Luke 2:51

KJV

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he went down {G2597} with {G3326} them {G846}, and {G2532} came {G2064} to {G1519} Nazareth {G3478}, and {G2532} was {G2258} subject {G5293} unto them {G846}: but {G2532} his {G846} mother {G3384} kept {G1301} all {G3956} these {G5023} sayings {G4487} in {G1722} her {G846} heart {G2588}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So he went with them to Natzeret and was obedient to them. But his mother stored up all these things in her heart.

Berean Standard Bible

Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

American Standard Version

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:51 marks the conclusion of the account of Jesus' childhood, depicting His return to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph after the profound temple incident at age twelve. This verse highlights Jesus' humble submission to His earthly parents, even after demonstrating divine wisdom, and underscores Mary's contemplative faith as she diligently treasured and pondered these extraordinary events in her heart, preparing for the unfolding revelation of her Son's identity and mission during His "hidden years."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the pivotal narrative of Jesus, at age twelve, being found teaching in the Jerusalem Temple, astonishing the religious leaders with His understanding and answers. His parents, Mary and Joseph, had frantically searched for Him for three days, only to find Him engaged in profound theological discourse. Jesus' response to their concern, "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" ([Luke 2:49](/luke/2-49 "Luke 2:49 - Jesus in the Temple")), reveals His unique divine consciousness. Luke 2:51 then serves as a crucial transition, showing Jesus' willing departure from this public display of divinity back to the quiet, ordinary life in Nazareth, thus setting the stage for the nearly two decades of "hidden years" before His public ministry, which are succinctly summarized in the subsequent verse, [Luke 2:52](/luke/2-52 "Luke 2:52 - Jesus' Growth").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The journey from Jerusalem to Nazareth involved descending from the Judean hills to the Galilean region, a common route for pilgrims returning from the Passover feast. Nazareth was a small, relatively obscure town in Galilee, often looked down upon (as seen in [John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can anything good come out of Nazareth?")). In Jewish culture, respect for and submission to parents was a foundational principle, rooted in the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - Honor Your Father and Mother")) and reinforced throughout the Law. For a young Jewish man, these "hidden years" (from age 12 to around 30) were typically spent learning a trade, contributing to the family, and growing within the community, preparing for adulthood. Jesus' willing submission here, despite His divine nature, would have been a perfect embodiment of these cultural and religious expectations.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 2:51 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' perfect humanity and humility**, demonstrating His willingness to live a seemingly ordinary life and submit to human authority, even as the Son of God. This foreshadows His ultimate obedience to the Father's will, a theme central to His redemptive mission. Secondly, it underscores **Mary's profound faith and contemplative nature**. Her act of "keeping all these sayings in her heart" echoes an earlier instance in [Luke 2:19](/luke/2-19 "Luke 2:19 - Mary Ponders These Things"), portraying her as a faithful witness who internalizes and discerns the unfolding mystery of God's plan through her Son. Lastly, the verse encapsulates the **importance of the "hidden years"** in Jesus' life, emphasizing that periods of quiet growth, learning, and preparation are integral to God's divine timing and purpose, even before a significant public ministry begins.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **subject (Greek, _hypotássō'_):** From G5293. This term literally means "to place under" and implies a voluntary submission to authority. It denotes a deliberate act of obedience and alignment under another's rightful authority. In this context, it emphasizes Jesus' perfect human example of honoring His parents, freely choosing to place Himself under their care and direction, despite His divine nature and precocious understanding.
* **kept (Greek, _diatēréō'_):** From G1301. This word means "to watch thoroughly" or "to observe strictly," implying a careful preservation or treasuring. Mary was not merely remembering; she was actively guarding, pondering, and internalizing these events and words, allowing them to deeply root in her understanding and faith. This highlights her role as a faithful witness and a discerning recipient of divine revelation.
* **heart (Greek, _kardía'_):** From G2588. In biblical anthropology, the "heart" is far more than a physical organ; it is the core of a person's being – the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character. Mary "keeping" these things in her heart means she was processing them deeply, meditating on their significance, and allowing them to shape her inner life and understanding of her Son's unique identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth":** This phrase describes the physical journey from Jerusalem, which is at a higher elevation, down to Nazareth in Galilee. It signifies Jesus' transition from the extraordinary spiritual encounter in the temple back to the ordinary, domestic life with His earthly family.
* **"and was subject unto them":** This is a profound statement about Jesus' character. Despite His divine wisdom and awareness of His unique relationship with the Father, He willingly and humbly submitted to the authority and guidance of Mary and Joseph. This demonstrates His perfect humanity and serves as a model of obedience within the family unit.
* **"but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart":** This clause highlights Mary's consistent response to the unfolding mystery of her Son's life. "Sayings" (Greek _rhēma_) refers not only to Jesus' words but also to the events and circumstances surrounding them. Mary's action signifies deep reflection, spiritual discernment, and a profound internalizing of the significance of what she witnessed, indicating her role as a faithful steward of God's revelation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. There is a powerful **Contrast** between the preceding scene, where Jesus asserts His divine identity and wisdom in the temple, and His subsequent humble submission to His earthly parents. This juxtaposition underscores both His divinity and His perfect humanity. The phrase "was subject unto them" serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at Jesus' ultimate and perfect obedience to His Heavenly Father's will, culminating in His sacrificial death. Furthermore, Luke utilizes **Repetition** by echoing the earlier description of Mary "keeping" things in her heart from [Luke 2:19](/luke/2-19 "Luke 2:19 - Mary Ponders These Things"), reinforcing her consistent contemplative nature and her role as a faithful witness who internalizes and discerns God's unfolding plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 2:51 offers profound theological insights into the nature of Christ and the character of true discipleship. Jesus' willing submission to His earthly parents, despite His divine nature and burgeoning awareness of His heavenly Father's business, underscores His perfect humanity and serves as a foundational example of humility and obedience. This act of submission is not a sign of weakness but of profound strength and alignment with God's will, demonstrating that true greatness in God's kingdom is often found in humble service and obedience. Mary's response, "keeping all these sayings in her heart," portrays a model of contemplative faith, emphasizing the importance of internalizing, pondering, and treasuring God's word and His works in our lives, allowing them to shape our understanding and spiritual growth.
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - The Humility of Christ")
* [Hebrews 5:8](/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8 - Jesus Learned Obedience")
* [Psalm 119:11](/psalms/119-11 "Psalm 119:11 - Hiding God's Word in the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 2:51 provides a rich tapestry of lessons for believers today, inviting us to reflect on the profound humility of Christ and the quiet depth of Mary's faith. Jesus' example of willing submission to His earthly parents, even after revealing His divine wisdom, challenges our own tendencies toward independence and self-assertion. It calls us to embrace humility and honor legitimate authority, particularly within the family and spiritual community, recognizing that true strength often lies in surrendered obedience. Mary's act of "keeping all these sayings in her heart" encourages us to cultivate a reflective, contemplative faith. In a world of constant distraction, we are called to intentionally pause, ponder, and internalize God's Word and His workings in our lives, allowing these truths to deeply root within us and transform our understanding. Furthermore, the "hidden years" of Jesus remind us that periods of quiet growth, learning, and preparation are invaluable and divinely purposed, even if they lack public recognition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' example of submission to His earthly parents challenge your understanding of authority and obedience in your own life?**
* **In what practical ways can you emulate Mary's contemplative faith by "keeping" and "pondering" God's Word and His actions in your heart?**
* **What might the "hidden years" of Jesus teach you about the value of quiet growth and preparation in your spiritual journey, even before a clear purpose or ministry emerges?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus, being the Son of God, need to be "subject" to Mary and Joseph?**

