Luke 2:49

How is it? The words of Jesus do not reflect resentment that His parents were concerned about Him, but innocent surprise that they should have experienced difficulty and anxiety in finding Him. Why should they have had so difficult a time finding their Son? Where else in Jerusalem would they expect to find Him but in the Temple? They knew of His interest in and devotion to religious things. And why should they have been “sorrowing” and “anxious” for Him? Had He ever given them occasion for concern? He had simply remained in the Temple when they departed. That was where they had left Him (see DA 78), and where they might expect to find Him again. Furthermore, He had not run off from them; they had left without Him. The blame lay with His parents, and they should not have censured Him. However, Jesus’ awareness of His relationship to His heavenly Father did not lessen His sense of duty toward His earthly parents (see v. 51).

Wist ye not? Did you not know? But “they understood not” (v. 50).

I must be. Literally, “it is necessary for me to be,” or “it behooves me to be.” Was not Jesus ever true to duty? Did He not always deal faithfully with His assigned tasks? As a child, Jesus was already conscious of the destiny that called upon Him to do, not His own will, but the will of His Father in heaven (see Matthew 7:21; 26:39; John 4:34).

My Father’s business. Literally, “in the [things] of my Father,” an expression that could refer either to the “business” of His Father or to the “house” (RSV) of His Father. Mary had just referred to Joseph as the “father” of Jesus (v. 48). Jesus does not deny that relationship directly, but affirms distinctly that God in heaven is His Father. For the first time in His life Jesus understands and proclaims His deity. It is worthy of note that these, the first recorded words of Jesus, affirm His deity. In His own heart was born an understanding of the mystery of His mission to earth (DA 82), but His parents “understood not the saying which he spake unto them” (v. 50).

Before Christ came to this earth the plan for His life “lay out before Him, perfect in all its details” (DA 147). Like the time set for the incarnation (Galatians 4:4; DA 31), “each event in His work had its appointed hour” (DA 451). Nevertheless, when He came to earth He was guided step by step, as He walked among men, by the Father’s will, unfolded to Him day by day (DA 147). For comment on the prayer life of Jesus, the avenue through which divine guidance was made a reality in His life, see on Mark 1:35; 3:13.

Again and again Jesus expressed the thought, “My time is not yet come” (John 7:6, 8); but as the last Passover He said, “My time is at hand” (Matthew 26:18). It is our privilege to live a life daily surrendered to the Father as Christ did, and to be guided in fulfilling our appointed part in His great plan (DA 209; see John 15:10).

Throughout the days of eternity the Lord Jesus was equal with the Father (see on John 1:1—3), but at the time of the incarnation He accepted a role subordinate to the Father (see Additional Note on John 1; see on Luke 1:31, 35; John 1:14). Now at the age of 12 He became aware for the first time of His Sonship to the heavenly Father and of His role as a man among men.