Luke 2:45

And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. AND WHEN THEY FOUND HIM NOT, THEY TURNED BACK AGAIN TO JERUSALEM, SEEKING HIM....

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 45. _SEEKING HIM._] ζητουντες αυτον - or rather, _seeking him_ _diligently_, ανζητουντες. This is the reading of BCDL, _six_ others, Vulgate, and _nine_ copies of the _Itala_. If they sought _earnestly_ when they first found him missing, there is little doubt that their _solicitude_ and _diligence_ must be greatly _increased_ during his three days' absence, therefore the word which I have adopted, on the above authority, is more likely to be the true reading than the ζητουντες of the common text, which simply signifies _seeking_; whereas the other strongly marks their _solicitude_ and _diligence_....

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

AND WHEN THEY FOUND HIM NOT,.... In the company that came from Jerusalem with them, nor among any of their relations and friends, with whom they supposed he was: THEY TURNED BACK AGAIN TO JERUSALEM, that is, the next morning, for it can hardly be thought they would set out that night, after they had travelled all day, without taking some repose: SEEKING HIM; at Jerusalem, in the streets and broad places of it; a figure of the church and ordinances, where souls look for, and inquire after their beloved, when they have lost him, Song of Solomon 3:1....

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)...

SEEKING. searching (all the way they went). Greek. _anaz_ as in Luke 2:44....

The Passover Visit to the Temple 41. _his parents_ The great Rabbi Hillel had _recommended_women to attend the Passover. It was not enjoined by the Law, but the Jews admired it as a pious practice. (_Mechilta_, f. 17. 2 in Schöttgen.) _at the feast of the passover_ Exodus 23:15-17; Deuteronomy 16:1-16. The custom of going up _three times_a year seems long to have fallen into abeyance with most Jews. 1 Samuel 1:21, "the yearly sacrifice....