Answer: Jesus' submission to Mary and Joseph underscores His full humanity and His perfect embodiment of the Law. As the Son of God, He was also fully human, born under the Law ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - Born Under the Law")). His submission was not a sign of inferiority but a demonstration of His perfect obedience, which began in His childhood and culminated in His obedience to the Father's will on the cross. By submitting to His earthly parents, Jesus honored the divine command to "honor your father and your mother" ([Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - Honor Your Father and Mother")), setting a perfect example for all humanity. This obedience was crucial for Him to fulfill all righteousness and to truly identify with the human experience, preparing Him for His redemptive mission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:51, though seemingly a simple domestic scene, is deeply Christ-centered, foreshadowing the very essence of Jesus' redemptive work. His willing submission to Mary and Joseph in Nazareth is a microcosm of His greater, perfect obedience to His Heavenly Father, which is the cornerstone of our salvation. This early act of humility anticipates the ultimate self-emptying described in [Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ Emptied Himself"), where Christ, "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant." His obedient life, culminating in His death on the cross, is the means by which humanity is reconciled to God. Mary's act of "keeping all these sayings in her heart" also points to Christ, as she was uniquely positioned to witness the unfolding mystery of the Incarnation and the life of the one who would become the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Her pondering reflects the profound truth that the seemingly ordinary life in Nazareth was a vital part of God's extraordinary plan to bring salvation through His obedient Son, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")).

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

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.

Daniel 7:28

Hitherto [is] the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Genesis 37:11

And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

Mark 6:3

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Ephesians 6:1

¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Ephesians 6:2

Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

1 Peter 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: