Luke 2:43 Meaning and Explanation
“And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When the feast ends, Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem, and His parents do not realize it.
What Does Luke 2:43 Mean?
The days of the feast fulfilled, the pilgrim caravans turn homeward, but the boy Jesus tarries behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and His mother, assuming He is somewhere in the traveling company, set out unaware.
For the first time in the narrative, Jesus acts apart from His parents' knowledge, held by something in Jerusalem stronger than the road home. The scene that follows will reveal what kept Him: His Father's house. Even at twelve, an inner summons governs Him that those nearest Him do not yet perceive. Here begins the gentle, necessary discovery every parent of this child must make: He belongs, first and finally, to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 2:43
What does Luke 2:43 mean?
When the feast ends, Jesus stays behind in Jerusalem, and His parents do not realize it.