Luke 2:52

KJV

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} increased {G4298} in wisdom {G4678} and {G2532} stature {G2244}, and {G2532} in favour {G5485} with {G3844} God {G2316} and {G2532} man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And Yeshua grew both in wisdom and in stature, gaining favor both with other people and with God.

Berean Standard Bible

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

American Standard Version

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 2:52 offers a profound and concise summation of Jesus' growth during His "silent years," bridging the period from His childhood encounter in the Temple to the commencement of His public ministry. This pivotal verse highlights the holistic and perfectly balanced development of the incarnate Son of God, presenting Him as the quintessential model for human maturation across intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social dimensions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful concluding statement for Luke's account of Jesus' early life, immediately following the singular narrative of His visit to the Temple at the age of twelve. In that remarkable incident, Jesus displayed an astonishing depth of understanding and theological insight, engaging with and even astounding the learned teachers of Israel ([Luke 2:46-47](/luke/2-46-47 "Luke 2:46-47 - Jesus in the Temple")). Despite this extraordinary manifestation of His divine wisdom, the narrative emphasizes that Jesus then returned to Nazareth with His parents and remained obedient to them ([Luke 2:51](/luke/2-51 "Luke 2:51 - Jesus' Obedience")). Luke 2:52 then provides a sweeping summary of the subsequent eighteen years, a period of obscurity and normal human development, before His emergence into public ministry around the age of thirty ([Luke 3:23](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23 - Jesus Begins His Ministry")). This structure underscores that even the Son of God experienced a period of growth and preparation, mirroring the human experience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' upbringing took place in Nazareth, a small, unassuming town in Galilee, a region often looked down upon by those in Judea ([John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can anything good come out of Nazareth?")). First-century Jewish culture placed a high value on wisdom, particularly wisdom rooted in the Torah and the fear of the Lord ([Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")). Physical growth was a natural part of life, but the emphasis on "stature" here also implies a progression towards maturity and readiness for adult responsibilities. "Favour with God" would have been understood within a covenantal framework, signifying divine approval and blessing upon a life lived in accordance with God's will. "Favour with man" would have reflected the respect and good standing earned within the close-knit community of Nazareth, where one's character and conduct were constantly observed. This holistic development would have prepared Jesus for the immense task of His public ministry, aligning with the Jewish understanding of a prophet or rabbi needing to be well-rounded.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 2:52 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **true humanity of Jesus**, emphasizing that the Incarnation meant a genuine, progressive development in all aspects of human existence—intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social. This counters any notion of a docetic Christ who only *appeared* human. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine preparation and timing**, showing that Jesus' public ministry was not a sudden event but the culmination of a period of intentional growth and maturation under God's providential hand. Even the Son of God submitted to a process of preparation, setting an example for all who would serve God. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Jesus as the perfect human**, fulfilling the ideal of human development in a way that Adam failed, demonstrating perfect obedience and growth in all areas, thereby making Him the ultimate example for all believers to emulate ([Ephesians 4:13](/ephesians/4-13 "Ephesians 4:13 - Attaining to the Whole Measure of the Fullness of Christ")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **increased (Greek, _prokóptō'_):** This term literally means "to drive forward (as if by beating)" or "to cut one's way forward." Figuratively, it signifies "to advance," "to make progress," or "to wax." In this context, it emphasizes a continuous, progressive advancement in Jesus' development, not a static state. It implies effort and a dynamic process of growth, even for the Son of God.
* **stature (Greek, _hēlikía'_):** While it can refer to "age," in this context, _hēlikía_ primarily denotes "physical size" or "height." It speaks to Jesus' natural, biological growth from childhood through adolescence to adulthood, affirming His full physical humanity. This is a simple yet profound statement about His bodily development.
* **favour (Greek, _cháris'_):** Often translated as "grace," _cháris_ here conveys "graciousness," "goodwill," "acceptance," or "divine influence upon the heart." When applied to "favour with God," it speaks of God's approval and delight in Jesus' life and character. When applied to "favour with man," it indicates the positive regard, respect, and acceptance Jesus garnered from those around Him due to His exemplary conduct and character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus increased in wisdom":** This clause highlights Jesus' intellectual and cognitive development. Despite being the Son of God, He experienced a genuine human process of learning, understanding, and gaining insight. This "wisdom" (σοφία, _sophia_) refers not merely to factual knowledge but to practical understanding, discernment, and the ability to apply truth, which deepened over time.
* **"and stature":** This refers to Jesus' physical growth and maturation. Like any human being, He grew physically from a child into a man. This emphasizes the reality of His incarnate body, subject to the natural laws of human development, affirming His full humanity.
* **"and in favour with God":** This signifies Jesus' spiritual growth and the deepening of His perfect relationship with the Father. It speaks of divine approval, pleasure, and blessing upon His life. His obedience, character, and communion with God were perfectly aligned, earning Him the Father's continuous favor.
* **"and man":** This indicates Jesus' social development and the positive regard He received from His community. His character, conduct, and interactions earned Him respect, goodwill, and acceptance from the people around Him in Nazareth. He was not only spiritually pleasing to God but also socially commendable among humans.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 2:52 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically a four-fold structure that outlines the comprehensive nature of Jesus' growth: wisdom (intellectual), stature (physical), favor with God (spiritual), and favor with man (social). This symmetrical presentation emphasizes the balanced and complete development of Jesus, presenting a holistic model. The verse also functions as a powerful **Summary Statement**, serving as an epilogue to Jesus' early life narratives and a concise bridge to His public ministry. It uses **Conciseness** to pack immense theological and biographical information into a single sentence, leaving the reader to ponder the significance of these "silent years." Furthermore, the statement carries a strong element of **Idealization**, presenting Jesus as the perfect human exemplar whose growth in all these dimensions sets the ultimate standard for human flourishing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 2:52 is profoundly significant, affirming the Incarnation's reality by showcasing Jesus' true humanity and progressive development. It demonstrates that the Son of God, while fully divine, genuinely experienced human growth, learning, and maturation, setting Him apart as the perfect and relatable High Priest who understands human frailty, yet without sin. This balanced growth also serves as a divine blueprint for human flourishing, encouraging believers to pursue holistic development in all aspects of their lives—intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social—as an act of worship and a means of reflecting Christ's character to the world.

