Luke 2:42

Luke 2:42 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
• New International Version (NIV)When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.
• New Living Translation (NLT)When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.

Context of Luke 2:42

40And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. 41His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

Luke 2:42 word by word

Καὶ ὅτε ἐγένετο ἐτῶν δώδεκα ἀναβαινόντων αὐτῶν κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἑορτῆςRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• whenὅτεhote ho te hē te tō te · whenG3753
• he wasγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• twelveδώδεκαdōdeka · twelveG1427
• years oldἔτοςetos · yearG2094
• theyαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• went upἀναβαίνωanabainō · to ascendG305
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• JerusalemἹεροσόλυμαHierosoluma · JerusalemG2414
• afterκατάkata · according toG2596
• the customὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the customἔθοςethos · customG1485
• of the feastἑορτήheortē · festivalG1859

Commentaries on Luke 2:42

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 42Twelve years old - All males among the Hebrews were required to appear three times a year before God, to attend on the ordinances of religion in the temple, and it is probable that this was the age at which they first went up to Jerusalem, Exodus 23:14-17; Deuteronomy 16:16. To Jerusalem - Where the feasts of the Jews were all held. This was a journey from Nazareth of about 70 miles. After the custom of the feast - According to the usual manner of the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 41-52Verses 41-52 It is for the honour of Christ that children should attend on public worship. His parents did not return till they had stayed all the seven days of the feast. It is well to stay to the end of an ordinance, as becomes those who say, It is good to be here. Those that have lost their comforts in Christ, and the evidences of their having a part in him, must bethink themselves where, and when, and how they lost them, and must turn back again…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 42He was twelve years old: A Jewish boy took on his covenant responsibilities (duties in God’s agreement with his people) at about age 13. The bar mitzvah (a later ceremony marking this stage) developed afterward to express this custom. By bringing Jesus to Jerusalem at this time, his parents were preparing him to take his place in the covenant community.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4242. went up--"were wont to go." Though males only were required to go up to Jerusalem at the three annual festivals (Ex 23:14-17), devout women, when family duties permitted, went also, as did Hannah (1Sa 1:7), and, as we here see, the mother of Jesus. when twelve years old--At this age every Jewish boy was styled "a son of the law," being put under a course of instruction and trained to fasting and attendance on public worship, besides being set to learn…Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 2:42

• Feasts
• Jesus, the Christ
• Joseph
• Passover

In the dictionaries

• Jerusalem
• Consolation
• Decree
• Depart
• Devout
• Glory
• Inn
• Lighten
• Mary
• Pair

Commentaries on Luke 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings