Luke 2:39-46

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:45

And when they found him not ,.... In the company that came from Jerusalem with them, nor among any of their relations and friends, with whom they supposed he was: they turned back again to Jerusalem , that is, the next morning, for it can hardly be thought they would set out that night, after they had travelled all day, without taking some repose: seeking him ; at Jerusalem, in the streets and broad places of it; a figure of the church and ordinances, where souls look for, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:46

And it came to pass, that after three days ,.... From their first setting out from Jerusalem, when Jesus tarried behind; or on the third day, which may be reckoned thus; the first day was spent in journeying, and the second in coming back the same journey, and the third day they sought all Jerusalem for him, when they found him in the temple ; his Father's house, the house of God, a figure of a Gospel church, where the word and ordinances are duly administered, and where Christ is to be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:39

They returned into Galilee - But not immediately: for the coming of the wise men, and the retreat of Joseph with his family into Egypt, happened between this period of time, and his going to Nazareth in Galilee. - Bp. Pearce. But it is very likely, that as soon as the presentation in the temple, and the ceremonies relative to it, had been accomplished, that the holy family did return to Galilee, as St. Luke here states, and that they continued there till Herod's bloody purpose was discovered... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:40

The child grew - As to his body - being in perfect health. Waxed strong in spirit - His rational soul became strong and vigorous. Filled with wisdom - The divinity continuing to communicate itself more and more, in proportion to the increase of the rational principle. The reader should never forget that Jesus was perfect man, as well as God. And the grace of God was upon him - The word χαρις , not only means grace in the common acceptation of the word, (some blessing granted by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:41

His parents went - every year - This was their constant custom, because positively enjoined by the law, Exodus 23:17 . But it does not appear that infants were obliged to be present; and yet all the men-children are positively ordered to make their appearance at Jerusalem thrice in the year, Exodus 34:23 . And our Lord, being now twelve years old, Luke 2:42 , accompanies his parents to the feast. Probably this was the very age at which the male children were obliged to appear before... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:43

Had fulfilled the days - Eight days in the whole: one was the passover, and the other seven, the days of unleavened bread. See on Matthew 26:2 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:44

Supposing him to have been in the company - Some have supposed that the men and women marched in separate companies on these occasions, which is very likely; and that sometimes the children kept company with the men, sometimes with the women. This might have led to what otherwise seems to have been inexcusable carelessness in Joseph and Mary. Joseph, not seeing Jesus in the men's company, might suppose he was with his mother in the women's company; and Mary, not seeing him with her, might... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:45

Seeking him - Ζητουντες αυτον - or rather, seeking him diligently, αναζητουντες . This is the reading of BCDL, six others, Vulgate, and nine copies of the Itala. If they sought earnestly when they first found him missing, there is little doubt that their solicitude and diligence must be greatly increased during his three days' absence, therefore the word which I have adopted, on the above authority, is more likely to be the true reading than the ζητουντες of the common text, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:46

Sitting in the midst of the doctors - The rabbins, who were explaining the law and the ceremonies of the Jewish religion to their disciples. Asking them questions - Not as a scholar asks his teacher, to be informed; but as a teacher, who proposes questions to his scholars in order to take an occasion to instruct them. In the time of Josephus, the Jewish teachers were either very ignorant or very humble: for he tells us that, "when he was about fourteen years of age, the chief priests,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:39

Verse 39 39.They returned to Galilee The departure to Egypt, I readily acknowledge, came between those events; and the fact mentioned by Luke, that they dwelt in their own city Nazareth, is later, in point of time, than the flight into Egypt, which Matthew relates, (Matthew 2:14.) But if there was no impropriety in one Evangelist leaving out what is related by another, there was nothing to prevent Luke from overleaping the period which he did not intend to mention, and passing at once to the... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:45

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 2:46

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:39

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:40

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:41

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:43

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:44

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:45

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:46

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 2:39

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