Luke 2:42

KJV

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when {G3753} he was {G1096} twelve {G1427} years old {G2094}, they {G846} went up {G305} to {G1519} Jerusalem {G2414} after {G2596} the custom {G1485} of the feast {G1859}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When he was twelve years old, they went up for the festival, as custom required.

Berean Standard Bible

And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.

American Standard Version

And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:42 offers a rare and significant glimpse into the childhood of Jesus, detailing a pivotal moment when, at the age of twelve, He accompanied His parents, Mary and Joseph, on their customary annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. This brief verse underscores the devoutness of His earthly family and highlights the traditional Jewish upbringing that shaped Jesus's early life, setting the stage for the profound revelation of His divine identity and purpose that immediately follows in the narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial bridge in Luke's Gospel, connecting the accounts of Jesus's birth and infancy (Luke 1-2:40) with the singular narrative of His childhood at age twelve (Luke 2:42-51) before the beginning of His public ministry. Immediately preceding it, [Luke 2:41](/luke/2-41 "Luke 2:41 - Annual Passover Pilgrimage") establishes the family's faithful practice of going to Jerusalem for the Passover every year. Following this verse, the narrative unfolds the dramatic incident of Jesus being separated from His parents and subsequently found in the Temple, engaging with the teachers, a profound event that reveals His burgeoning understanding of His unique relationship with God as His Father, as detailed in [Luke 2:46-49](/luke/2-46-49 "Luke 2:46-49 - Jesus Found in the Temple"). This entire section emphasizes Jesus's growth in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man, as summarized in [Luke 2:52](/luke/2-52 "Luke 2:52 - Jesus's Growth").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover was a deeply ingrained religious obligation for devout Jewish males, as mandated by the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Three Annual Feasts")). While only males were strictly required, entire families often made the journey, especially from Galilee to Jerusalem, a trek of several days. The age of twelve held particular significance in Jewish culture, marking the transition from childhood to adolescence. At this age, a boy was considered ready to take on more personal responsibility for observing the commandments of the Torah, a stage often referred to as becoming a "son of the commandment" (similar to the later formalized Bar Mitzvah). This pilgrimage would have been a significant educational and spiritual experience for Jesus, immersing Him in the vibrant religious life of Jerusalem and the Temple.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **faithfulness and obedience** of Joseph and Mary to the Mosaic Law, demonstrating their commitment to raising Jesus within a righteous, God-fearing home. It also underscores Jesus's **authentic humanity and development**, showing that He grew up within a family, participated in religious traditions, and experienced the normal stages of human life, as described in [Luke 2:40](/luke/2-40 "Luke 2:40 - Jesus's Growth in Wisdom"). Furthermore, the mention of "twelve years old" subtly introduces the theme of **spiritual maturity and responsibility**, foreshadowing Jesus's later profound engagement with the Temple teachers and His declaration of being in "My Father's house" ([Luke 2:49](/luke/2-49 "Luke 2:49 - Jesus's Divine Sonship")). This pilgrimage also sets the stage for the **revelation of Jesus's unique identity**, as His actions and words in the Temple transcend the expectations for a typical twelve-year-old, pointing to His divine nature.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **was (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb, often translated as "to become" or "to come into being," emphasizes the natural progression of Jesus's human development. It signifies that His being "twelve years old" was a real, chronological event, underscoring His genuine human growth and experience within time and space, rather than a mere static state.
* **twelve (Greek, _dṓdeka'_):** This numerical term is highly significant in Jewish culture, frequently appearing in contexts of completeness, divine order, and Israel's identity (e.g., twelve tribes, twelve apostles). Here, it marks the specific age at which Jesus reached a critical juncture in His human development, transitioning from childhood to a greater level of religious accountability and understanding within Jewish tradition.
* **custom (Greek, _éthos'_):** This word refers to an established usage, habit, or law, emphasizing that the pilgrimage to Jerusalem was not an arbitrary decision but a deeply ingrained, regular, and expected practice for devout Jewish families. It highlights the family's adherence to traditional religious observance and their integration into the communal life of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he was twelve years old":** This clause precisely dates the event, marking a significant milestone in Jesus's life. The age of twelve was culturally pivotal for Jewish boys, signifying the threshold of religious maturity and the beginning of greater personal responsibility for observing the Law. This detail highlights Jesus's authentic human development within the context of His Jewish upbringing.
* **"they went up to Jerusalem":** This refers to Jesus's parents, Mary and Joseph, along with Jesus Himself. The phrase "went up" reflects the geographical reality of Jerusalem being situated on a hill, requiring an ascent, but also carries spiritual connotations of going up to the holy city for worship. This pilgrimage was a central act of devotion for faithful Jews.
* **"after the custom of the feast":** This phrase clarifies the purpose and nature of their journey. It indicates that their trip was in accordance with established Jewish tradition and religious law, specifically for one of the annual pilgrimage festivals, which in this context is understood to be Passover, as indicated in the preceding verse ([Luke 2:41](/luke/2-41 "Luke 2:41 - The Annual Passover Pilgrimage")). It underscores the family's piety and their adherence to the communal worship life of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several **Literary Devices** in this concise verse. The precise mention of "twelve years old" serves as a significant **Chronological Marker**, not only dating the event but also highlighting a culturally important age for Jewish boys, thereby setting the stage for Jesus's subsequent actions in the Temple. The phrase "after the custom of the feast" functions as **Cultural Detail**, grounding the narrative in the specific religious practices of first-century Judaism and emphasizing the devoutness of Jesus's family. Furthermore, the entire verse acts as **Foreshadowing**, subtly preparing the reader for the extraordinary display of wisdom and divine awareness that Jesus will exhibit in the very next scene, hinting at His unique identity and purpose even at a young age.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 2:42 provides profound theological insights into the nature of Jesus's humanity and the importance of His Jewish heritage. It affirms that Jesus, though divine, fully entered into the human experience, growing and developing within a faithful family and participating in the religious customs of His people. This highlights His solidarity with humanity and His perfect obedience to the Law, fulfilling the requirements that Israel often failed to meet. The family's pilgrimage underscores the importance of communal worship and faithful adherence to God's commands as a pathway for spiritual formation, even for the Son of God.

