Jesus, at twelve, in the Temple
Luke 2:41-52
When Jesus was twelve years old, he stayed behind in Jerusalem without Joseph and Mary knowing. After three days they found him in the Temple, among the teachers. Luke 2:41-52
The story, in plain words
Each year Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. At Passover, the people remembered how God brought them out of Egypt. When Jesus was twelve, they went up as usual. Luke 2:41-42
When the feast was over, they started for home. But Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without Joseph and Mary knowing. Luke 2:43
They thought he was with the others traveling with them, and they walked a whole day. Then they looked for him among their relatives and friends. Luke 2:44
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. Luke 2:45 After three days they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers.…
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See the mapWhat the Bible says
Luke 2:41-52
41And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, 42And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, 43And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. 44And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day’s journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. 45And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. 46And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. 47And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. 48And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father’s business? 50And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. 51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. 52And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
To talk about together
- How do you think Mary and Joseph felt during those three days?
- Jesus said he had to be in his Father’s house. What do you think he meant?
- For the child: what would you ask Jesus if you found him in the Temple?