Luke 2:36-52 ▼

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,

37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

38 And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had finished everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

40 Now the Child continued to grow and become strong, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

41 And His parents would go to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

42 And when He became twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

43 and as they were returning, after finishing the days of the Feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know.

44 But supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day’s journey, and they began searching for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem searching for Him.

46 And it happened that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

47 And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.

48 When they saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Child, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”

49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were searching for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

50 But they did not understand the statement which He had spoken to them.

51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them, and His mother was treasuring all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.