Jesus Tarrying Behind in Jerusalem - Luke 2:43

Luke the physician wrote how Joseph and Mary, “went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast”, and in chapter two and verse forty-three of his book Luke shared how Jesus', “tarried behind in Jerusalem” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem;” Luke began with the words, “and when” or “at the time and moment” “they had fulfilled the days” which means “Joseph, Mary and Jesus completed the days allotted for the passover feast”, “as they returned” which means “during the time Joseph and Mary went back toward their home in Nazareth”, “the child Jesus” which refers to “Joseph and Mary's male son named Jesus which means Jehovah is Salvation and is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate,” “tarried behind in Jerusalem” which means “endured, remained and continued to stay in the city of Jerusalem which means set you double peace”. Luke shared how Joseph and Mary departed toward their home in Nazareth after the “days” of the “passover” custom were completed, however, Jesus stayed behind in the city of “Jerusalem”.

The verse goes on to say, “and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.” Luke continued with the words, “and Joseph” which means “let him add” and was “the earthly father of Jesus” “and his mother” or “and Mary who was the direct female progenitor and ancestor of Jesus” “knew not of it” which means “did not get knowledge of, perceive or become acquainted with Jesus staying behind”. Luke shared how Jesus' parents did not know that He stayed behind in “Jerusalem”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we discover an interesting development in this part of the story of Jesus. Jesus, rather than going back home with His parents, stayed behind in Jerusalem. Because people usually traveled in a group to events like this one, it would have been easy to assume Jesus was with others instead of directly with Joseph and Mary. God had a plan for this part of Jesus' life, and as we consider why He stayed in Jerusalem, let us be reminded that God desires for every person to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will consider every story concerning Jesus and submit to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus' parents, “sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".