Luke 2:27-52 ▼

27 Led by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do with regard to Him according to the custom of the Law,

28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 "Now, O Sovereign Lord, Thou dost send Thy servant away in peace, in fulfilment of Thy word,

30 Because mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,

31 Which Thou hast made ready in the sight of all nations--

32 A light to shine upon the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel."

33 And while the child's father and mother were wondering at the words of Symeon concerning Him,

34 Symeon blessed them and said to Mary the mother, "This child is appointed for the falling and the uprising of many in Israel and for a token to be spoken against;

35 and a sword will pierce through your own soul also; that the reasonings in many hearts may be revealed."

36 There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, belonging to the tribe of Asher. She was of a very great age, having had after her maidenhood seven years of married life,

37 and then being a widow of eighty-four years. She was never absent from the Temple, but worshipped, by day and by night, with fasting and prayer.

38 And coming up just at that moment, she gave thanks to God, and spoke about the child to all who were expecting the deliverance of Jerusalem.

39 Then, as soon as they had accomplished all that the Law required, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

40 And the child grew and became strong and full of wisdom, and the favour of God rested upon Him.

41 Now His parents used to go up year by year to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover.

42 And when He was twelve years old they went up as was customary at the time of the Feast, and,

43 after staying the full number of days, when they started back home the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not discover this,

44 but supposing Him to be in the travelling company, they proceeded a day's journey. Then they searched up and down for Him among their relatives and acquaintances;

45 but being unable to find Him they returned to Jerusalem, making anxious inquiry for Him.

46 On the third day they found Him in the Temple sitting among the Rabbis, both listening to them and asking them questions,

47 while all who heard Him were astonished at His intelligence and at the answers He gave.

48 When they saw Him, they were smitten with amazement, and His mother said to Him, "My child, why have you behaved thus to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in anguish."

49 "Why is it that you have been searching for me?" He replied; "did you not know that it is my duty to be engaged upon my Father's business?"

50 But they did not understand the significance of these words.

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was always obedient to them; but His mother carefully treasured up all these incidents in her memory.

52 And as Jesus grew older He gained in both wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.