence that enveloped and empowered Jesus throughout His early life, signifying His unique, God-appointed identity and mission. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' later manifestation as the fully divine and fully human Son, prepared perfectly for His redemptive work.