Luke 2:41

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G2532} his {G846} parents {G1118} went {G4198} to {G1519} Jerusalem {G2419} every {G2596} year {G2094} at the feast {G1859} of the passover {G3957}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Every year Yeshua's parents went to Yerushalayim for the festival of Pesach.

Berean Standard Bible

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:41 introduces the devout practice of Jesus's parents, Mary and Joseph, who faithfully observed the Mosaic Law by making an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent narrative of the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple, highlighting the spiritual environment in which He was raised and His family's commitment to the traditions of their Jewish faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition in Luke's Gospel, bridging the account of Jesus's infancy and early childhood (Luke 2:1-40) with the singular narrative of His visit to the Temple at age twelve (Luke 2:42-52). Prior to this, Luke emphasizes Jesus's growth in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:40). Verse 41 establishes the routine and piety of His family life, providing the necessary backdrop for the extraordinary event that follows, where Jesus's unique divine consciousness and mission begin to emerge publicly. It underscores that Jesus was raised within a faithful, observant Jewish household, making His later revelation of divine identity even more profound.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of the Passover (Pesach) was one of the three major annual pilgrimage festivals (along with Pentecost and Tabernacles) where all Israelite males were commanded to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem, as stipulated in [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Three Annual Feasts"). While only males were strictly required, it was common for entire families, particularly devout ones like Jesus's, to undertake the arduous journey from Galilee to Judea, demonstrating their commitment to the covenant. This annual journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem, approximately 70-80 miles, would have involved significant planning, travel time (several days each way), and expense, underscoring the depth of Mary and Joseph's religious devotion and their adherence to the Law.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 2:41 contributes to several key themes within the broader narrative. It highlights the **obedience to God's Law** exemplified by Mary and Joseph, who faithfully adhered to the Mosaic commands for pilgrimage. Their consistent annual journey underscores their deep **piety and devotion**, establishing the spiritual atmosphere in which Jesus was raised. This verse also firmly roots Jesus within His **Jewish identity**, demonstrating that His upbringing was in line with the established practices and traditions of His people, thereby emphasizing continuity rather than an immediate departure from tradition. Furthermore, it subtly foreshadows Jesus's own perfect obedience to His Father's will and His ultimate role in fulfilling the very Passover He observed, as seen in passages like [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") where He is identified as the Lamb of God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **parents (Greek, _goneús'_):** From the base of *ginomai* (to become, to be born), this term refers to those who have begotten or brought forth a child. In this context, it emphasizes the human lineage and familial relationship of Mary and Joseph to Jesus, highlighting their role in His upbringing within a devout Jewish home, even as Luke's Gospel also stresses His divine parentage.
* **went (Greek, _poreúomai'_):** This verb signifies to traverse, to travel, or to journey. It implies a deliberate and purposeful movement, often over a significant distance. Here, it conveys the active and consistent participation of Mary and Joseph in the annual pilgrimage, emphasizing their commitment and the physical effort involved in observing the Passover feast in Jerusalem.
* **Passover (Greek, _páscha'_):** Of Chaldee origin, this term refers to the central Jewish festival commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (see [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")). It encompasses the meal, the day, the festival, and the special sacrifices connected with it. Its inclusion here is highly significant, as it is the very feast that Jesus would ultimately fulfill through His own sacrificial death, becoming the true Passover Lamb.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now his parents":** This phrase introduces the main subjects of the verse, Mary and Joseph, emphasizing their role as Jesus's earthly guardians and highlighting their shared commitment to religious observance.
* **"went to Jerusalem":** This indicates the destination of their annual journey, the spiritual and political capital of Judea, the place where the Temple was located and where the Passover feast was celebrated. The act of "going" signifies a purposeful pilgrimage.
* **"every year":** This crucial detail underscores the consistency and regularity of their devotion. It was not a sporadic act but a deeply ingrained tradition and an annual commitment, demonstrating their steadfast piety and adherence to the Law.
* **"at the feast of the passover":** This specifies the occasion for their annual pilgrimage, identifying it as the Passover, the most significant festival in the Jewish calendar, rich with historical and redemptive meaning, commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several **literary devices** in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as the annual observance of the Passover by Jesus's family subtly points to Jesus's ultimate role as the true Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice would bring about a greater exodus from sin. The consistent phrase "every year" also implies **Repetition**, emphasizing the family's unwavering piety and adherence to tradition, which in turn highlights the extraordinary nature of the subsequent event when Jesus, at age twelve, deviates from the expected behavior. The setting in **Jerusalem** during the **Passover** also serves as powerful **Symbolism**, connecting Jesus's early life directly to the heart of Jewish faith and prophecy, indicating that He is deeply rooted in the history and promises of Israel, even as He is destined to transcend and fulfill them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 2:41 is more than a simple historical detail; it is a theological statement about the context of Jesus's upbringing and the continuity of God's redemptive plan. It portrays Mary and Joseph as models of faithful adherence to God's covenant, demonstrating that the Messiah was raised within a family deeply committed to the very Law and traditions He would ultimately fulfill. This verse underscores the importance of spiritual discipline and corporate worship, showing how participation in communal religious life shapes individual and familial piety. It also subtly reinforces the idea that Jesus's life was not a radical break from Israel's past but the climactic fulfillment of its promises and types, particularly the Passover, which prefigured His atoning work.

