The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel of the First Sunday after Epiphany, Luke 2:41–52, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.
IV. The disputation of the twelve-year-old boy Jesus with the teachers in the temple. (v. 42–52)
Annotated Text
41. And His parents went every year to Jerusalem for the * Passover (to celebrate it according to God’s ordinance).
* Exodus 34:23; Deuteronomy 16:16 (Exodus 23:15, 17)
42. And when He (the Lord Christ) was twelve-years-old (at which time the children were gradually encouraged unto the public observance of the Law), they (the parents with their child Jesus) went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast.
43. And when the days (appointed for the celebration of the Passover, namely the seven days of unleavened bread, Exodus 34:18) were completed,1 and they returned to the house, the child Jesus remained at Jerusalem, and His parents2 did not know (that He had remained behind).
1 Greek: “But when they had gone up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast and had fully kept these (feast) days.” [Read this verse continuously from v. 42]
2 Greek: “Joseph and His mother” (So it is also to be understood in v. 41)
44. But they supposed (when they missed the Child that) He was among the companions (who had gone up with them from Nazareth in great numbers and were still behind), and they went (they returned [toward Nazareth]) a day’s journey (far), and they sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45. And when they did not find Him, they went back to Jerusalem and sought Him.
46. And it came to pass after three days, they found Him in the temple (in an auxiliary building in the temple, in which there was a school) sitting among the midst of the teachers so that He could hear them (as they explained God’s Word) and asking them questions (not because He had need of their instruction, but rather that He might have an opportunity to instruct them).
47. And * all of those who heard Him, were astonished at His understanding and His answers1 (over His highly-informed answer, over the wisdom that was seen in His answer).
* Matthew 7:28; Mark 1:22 (John 7:15)
2 Greek: “the answers (He gave)”
48. And when they (His parents) saw Him, they were appalled (they marveled to the highest degree over it, what this meant that such a Child should have dared to presume to speak with all the most learned men about such high and important matters). And His mother said to Him, “My Son, * why have you done this to us (that you have made so much care and anxiety for us with Your remaining behind)? Behold, Your Father and I have sought you with pains.”
* Genesis 12:18
49. And He said to them, “Why have you sought me (what need was there of the seeking)? Do you not know that I must be in that which is My Father’s? (that I must wait for that which My heavenly Father has laid upon Me?)”
(John 4:34, 17:4)
50. And they did not understand the word that He spoke with them.
51. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was submissive to them (He did what His father and mother asked Him, and what He could do to please them). And His mother * kept all these words in her heart.
* Luke 2:19; Genesis 37:11
52. And Jesus * increased in wisdom,1 age (stature, height, and size), and grace with God and men (he was a child dear, sweet, and pleasant child to everyone, which thus happened through God’s special grace).
* 1 Samuel 2:26 (Acts 7:20)
1 † This is to be understood of the human nature in the state of His humiliation, to which also His age belonged.
Useful Applications
IV. CORRECTION: Because Christ, the Son of God Himself, was obedient and submissive to His mother and foster father, much more should all other children of men be obedient and submissive to their parents. (v. 51) DOCTRINE: Catechesis is a work sanctified by Christ Himself and is the highest edifying work. (v. 46–47) CORRECTION: Christ’s love for the temple also shows where one ought to fondly go and keep the children. (v. 42, 49ff.)
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 