Luke 2 43

Luke 2:43 kjv

And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

Luke 2:43 nkjv

When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;

Luke 2:43 niv

After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.

Luke 2:43 esv

And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

Luke 2:43 nlt

After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him at first,

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 43 Meaning

Luke 2:43 describes a significant moment in the life of the 12-year-old Jesus. Following the annual Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem, His parents, Mary and Joseph, began their journey back home, unaware that Jesus had remained behind in the city. This verse sets the scene for the discovery of Jesus' unique awareness of His divine identity and mission, even at a young age, foreshadowing His later public ministry where His priorities would often supersede familial expectations.

Luke 2 43 Context

Luke 2:43 is a crucial turning point within the Gospel of Luke's narrative of Jesus' early life. It is nestled between accounts of Jesus' infancy, His dedication at the Temple, and His return to Nazareth where He "increased in wisdom and in stature."

Specifically, the preceding verses (Lk 2:41-42) describe Mary and Joseph's consistent piety in making the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, adhering to the requirements of the Mosaic Law. Jesus, as was customary for Jewish males nearing religious adulthood (often marked at 13, but understanding would begin earlier), accompanied them. The historical context indicates that such pilgrimages involved large groups of extended family and acquaintances traveling together for safety and companionship. This communal aspect explains why His parents might not have immediately noticed His absence, assuming He was with other family members in the large traveling company. The age of twelve signifies a boy on the threshold of manhood in Jewish tradition, a time when greater religious understanding and personal responsibility would be expected. Jesus' actions in the following verses, found discoursing with teachers in the Temple, reveal an unprecedented level of divine wisdom beyond what was typical for His age, even one approaching religious maturity. This event is unique, being the only recorded episode of Jesus' childhood between His infancy and the beginning of His public ministry around the age of thirty. It serves as a solitary but profound glimpse into the awakening of His divine self-awareness and mission.

Luke 2 43 Word analysis

• And when they had finished the days (Greek: kai teleiōsantōn tas hēmeras):

  • kai: "And," simply connects this event to the preceding narrative of the Passover visit.
  • teleiōsantōn: A form of teleioō, meaning "to complete," "to finish," or "to accomplish." It implies a thorough completion of a required duration or task. Here, it refers to the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread that immediately followed Passover itself (Dt 16:3-8).
  • tas hēmeras: "The days." Refers specifically to the prescribed period of the Passover feast, which, including the Feast of Unleavened Bread, lasted for seven days. This emphasizes that Mary and Joseph fulfilled their religious obligations fully.

• as they returned (Greek: en tō hypostrephein autous):

  • en tō hypostrephein: A dative infinitive construction often expressing simultaneous action or "while returning." It highlights the point in time when the parents' action was happening.
  • hypostrephein: From hypostrephō, meaning "to turn back," "to return," "to go home." It implies their departure from Jerusalem, heading back to Nazareth. This was the customary group travel for such pilgrimages.
  • autous: "They," referring to Jesus' parents and their traveling company.

• the Boy Jesus (Greek: ho pais Iēsous):

  • ho pais: "The boy" or "the child." Pais can refer to a boy (ages 7-14) and sometimes to a "servant" in the Septuagint (e.g., pais Kyriou, "servant of the Lord"). Here, it points to Jesus' age (12 years old, Lk 2:42), highlighting His human development. It distinguishes Him as a young man coming of age, capable of a certain degree of independent action and understanding within the family and religious framework.
  • Iēsous: Jesus, the personal name given at birth, meaning "Yahweh saves" or "Yahweh is salvation."

• stayed behind (Greek: hypemeinen):

  • hypemeinen: From hypomenō, meaning "to remain behind," "to stay," "to tarry." This verb strongly implies an intentional act on Jesus' part. It was not accidental or an oversight on His part, but a deliberate decision. This active choice sets up the narrative of His precocious divine consciousness.