* [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Three Annual Feasts")
* [Exodus 23:14-17](/exodus/23-14-17 "Exodus 23:14-17 - Annual Feasts Commanded")
* [Luke 2:52](/luke/2-52 "Luke 2:52 - Jesus's Growth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 2:42 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual formation within the family and community. Joseph and Mary consistently modeled faithfulness and adherence to God's commands, creating an environment where Jesus could grow "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." For believers today, this verse challenges us to consider the spiritual disciplines we maintain, both individually and as families. Do we prioritize communal worship, engage with the scriptures, and participate in practices that foster spiritual growth? The example of Jesus's parents encourages us to be intentional in nurturing faith in our households, understanding that consistent, devout practice lays a foundation for deep spiritual understanding and a vibrant relationship with God. It also reminds us that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, marked by stages of increasing responsibility and deeper engagement with God's truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the example of Joseph and Mary's faithfulness challenge or encourage your own family's spiritual practices?**
* **In what ways can we, like Jesus, grow in wisdom and understanding within our own faith communities?**
* **What "customs" or spiritual disciplines are essential for your personal and family's spiritual development today?**

### FAQ

**Why is Jesus's age of twelve specifically mentioned?**

Answer: The mention of Jesus's age as twelve is significant because, in Jewish culture of that time, this age marked a crucial transition for boys. It was considered the age at which a boy began to take on more personal responsibility for observing the commandments of the Torah. This pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover would have been a profoundly formative experience, preparing Jesus for His later public ministry and His unique understanding of His relationship with God, as evidenced by His engagement with the teachers in the Temple immediately following this verse ([Luke 2:46-47](/luke/2-46-47 "Luke 2:46-47 - Jesus Converses in the Temple")). It highlights His authentic human development within the context of His Jewish heritage.

**What was "the custom of the feast" referring to?**

Answer: "The custom of the feast" refers to the long-standing Jewish tradition and religious obligation for all adult Jewish males to make an annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the three major festivals: Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles, as commanded in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 16:16](/deuteronomy/16-16 "Deuteronomy 16:16 - Three Annual Feasts")). In this specific context, it is referring to the Passover feast, as indicated by [Luke 2:41](/luke/2-41 "Luke 2:41 - Annual Passover Pilgrimage"). This highlights the devoutness of Jesus's parents, Joseph and Mary, who faithfully adhered to these traditions, bringing Jesus with them as part of their family's spiritual life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:42, though a simple narrative detail, profoundly contributes to the Christ-centered understanding of the Gospel. It establishes Jesus's full humanity, demonstrating that the Son of God truly "became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation")). His growth to twelve years old within a devout Jewish family, observing the customs of the Law, underscores His perfect identification with humanity and His complete obedience to the Father's will from a young age. This pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover foreshadows His ultimate journey to Jerusalem as the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice at the Passover season would fulfill the very feast His family observed ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His presence in the Temple, even as a boy, hints at His unique authority and divine Sonship, which would later be fully revealed when He cleansed the Temple and declared its true purpose as a "house of prayer" ([Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12-13 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). Thus, this seemingly ordinary family trip is a crucial step in the unfolding narrative of God's redemptive plan, revealing the incarnate Son perfectly living out the human experience in preparation for His saving mission.

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.