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?

And {G2532} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, How {G5101} is it that {G3754} ye sought {G2212} me {G3165}? wist ye {G1492} not {G3756} that {G3754} I {G3165} must {G1163} be {G1511} about {G1722} my {G3450} Father's business {G3962}?

He said to them, "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be concerning myself with my Father's affairs?"

“Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father’s house?

Commentary

Luke 2:49 KJV records the first spoken words of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, revealing His profound self-awareness and mission even as a twelve-year-old boy. Found by His distraught parents, Mary and Joseph, after being lost for three days, Jesus responds with a question that clarifies His unique identity and purpose.

Context

This pivotal verse occurs during a Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem, a significant annual event for Jewish families. After the feast, Mary and Joseph departed, assuming Jesus was among their traveling companions. When they realized He was missing, they returned to Jerusalem, frantically searching for three days. They finally found Him in the Temple courts, not lost, but engaged in deep discussion with the religious teachers, "both hearing them, and asking them questions" (Luke 2:46). Their relief was mixed with concern, and Mary questioned His disappearance. Jesus' reply in verse 49 marks a crucial moment, demonstrating His early understanding of His divine lineage and calling.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Divine Awareness: This verse is a powerful declaration of Jesus' unique relationship with God as His Father. It's His earliest recorded statement acknowledging His divine Sonship and purpose, setting Him apart from ordinary children. His question, "wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" highlights a deep, innate understanding of His heavenly origin and destiny.
  • Priority of God's Will: Jesus' response underscores that His primary allegiance and focus were on His heavenly Father's will and work. Even at a young age, He understood that His earthly family's concerns, while valid, were secondary to His divine mission. This foreshadows His lifelong dedication to doing the will of Him who sent Him.
  • Wisdom and Understanding: The context shows Jesus not merely in the Temple, but actively engaging with and astonishing learned teachers with His "understanding and answers" (Luke 2:47). This verse, coupled with His later growth in "wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52), illustrates His unparalleled intellectual and spiritual development.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wist ye not" is an archaic English expression from the King James Version, meaning "did you not know?" or "were you not aware?" It implies a gentle rebuke or a questioning of their lack of understanding regarding His true identity. The crucial phrase, "my Father's business," translates the Greek en tois tou patros mou (ἐν τοῖς τοῦ πατρός μου). This literally means "in the things of my Father" or "in my Father's house." It encompasses both the physical location (the Temple, which is God's house) and, more profoundly, His divine work and mission. Jesus was not merely in the Temple; He was engaged in the very purpose for which His Father had sent Him.

Practical Application

Luke 2:49 challenges believers to consider their own priorities. Just as Jesus was singularly focused on "His Father's business," we are called to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). This verse encourages us to:

  • Discern and Pursue God's Purpose: What is "my Father's business" for you? It involves understanding your calling and actively engaging in God's will for your life.
  • Prioritize Spiritual Matters: While earthly responsibilities are important, our ultimate purpose should align with God's eternal plan.
  • Grow in Understanding: Like young Jesus, we should continually seek to learn and deepen our knowledge of God and His Word.

This early glimpse into Jesus' consciousness serves as a timeless reminder of His divine nature and His unwavering commitment to His heavenly Father's mission.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 6:38 (26 votes)

    For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

  • John 8:29 (22 votes)

    And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

  • Malachi 3:1 (18 votes)

    ¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • John 4:34 (16 votes)

    Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

  • Psalms 40:8 (16 votes)

    I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.

  • Luke 2:48 (14 votes)

    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.

  • John 5:17 (13 votes)

    ¶ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.