Luke 2:49

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Complete Jewish Bible:

He said to them, "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be concerning myself with my Father's affairs?"

Berean Standard Bible:

“Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

American Standard Version:

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father’s house?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} he said^{G2036} unto^{G4314} them^{G846}, How^{G5101} is it that^{G3754} ye sought^{G2212} me^{G3165}? wist ye^{G1492} not^{G3756} that^{G3754} I^{G3165} must^{G1163} be^{G1511} about^{G1722} my^{G3450} Father's business^{G3962}?

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Commentary for Luke 2:49

Luke 2:49 is a verse that captures a moment of profound significance in the life of Jesus Christ, as it is one of the few glimpses into his childhood provided in the New Testament. This verse is situated within the narrative of Jesus at the age of twelve, when he accompanied his parents to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. After the festival concluded, Jesus stayed behind in the temple without his parents' knowledge, engaging in discussions with the teachers there. When his parents found him after a frantic search, Jesus' response reflects both his awareness of his unique relationship with God and his mission on earth.

The phrase "I must be about my Father's business" (KJV) or "I must be in my Father's house" (NIV) conveys several key themes:

1. **Divine Identity and Mission**: Jesus refers to God as "my Father," which in the context of Judaism would have been a radical assertion of divinity. This declaration is one of the earliest indications of Jesus' recognition of his divine sonship and the purpose for which he was sent.

2. **Filial Obedience to God**: Jesus' words express his deep commitment to doing the will of God, whom he calls Father. This obedience is central to his identity and his understanding of his role in salvation history.

3. **The Temple as a Place of Divine Encounter**: The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life, the dwelling place of God's presence. Jesus' presence there signifies his engagement with the deepest aspects of his religious heritage and his role in fulfilling it.

4. **Mary and Joseph's Lack of Understanding**: The verse also highlights the fact that Jesus' parents did not immediately grasp the full extent of his divine nature or the implications of his mission. This reflects a broader theme in the Gospels where even those closest to Jesus struggle to understand his identity and purpose until after his resurrection.

Historically, this verse is significant because it is part of the infancy narratives that set the stage for Jesus' public ministry. It is also a text that has been the subject of much theological reflection, as it encapsulates the essence of Jesus' self-understanding and his filial relationship with God the Father. The themes present in this verse resonate throughout the Gospel accounts, emphasizing Jesus' divine origin and his dedication to the mission entrusted to him by the Father.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4314
   There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρός
   Transliteration: prós
   Pronunciation: pros
   Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
   
4. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2212
   There are 116 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ζητέω
   Transliteration: zētéō
   Pronunciation: dzay-teh'-o
   Description: of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):--be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means). Compare πυνθάνομαι.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3165
   There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέ
   Transliteration: mé
   Pronunciation: meh
   Description: a shorter (and probably original) form of ἐμέ; me:--I, me, my.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1163
    There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δεῖ
    Transliteration: deî
    Pronunciation: die
    Description: 3rd person singular active present of δέω; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding):--behoved, be meet, must (needs), (be) need(-ful), ought, should.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1511
    There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἶναι
    Transliteration: eînai
    Pronunciation: i'-nahee
    Description: present infinitive from εἰμί; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3450
    There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μοῦ
    Transliteration: moû
    Pronunciation: moo
    Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
    
15. Strong's Number: G3962
    There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πατήρ
    Transliteration: patḗr
    Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
    Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.