Luke 2:48

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

And {G2532} when they saw {G1492} him {G846}, they were amazed {G1605}: and {G2532} his {G846} mother {G3384} said {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, Son {G5043}, why {G5101} hast thou {G4160} thus {G3779} dealt {G4160} with us {G2254}? behold {G2400}, thy {G4675} father {G3962} and I {G2504} have sought {G2212} thee {G4571} sorrowing {G3600}.

When his parents saw him, they were shocked; and his mother said to him, "Son! Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried looking for you!"

When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”

And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing.

Luke 2:48 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus's early life, revealing the human side of His upbringing alongside the burgeoning awareness of His divine identity. After three days of frantic searching, Mary and Joseph finally find their twelve-year-old son in the Temple, engaged in profound discussion with the teachers. Their relief is mixed with astonishment and a mother's heartfelt concern.

Context of Luke 2:48

This verse is part of the unique narrative in Luke's Gospel recounting Jesus's visit to Jerusalem for the Passover at the age of twelve. It immediately follows the account of Jesus being found in the Temple, astonishing all who heard Him with His understanding and answers (Luke 2:47). Mary and Joseph had traveled a day's journey from Jerusalem before realizing Jesus was not with their company. Their subsequent distressed search, spanning three days, underscores the depth of their parental concern and the unusual nature of this event.

Key Themes in Luke 2:48

  • Parental Concern and Anxiety: Mary's direct question, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing," powerfully conveys the deep distress and fear she and Joseph experienced. It highlights the very human aspect of their relationship with Jesus, seeing Him as their child.
  • Amazement and Wonder: The parents "were amazed" (KJV) or "astonished" (NIV) at finding Jesus. This amazement likely stemmed not only from finding Him in such an unexpected place but also from witnessing His extraordinary wisdom and composure among the religious teachers.
  • Foreshadowing of Divine Purpose: Mary's question, while born of anxiety, sets the stage for Jesus's profound response in the very next verse, signaling His awareness of His unique relationship with God and His divine mission.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "amazed" comes from the Greek exeplagēsan (ἐξεπλάγησαν), which means to be utterly astounded, struck with wonder, or overwhelmed. It denotes a strong reaction to something extraordinary, far beyond mere surprise.
  • "Sorrowing" is translated from the Greek odynōmenoi (ὀδυνώμενοι), a term indicating deep pain, anguish, or distress. It suggests a suffering that goes beyond simple sadness, reflecting the intense emotional turmoil Mary and Joseph endured during their three-day search.

Cross-References and Significance

This incident is significant as the only glimpse into Jesus's childhood between His infancy and the start of His public ministry. It offers a crucial insight into His self-awareness and the beginning of His assertion of His divine identity. Mary, though she later kept all these sayings in her heart, did not fully grasp the implications of Jesus's words at this time, highlighting the challenge of understanding God's divine plan even for those closest to Him (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Practical Application

Luke 2:48 reminds us that even divine plans unfold within human realities. Parents can relate to Mary and Joseph's anxiety and the challenges of raising children, even when those children are exceptional. It also teaches us about the gradual revelation of God's purposes. Just as Mary pondered these things, we are often called to trust God's plan even when we don't fully comprehend it, recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways. This verse encourages us to seek understanding of God's will with both diligence and faith, knowing that true peace comes from aligning our lives with His divine purpose.

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.

  • Matthew 12:46

    ¶ While he yet talked to the people, behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

  • Luke 2:49

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

  • Luke 3:23

    And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli,

  • Luke 4:22

    And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

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