Luke 2:43

Fulfilled the days. The paschal lamb was usually slain late in the afternoon of the 14th of Nisan, and eaten after sunset the same night, on the 15th (see Additional Notes on Matthew 26, Note 1). The 15th also was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which continued through the 21st, the 15th and 21st of Nisan being celebrated as sabbaths regardless of the days of the week on which they might fall (see on Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:6, 7). On the 16th the wave sheaf was presented before the Lord. The ceremonies of the 14th to the 16th day of the feast were considered the most important, and on the 17th those who had come up to Jerusalem to attend the feast were permitted to return home should they choose to do so. One circumstance narrated by Luke (see on v. 46) has led many commentators to think that Mary and Joseph departed at this time. However, the devotion with which they observed the requirements of the ritual law (see on vs. 41, 42) would seem to have led them to remain for the duration of the entire feast rather than only for the minimum time required by the rabbis. See Passion Week and Jesus’ Resurrection to Ascension.

Child. Gr. pais, “a boy” or, “a lad.” In v. 40 the word translated “child” is from paidon, the diminutive form of pais.

Jesus tarried. Christ’s obedient nature, even as a child, gave Joseph and Mary every reason for confidence in Him; His “bright, receptive mind,” marked by “thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years” (DA 68, 69), made His obedience not blind but intelligent. Even as a child, Jesus was ever attentive to, and anticipated the wants of, his parents (DA 80). He always seemed to know what to do, and was faithful in doing it; and on this occasion Mary and Joseph took for granted that He would do as He had done in the past.

Upon this visit to Jerusalem, Jesus for the first time realized that He was in a unique sense the Son of God (see DA 75, 78), and the implications of His earthly mission began to dawn upon His mind. He sincerely longed for a clearer understanding of the nature of His appointed work, and lingered in the Temple, the earthly house of His heavenly Father (see John 2:16), to commune further with Him.

The period of youth is ordained of God to be the time when children learn to think and act for themselves and to accept responsibility for their choices. When younger, they are of necessity largely dependent upon their parents in these matters; but when the period of youth draws to a close they are expected to have assumed the role of maturity. From the very first, parents should seek to develop in their children the ability to choose intelligently and to sense personal responsibility. But as childhood blends imperceptibly into youth it should be the purpose of parents to foster progress in this direction as rapidly as the child is qualified to accept the responsibilities of maturity. Young people should be permitted to make their own choices and to act independently of their parents as fast as they demonstrate the capacity to do so intelligently. There are few sights more pathetic than a youth at the border of maturity still bound to his parents by the limitations of choice and action that are appropriate to childhood. No person is less prepared to assume the responsibilities that accompany maturity. At the same time, youth should be taught to appreciate and consider seriously the counsel and admonition of their parents, and, throughout life, to seek benefit from the wisdom and experience of others (see on v. 51).

Joseph and his mother. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 146) the reading “his parents” (see on v. 41).