• in Jerusalem (Greek: en Ierousalem):

  • en Ierousalem: "In Jerusalem." The capital city, the religious heart of Judaism, site of the Temple. Remaining here indicates Jesus' profound connection to the Father's house and mission. It is significant because it's the center of Israel's worship and prophecies, the place where His later public ministry would reach its climax.

• And His parents did not know it (Greek: kai ouk egnōsan hoi goneis autou):

  • kai: "And," connects this statement as a consequence or observation.
  • ouk egnōsan: "Did not know." Egnōsan is from ginōskō, meaning "to know" by experience, observation, or comprehension. Their lack of knowledge signifies their limited human understanding in contrast to Jesus' divine awareness and intention. It underscores the profound disconnect between His divine calling and their human perception, however devoted they were.
  • hoi goneis autou: "His parents," specifically Mary and Joseph. This highlights their legitimate parental relationship and concern, making their lack of knowledge even more striking.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And when they had finished the days, as they returned...": This phrase describes the conventional completion of a religious obligation and the start of a routine journey. It emphasizes the faithful adherence of Mary and Joseph to Jewish law (attending Passover) and establishes the normal familial activity, against which Jesus' atypical action is then contrasted.
• "...the Boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.": This is the core action of the verse. It isolates Jesus from the parental unit, indicating His initiative and setting the stage for His profound revelation in the Temple. The "Boy Jesus" emphasizes His young age yet hints at the emerging consciousness that guided this decision to "stay behind" in a place of great religious significance. It was an independent, decisive action, not a childish wandering off.
• "And His parents did not know it.": This closing statement immediately creates a dramatic tension. It highlights the natural, human unawareness of even His devoted parents regarding the Son of God's burgeoning divine purpose and distinct relationship with His heavenly Father. It emphasizes their shock and concern, which would be explored in the subsequent verses (Lk 2:44-45). This lack of knowledge from Mary and Joseph foreshadows a consistent theme in the Gospels: Jesus' divine nature and mission often transcended human comprehension, even from those closest to Him.

Luke 2 43 Bonus section

The specific language hypemeinen for "stayed behind" rather than a verb suggesting an accidental separation reinforces the deliberateness of Jesus' actions. Scholars note that while Mary and Joseph's concern was genuine, it stemmed from their earthly, parental perspective, rather than an understanding of Jesus' unique relationship with God the Father. This event serves as an interpretive key to Jesus' entire earthly ministry, which was always focused on His Father's will and purpose, often challenging societal and even familial norms. This solitary account from Jesus' youth acts as a preview, revealing that even in His boyhood, He was consciously dedicated to His divine calling. It prepares the reader for a Messiah whose deepest loyalty is to the divine will, above all else.

Luke 2 43 Commentary

Luke 2:43 serves as the critical transition point, bridging the infancy narratives and Jesus' hidden years of growth before His public ministry. The verse reveals Jesus' first recorded act of intentional, divinely-guided independence. While His parents diligently fulfill their religious duties by attending Passover, Jesus makes a conscious choice to remain in Jerusalem. This decision, uncommunicated and therefore unknown to Mary and Joseph, marks a pivotal shift: the emerging awareness of His unique Sonship and priority for His heavenly Father's business.

The mention of Jesus' age at twelve is significant, placing Him on the cusp of religious adulthood in Jewish society, yet His understanding surpasses any typical expectation for that age. His "staying behind" in Jerusalem, particularly in the Temple complex, subtly indicates His unique connection to God's presence and mission. The parents' ignorance highlights the stark contrast between their human, albeit faithful, understanding and the unfolding divine purpose within Jesus. It's a poignant moment that prefigures the many times His priorities and mission would diverge from earthly expectations, even those of His beloved family. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' later profound declaration in the Temple: "Did you not know that I must be in My Father's house?" (Lk 2:49), powerfully affirming His identity and calling. This brief narrative, therefore, offers a unique window into the dawning self-consciousness of the incarnate Son of God, truly human and truly divine.