* [1 Samuel 2:26](/1_samuel/2-26 "1 Samuel 2:26 - Samuel's Growth")
* [Proverbs 3:3-4](/proverbs/3-3-4 "Proverbs 3:3-4 - Favor with God and Man")
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 2:52 provides a timeless and compelling paradigm for every believer's life. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, willingly submitted to the human process of growth, demonstrating that development in wisdom, physical well-being, spiritual intimacy with God, and positive relationships with others is not merely desirable but essential for a well-rounded and impactful life. This verse challenges us to move beyond compartmentalized spirituality, urging us to intentionally cultivate growth in all these interconnected areas. Just as Jesus prepared for His public ministry through these silent years of development, we too are called to continuous growth, not just for personal benefit, but so that we might more effectively embody and communicate the gospel in our spheres of influence, bringing glory to God and serving humanity. Our pursuit of wisdom, stewardship of our bodies, deepening of our walk with God, and cultivation of healthy relationships are all acts of worship and discipleship, mirroring the very life of our Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In which of the four areas (wisdom, stature, favor with God, favor with man) do you feel you are growing most consistently? In which area do you need to intentionally focus more?**
* **How does Jesus' genuine human growth, as described in this verse, make Him more relatable or inspiring to you?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to "increase" in one of these four dimensions, reflecting Jesus' holistic development?**

### FAQ
**Did Jesus truly "grow" in wisdom if He was God?**

Answer: Yes, Luke 2:52 affirms a genuine, progressive growth in Jesus' human wisdom. While Jesus was fully divine and possessed omniscience as God, His incarnation meant He also took on full humanity, including a human mind. As a man, He experienced the normal human process of learning, understanding, and gaining insight. This growth in wisdom refers to His human intellect's development and application of divine truth within the confines of His human experience. It highlights the mystery of the hypostatic union—that Jesus was fully God and fully man, and His humanity developed authentically, even as His divinity remained constant. This growth demonstrates His full identification with humanity and His perfect example for us.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 2:52, while describing Jesus' human development, points profoundly to His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. His growth in wisdom prepared Him to teach with unparalleled authority, speaking words of life and truth that would confound His adversaries and enlighten His disciples, as seen throughout His public ministry ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus' Authoritative Teaching")). His growth in stature enabled Him to endure the physical rigors of ministry, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, a physical act of atonement for the sins of the world ([John 19:17-18](/john/19-17-18 "John 19:17-18 - The Crucifixion")). His increasing favor with God culminated in the Father's ultimate affirmation at His baptism ([Luke 3:22](/luke/3-22 "Luke 3:22 - The Father's Affirmation at Baptism")) and transfiguration ([Luke 9:35](/luke/9-35 "Luke 9:35 - The Voice from the Cloud")), signifying His perfect obedience and unique status as the beloved Son, ultimately leading to His glorification and ascension to the Father's right hand ([Acts 7:55-56](/acts/7-55-56 "Acts 7:55-56 - Stephen Sees Jesus at God's Right Hand")). Finally, His favor with man, though ultimately rejected by many, allowed Him to draw disciples, heal the sick, and minister compassionately to the crowds, demonstrating the perfect love of God incarnate ([Luke 4:40-41](/luke/4-40-41 "Luke 4:40-41 - Jesus Heals Many")). Thus, Luke 2:52 is not merely a biographical note but a prophetic foreshadowing of the fully equipped Christ, perfectly prepared to accomplish His redemptive 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.

Cross-References

Luke 2:40

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Proverbs 3:3

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Proverbs 3:4

So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

1 Samuel 2:26

And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

Romans 14:18

For he that in these things serveth Christ [is] acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Luke 1:80

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Acts 7:9

And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,