Luke 2:42

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

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}.

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

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

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

Luke 2:42 provides a rare glimpse into the early life of Jesus, detailing a significant moment in His childhood journey with His parents, Mary and Joseph.

Context

This verse follows the account of Jesus's birth and early infancy, and it precedes the famous narrative of Jesus being found in the Temple. It states that when Jesus was twelve years old, His parents, Joseph and Mary, continued their faithful practice of traveling to Jerusalem for the annual Passover feast. This pilgrimage was "after the custom of the feast," indicating their adherence to long-standing Jewish tradition. As noted in Luke 2:41, they went up every year. For a Jewish boy, the age of twelve was particularly significant, marking a transition towards religious maturity and accountability, often seen as the age when a boy became a "son of the commandment" (similar to what would later be formalized as Bar Mitzvah).

Key Themes

Obedience to God's Law: The verse highlights the devoutness of Joseph and Mary, who diligently observed the commands of the Law, including the pilgrimage festivals, as stipulated in passages like Deuteronomy 16:16. This demonstrates their commitment to their faith and their role in raising Jesus within a righteous household.
Jesus's Human Development: This event underscores Jesus's authentic human experience. He grew up within a family, participated in religious traditions, and developed naturally, both physically and spiritually. This pilgrimage was part of His formative years.
Significance of Age Twelve: This age marked a crucial developmental stage for Jewish boys. It was when they began to take on more personal responsibility for observing the Law. This trip to Jerusalem would have been a profoundly significant experience for Jesus, preparing Him for His later interactions in the Temple, as described in Luke 2:46.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "after the custom of the feast" translates the Greek kata to ethos tes heortes. Ethos refers to an established custom, tradition, or habit, emphasizing that this annual pilgrimage was a regular, expected practice for devout Jewish families. The term heortes simply means a religious festival or feast, in this context, specifically referring to Passover.

Practical Application

Luke 2:42 offers several lessons for believers today:

Family Faithfulness: It illustrates the importance of parents modeling faithfulness and spiritual discipline for their children. Joseph and Mary consistently brought Jesus to participate in the religious life of their community.
Spiritual Growth: The verse reminds us that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, beginning in childhood. Just as Jesus grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), we are called to continually mature in our understanding and practice of our faith.
Observing Traditions: While specific traditions may vary, the principle of observing spiritual disciplines and participating in communal worship remains vital for nurturing one's relationship with God. This verse subtly highlights the value of established practices in fostering spiritual development.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.