Luke 2:41-50

English Standard Version

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

⁴¹ Now ^(A)his parents went ^(B)to Jerusalem every year at ^(C)the Feast of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, ^(D)they went up according to custom. ⁴³ And when the feast ^(E)was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. ^(F)His parents did not know it, ⁴⁴ but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, ⁴⁵ and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, ^(G)sitting among ^(H)the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ And when his parents^[a] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, ^(I)your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that ^(J)I must be in ^(K)my Father's house?”^{[b] 50} And ^(L)they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.