* [Exodus 12:26-27](/exodus/12-26-27 "Exodus 12:26-27 - Explaining the Passover to Children"): This passage instructs parents to explain the significance of the Passover to their children, highlighting the intergenerational transmission of faith and tradition, a practice Mary and Joseph clearly embodied.
* [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Three Annual Feasts"): This verse explicitly commands all Israelite males to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem for the three annual feasts, including Passover, providing the legal and spiritual mandate for Mary and Joseph's pilgrimage.
* [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son in the Fullness of Time"): This verse speaks of God sending His Son "born of a woman, born under the law," a theological truth perfectly illustrated by Jesus's upbringing in a law-observant Jewish family, as seen in Luke 2:41.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 2:41 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, particularly regarding the spiritual formation of families and the importance of communal worship. Mary and Joseph's consistent pilgrimage to Jerusalem demonstrates a proactive and intentional commitment to instilling faith and religious practice in their home. Their example challenges us to consider how we prioritize spiritual disciplines, corporate worship, and the transmission of our faith to the next generation. It reminds us that spiritual growth often occurs within the context of consistent, sometimes arduous, acts of obedience and participation in the life of the faith community. Moreover, it encourages us to appreciate the rich heritage of our faith, understanding that God's work often builds upon and fulfills existing traditions rather than discarding them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the consistent spiritual practice of Mary and Joseph challenge or inspire your own family's spiritual disciplines?**
* **What significance do you place on corporate worship and participation in religious traditions within your own faith journey?**
* **In what ways can we, like Mary and Joseph, intentionally create an environment that fosters spiritual growth and understanding for those under our care?**
* **How does understanding Jesus's upbringing within a devout Jewish family deepen your appreciation for His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and types?**

### FAQ
**Why was it important for Jesus's parents to go to Jerusalem every year for the Passover?**

Answer: It was important for several reasons, primarily due to their devout adherence to the Mosaic Law. [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Three Annual Feasts") commanded all Israelite males to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem for the three annual pilgrimage festivals, including the Passover. While only males were strictly required, it was common for entire families to make the journey, especially for devout households like Mary and Joseph's. This annual pilgrimage demonstrated their deep piety, their commitment to God's covenant, and their desire to raise Jesus within the established traditions and practices of their Jewish faith. It also served as a vital act of communal worship and remembrance of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, a foundational event in their national and religious identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:41, though seemingly a simple biographical detail, profoundly foreshadows Jesus's ultimate mission and identity. His parents' annual pilgrimage to the Passover feast, commemorating Israel's deliverance through the blood of a lamb, sets the stage for Jesus to become the true and final Passover Lamb. As [John the Baptist declared](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" The very feast His family observed pointed to Him, the one whose perfect obedience and sacrificial death would accomplish a greater exodus—the liberation from sin and death for all who believe. His upbringing "under the law" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "God Sent His Son in the Fullness of Time")) ensured that He would perfectly fulfill every requirement of the Law, not abolish it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), culminating in His offering of Himself as the spotless sacrifice. Thus, the devout practices of His earthly parents, rooted in the Old Covenant, beautifully prefigure the New Covenant established through His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood")), making Him the ultimate fulfillment of all that the Passover symbolized.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 12:18

But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that [is] within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.

Deuteronomy 16:1

¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Deuteronomy 16:8

Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day [shall be] a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work [therein].

1 Samuel 1:3

And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, [were] there.

Numbers 28:16

¶ And in the fourteenth day of the first month [is] the passover of the LORD.

1 Samuel 1:21

And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

John 2:13

And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,