Luke 2 47

Luke 2:47 kjv

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Luke 2:47 nkjv

And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

Luke 2:47 niv

Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke 2:47 esv

And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke 2:47 nlt

All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke 2 verses

Luke 2 47 Meaning

Luke 2:47 reveals the precocious divine wisdom of Jesus Christ at the age of twelve, astounding the learned Temple teachers. It demonstrates his unique spiritual discernment and comprehensive understanding of divine truth, far exceeding his years and any human instruction. This moment underscores His divine nature and foreshadows His later ministry where He would consistently teach with unparalleled authority and wisdom.

Luke 2 47 Context

Luke 2:47 is part of a singular episode from Jesus' childhood (Lk 2:41-50), which provides the only insight into his life between infancy and the commencement of his public ministry. The immediate context is the annual Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem made by Joseph, Mary, and Jesus when Jesus was twelve years old. During their return journey, Jesus stayed behind in the Temple, unbeknownst to his parents. After three days of searching, they found him engaged with the leading teachers, "both hearing them, and asking them questions" (Lk 2:46). Verse 47 then describes the astonishing reaction of all who witnessed this interaction.

From a broader Gospel perspective, this event serves to confirm Jesus' divine identity and purpose at a young age, bridging the infancy narratives of Luke 1-2 with His adult ministry. It subtly highlights His unique relationship with God as His Father, anticipating His later declaration, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" (Lk 2:49). This incident distinguishes Jesus from typical children and sets the stage for His future role as the authoritative Teacher and Son of God.

Historically and culturally, the Temple in Jerusalem was the central place for worship, learning, and religious discussions. Rabbinic teachers (scribes, doctors of the Law) were highly respected scholars who expounded the Torah. For a child, even a very bright one, to engage these esteemed teachers in profound theological discussion and astonish them speaks volumes. Pilgrimages like Passover were customary, bringing together people from across the Jewish world, further emphasizing the public nature of this event. The expectation of a Messiah, especially one endowed with wisdom, would resonate with such an account within the Jewish context.

Luke 2 47 Word analysis

• And all that heard him (πάντες οἱ ἀκούοντες αὐτοῦ, pantes hoi akouontes autou): "All" implies not just the Temple teachers themselves, but also any other observers present. This universality of witness reinforces the impact of Jesus' words. The participle "heard" (ἀκούοντες) emphasizes the ongoing action of listening to Him speak, rather than just hearing a single instance.
• were astonished (ἐξεπλήσσοντο, exeplēssonto): This Greek word (ekplesso) denotes being struck out of one's senses, completely amazed, overwhelmed, or astounded. It signifies a profound level of shock and wonder, often used in the Gospels to describe reactions to Jesus' miracles or authoritative teaching. The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or repeated state of astonishment, not a momentary surprise, implying the prolonged nature of His discussion and their wonder.
• at his understanding (ἐπὶ τῇ συνέσει αὐτοῦ, epi tē synesei autou): Synesis (understanding, discernment, insight) suggests more than mere knowledge of facts. It implies the ability to perceive connections, grasp complex ideas, interpret scriptures deeply, and apply divine truth. It is the capacity for keen perception and spiritual comprehension, indicative of divine illumination.
• and answers (καὶ ταῖς ἀποκρίσεσιν, kai tais apokrisesin): Apokrisis refers to a direct reply or response. This indicates Jesus was not just asking insightful questions (as mentioned in Lk 2:46) but also providing profound, well-reasoned replies to the teachers' questions, which equally contributed to their astonishment. His answers were not simplistic or superficial but full of wisdom.
• (all that heard him) were astonished: This phrase underscores the undeniable impact of Jesus' words. It's not a subjective opinion but an observed, widespread reaction from an educated audience. Their astonishment highlights Jesus' exceptional nature, transcending ordinary human development or learning.
• his understanding and answers: This pairing points to two facets of Jesus' intellectual and spiritual superiority. His "understanding" reveals a depth of internal comprehension, while his "answers" manifest that profound understanding outwardly. It's a testament to both His inner grasp of divine truths and His ability to articulate them coherently and powerfully.

Luke 2 47 Bonus section

This incident in the Temple, brief as it is, is the sole narrative between Jesus' birth and the start of His public ministry that illuminates His growth in wisdom (as mentioned in Lk 2:40 and 2:52). It portrays Him as an active learner, yet simultaneously as a profound teacher. This demonstrates not only His humanity and His learning through listening but, more significantly, the unprecedented wisdom of His divine nature. It sets Him apart not just from other children, but from all humanity, showing that His wisdom flowed from a source beyond mere earthly schooling. This scene acts as a divine validation of who Jesus is, long before the baptism by John.

Luke 2 47 Commentary

Luke 2:47 offers a foundational insight into the divine character of Jesus Christ. Far from a mere child prodigy, Jesus, at the age of twelve, displayed an inherent wisdom and authority that transcended typical human intellect and learned instruction. His ability to engage with, and indeed astonish, the most respected religious teachers in Jerusalem was a clear manifestation of His unique relationship with God as His Father and the divine Spirit indwelling Him from conception. This event establishes that Jesus did not gain wisdom primarily through human teachers, but rather possessed it intrinsically as the Son of God. It's a foreshadowing of His later ministry, where He would consistently confound the scribes and Pharisees with His divine insight and authoritative teaching, speaking as one with authority, not as the scribes. The amazement of the religious leaders is crucial, signifying their inability to comprehend the source of such profound knowledge and discernment in one so young and untrained by their conventional standards. It serves as an early revelation of Jesus' pre-eminence and divine Sonship.