Luke 2 41

Luke 2:41 kjv

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

Luke 2:41 nkjv

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

Luke 2:41 niv

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.

Luke 2:41 esv

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

Luke 2:41 nlt

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 41 Meaning

Luke 2:41 states that Jesus' parents, Joseph and Mary, habitually traveled to Jerusalem annually for the Feast of the Passover. This verse underscores their deep religious piety and faithful adherence to the Mosaic Law, establishing the devout Jewish home in which Jesus was raised. It also sets the stage for the significant event of Jesus at the Temple described in the following verses.

Luke 2 41 Context

Luke 2:41 follows the narrative of Jesus' early childhood, specifically His infancy, circumcision, presentation at the Temple, and His return to Nazareth where He "grew and became strong, filled with wisdom" (Lk 2:40). This verse serves as a transition, setting the stage for the pivotal account of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple, which immediately follows (Lk 2:42-50). It establishes the normative, observant Jewish context of Jesus' upbringing within His family unit, before He begins His public ministry. Historically, the Feast of the Passover was one of three major annual pilgrimage festivals (along with Weeks/Pentecost and Booths/Tabernacles) where all Israelite men were required to go to Jerusalem to worship. While not strictly required for women, devout wives like Mary often accompanied their families on these significant journeys. This trip would have involved considerable effort, spanning roughly 70 miles from Nazareth to Jerusalem.

Luke 2 41 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction connecting this verse to the ongoing narrative of Jesus' youth. It signals a continuation of the ordinary life and religious practices of Jesus' family.
• His parents (οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ - hoi goneis autou): Refers specifically to Joseph and Mary. The term emphasizes their familial role and shared commitment to their faith, serving as spiritual guides for young Jesus. It highlights their exemplary piety.
• went (ἐπορεύοντο - eporeuonto): From the verb πορεύομαι (poreuomai), meaning "to travel" or "journey." The imperfect tense here conveys continuous, habitual, or repeated action. It indicates that this was not a one-off event but a regular, established custom for Joseph and Mary.
• to Jerusalem (εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα - eis Hierosolyma): Specifies the destination, the capital city of Judea and the spiritual center of Judaism, where the Temple was located. Jerusalem was the required destination for the major pilgrimage feasts.
• every year (κατ' ἔτος - kat' etos): Literally "according to year." This phrase strongly emphasizes the consistency and regularity of their religious observance. It shows their diligent obedience to the Law.
• at the Feast (ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ - en tē heortē): Denotes the specific time of their pilgrimage. "Feast" refers to one of the mandated annual festivals for communal worship.
• of the Passover (τοῦ πάσχα - tou pascha): Specifies the particular feast. Passover, derived from the Hebrew Pesach, commemorated the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. It was the most important pilgrimage festival, central to Jewish identity and history, and deeply symbolic of redemption. This choice of feast foreshadows Jesus' ultimate role as the Passover Lamb.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And His parents went to Jerusalem every year: This phrase establishes the deep piety and faithfulness of Joseph and Mary. Their consistent adherence to the commands of the Torah, specifically the pilgrimage laws, portrays them as devout Jews providing a religiously observant upbringing for Jesus. It reflects a home where spiritual disciplines were valued and practiced regularly.
• at the Feast of the Passover: This specific detail highlights the foundational narrative of redemption within Judaism that formed Jesus' early understanding. The choice of Passover as the particular feast not only indicates adherence to a key commandment but also prophetically links Jesus' early life to the very themes of sacrifice and liberation that He would later embody and fulfill.

Luke 2 41 Bonus section

The communal aspect of these pilgrimages cannot be overstated. Families and entire communities often traveled together, making the journey itself an experience of shared devotion, learning, and fellowship. This yearly tradition provided a powerful context for young Jesus' social and spiritual development within the vibrant framework of His Jewish heritage. The rigorous travel also suggests that Joseph and Mary prioritized their faith, sacrificing comfort and time for worship. It models faithful participation in religious life even when demanding.

Luke 2 41 Commentary

Luke 2:41 serves as a foundational verse demonstrating the profound piety and unwavering commitment of Joseph and Mary to their ancestral faith. Their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, far from a casual trip, was a diligent act of obedience to Mosaic Law (Deut 16:16). This was a rigorous journey, yet they consistently undertook it, indicating a deep spiritual discipline. By detailing this routine, Luke subtly yet powerfully establishes that Jesus, the Messiah, was raised in an environment of faithful Jewish practice. This is crucial for understanding Jesus' rootedness within Judaism, not as an outsider or revolutionary who disregarded tradition, but as one who fulfilled it. The specific mention of Passover is highly significant, linking Jesus' early life to Israel's grand story of deliverance and implicitly foreshadowing His future role as the ultimate Paschal Lamb (1 Cor 5:7), through whom humanity finds new exodus and redemption. This yearly pilgrimage also served to connect young Jesus to the heart of Jewish worship and national identity in Jerusalem.