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The Life of ChristEvent 8 / 23
Section 005 · Infancy & the Forerunner

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

The child grows in wisdom; at twelve he is found in the temple among the teachers — and gives his first recorded words: “I must be about my Father’s business.”

Luke 2:40–521 of 5 accountsReading: RE
Study — reading text with parallel accounts; changes available.
? How to read this edition

The reading is the Restoration Edition — the Joseph Smith Translation reading — carried beside each Gospel and set against the King James baseline. Headers give both numbering systems: the RE chapter and verse, and the traditional KJV reference.

JST
Green — Joseph Smith Translation. Where the Restoration Edition departs in substance from the King James text and the change is in the JST (confirmed against the parallel-column edition). Modernized English (“has” for “hath,” “you” for “thou”) is not marked.
RE
Burgundy — Restoration Edition. Where the RE’s reading departs from the King James but the change is not in the Joseph Smith Translation — the RE’s own editorial reading (e.g. “this day I have begotten you” at the baptism).
DS
Plum — Testimony of St. John. The TSJ (a separate scripture text) and Denver Snuffer’s later commentary share the plum mark.
◇Single witness. Luke alone preserves a scene from the boyhood of Jesus; the JST shows the temple teachers learning from the boy.
LukeLuke 2:40–52RE Luke 2:7–8

40And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover, 42and when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and his mother knew not that he tarried, 44but they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey, and they sought him among his kindred and acquaintance. 45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46And it came to pass, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors. And they were hearing him and asking him questions. 47And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48And when his parents saw him, they were amazed, and his mother said unto him, Son, why have you thus dealt with us? Behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing. 49And he said unto them, Why is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business? 50And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them.

51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. And his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Cross-references · other works
JST Matthew 3:24–26 (RE Matthew 1:13) — he needed no teacher↗1 Samuel 2:26 — the child Samuel grew in favor↗Isaiah 11:2 — the spirit of wisdom and understanding↗
Points to Ponder
  • These are the first recorded words of Jesus — and the JST shows the temple teachers hearing and questioning him, the boy instructing the learned. What does it mean that the Son “needed not that any man should teach him”?
  • Twice Mary “kept all these sayings in her heart” — at the Nativity, and again here, where she did not understand. What is the work of treasuring what we cannot yet make sense of?
  • Luke wraps the boyhood in two refrains: the child grew and waxed strong (v40), and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and favor (v52). What does it mean that even the Son grew into his calling, “subject” to his parents until the hour drew near?