Luke 2:41

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. NOW HAS PARENTS WENT, [ eporeuonto (G4198)] - 'were wont' or, 'used to go' TO JERUSALEM EVERY YEAR AT THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER. Though the males only were required to go up to Jerusalem at the three annual festivals (Exodus 23:14-2), devout women, when family duties permitted, went also. So did Hannah (1 Samuel 1:7), and, as here appears, the mother of Jesus....

41._And his parents went every year to Jerusalem _It is mentioned in commendation of the piety of Mary and Joseph, that they gave diligent attendance to the outward worship of God. It was not of their own accord, but by a divine command, that they undertook this annual journey. The law enjoins the, males “only to, appear before the Lord,” (Exodus 23:17.) This arrangement does not entirely exclude females, but spares them by an exercise of kindness. This mark distinguishes the true religion from vain and wicked superstitions. The former confines itself within the limits of obedience to God, and of compliance with the enactments of his law. The latter wander, at their own pleasure, beyond the limits of God’s word, without any fixed rule. The worship of the temple was, no doubt, infected with many corruptions, the priesthood was sold for money, and doctrine was involved in many errors.

41-52 It is for the honour of Christ that children should attend on public worship. His parents did not return till they had stayed all the seven days of the feast. It is well to stay to the end of an ordinance, as becomes those who say, It is good to be here. Those that have lost their comforts in Christ, and the evidences of their having a part in him, must bethink themselves where, and when, and how they lost them, and must turn back again. Those that would recover their lost acquaintance with Christ, must go to the place in which he has put his name; there they may hope to meet him. They found him in some part of the temple, where the doctors of the law kept their schools; he was sitting there, hearkening to their instructions, proposing questions, and answering inquiries, with such wisdom, that those who heard were delighted with him. Young persons should seek the knowledge of Divi...

Verse 41. _HIS PARENTS WENT - EVERY YEAR_] This was their constant custom, because positively enjoined by the law, Exodus 23:17. But it does not appear that _infants_ were obliged to be present; and yet _all the men-children_ are positively ordered to make their appearance at Jerusalem _thrice_ in the year, Exodus 34:23. And our Lord, being now _twelve_ years old, Luke 2:42, accompanies his parents to the feast. Probably this was the _very age_ at which the male children were obliged to appear before the Lord at the three public festivals - the feast of unleavened bread, of weeks, and of tabernacles. According to the Jewish canons, it was the age at which they were obliged to begin to learn a trade....

EXPOSITION LUKE 2:1 _The Redeemer's birth_. LUKE 2:1 THERE WENT OUT A DECREE FROM CAESAR AUGUSTUS, THAT ALL THE WORLD SHOULD BE TAXED; more accurately, _that there should be a registration_, etc.; that is, with a view to the assessment of a tax. On the historical note of St. Luke in this passage much discussion has arisen, not, however, of much real practical interest to the ordinary devout reader. We will glance very briefly at the main criticism of this and the following verse. Respecting this general registration it is alleged (1) no historian of the time mentions such a decree of Augustus. (2) Supposing Augustus had issued such an edict, Herod, in his kingdom of Judaea, would

NOW HIS PARENTS WENT TO JERUSALEM EVERY YEAR,.... Joseph was obliged to go three times a year, as were all the males in Israel, at the feasts of the passover, pentecost, and tabernacles, Deuteronomy 16:16. The first of these is expressed here, at the feast of the passover; but the women were not obliged to go up: for so it is said by the Jews p, פסחן של נשים רשות, "the passover of women is voluntary", or in their own power; they might go up to the feast, or not, as they pleased. It is indeed said of Hillell, who was now alive, that he obliged the women to the first, but not to a second passover: to which the Karaites object; the account they give is as follows q; "truly the women were obliged, by the school of Hillell, to the offering of the passover; but if they were hindered from the first passover, the second was in their power; that is, the thing depend

LUKE 2:41 oi` gonei/j auvtou/ In the interest of safeguarding the doctrine of the virgin birth a few copyists and translators replaced oi` gonei/j auvtou/ with the proper names o[ te VIwsh.f kai. h` Maria,m (1012 ita, b, 1 [itc, ff2 add _mater eius_] Diatessaron1, t). (See also the comments on verses 33 and 43.)...

CHAPTER 2 _ 1. The Birth of Christ at Bethlehem (Luke 2:1)_ 2. The Glad Tidings Announced to the Shepherds. (Luke 2:8) 3. The Circumcision and Presentation (Luke 2:21) 4. Simeon and His Prophecy (Luke 2:25) 5. Anna the Prophetess (Luke 2:36) 6. In Nazareth (Luke 2:39) 7. In the Temple (Luke 2:41) 8. The Increase ...

AN INCIDENT IN JESUS-' BOYHOOD. The lad grows in body and mind and is blessed by God. When He is twelve years old He accompanies His parents to the Passover at Jerusalem, and when the week's Feast is over, remains behind unknown to them. They return to seek Him, and after a long search find Him in one of the Temple porticos joining intelligently in the discussions of the scribes. He goes home and Uves obediently with them, and continues His allround development (_cf._ Luke 2:40, also Luke 1:80; 1 Samuel 2:26). LUKE 2:42. Like Samuel's parents, those of Jesus go to the central shrine once instead of three times ...

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM (Luke 2:1-7)...