Luke 2:43

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Had fulfilled the days - Eight days in the whole: one was the passover, and the other seven, the days of unleavened bread. See on Matthew 26:2; (note).

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Had fulfilled the days - The days of the Passover. These were eight days in all - one day for killing the paschal lamb, and seven days for the observance of the feast of unleavened bread, Exodus 12:15; Leviticus 23:5-6.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

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 Divine truth, attend the ministry of the gospel, and ask such questions of their elders and teachers as may tend to increase their knowledge. Those who seek Christ in sorrow, shall find him with the greater joy. Know ye not that I ought to be in my Father's house; at my Father's work; I must be about my Father's business. Herein is an example; for it becomes the children of God, in conformity to Christ, to attend their heavenly Father's business, and make all other concerns give way to it. Though he was the Son of God, yet he was subject to his earthly parents; how then will the foolish and weak sons of men answer it, who are disobedient to their parents? However we may neglect men's sayings, because they are obscure, yet we must not think so of God's sayings. That which at first is dark, may afterwards become plain and easy. The greatest and wisest, those most eminent, may learn of this admirable and Divine Child, that it is the truest greatness of soul to know our own place and office; to deny ourselves amusements and pleasures not consistent with our state and calling.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

43. Fulfilled the days. The paschal lamb was usually slain late in the afternoon of the 14th of Nisan, and eaten after sunset the same night, on the 15th (see Additional Notes on Matthew 26, Note 1). The 15th also was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which continued through the 21st, the 15th and 21st of Nisan being celebrated as sabbaths regardless of the days of the week on which they might fall (see on Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:6, 7). On the 16th the wave sheaf was presented before the Lord. The ceremonies of the 14th to the 16th day of the feast were considered the most important, and on the 17th those who had come up to Jerusalem to attend the feast were permitted to return home should they choose to do so. One circumstance narrated by Luke (see on v. 46) has led many commentators to think that Mary and Joseph departed at this time. However, the devotion with which they observed the requirements of the ritual law (see on vs. 41, 42) would seem to have led them to remain for the duration of the entire feast rather than only for the minimum time required by the rabbis. See Passion Week and Jesus’ Resurrection to Ascension.

Child. Gr. pais, “a boy” or, “a lad.” In v. 40 the word translated “child” is from paidon, the diminutive form of pais.

Jesus tarried. Christ’s obedient nature, even as a child, gave Joseph and Mary every reason for confidence in Him; His “bright, receptive mind,” marked by “thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years” (DA 68, 69), made His obedience not blind but intelligent. Even as a child, Jesus was ever attentive to, and anticipated the wants of, his parents (DA 80). He always seemed to know what to do, and was faithful in doing it; and on this occasion Mary and Joseph took for granted that He would do as He had done in the past.

Upon this visit to Jerusalem, Jesus for the first time realized that He was in a unique sense the Son of God (see DA 75, 78), and the implications of His earthly mission began to dawn upon His mind. He sincerely longed for a clearer understanding of the nature of His appointed work, and lingered in the Temple, the earthly house of His heavenly Father (see John 2:16), to commune further with Him.

The period of youth is ordained of God to be the time when children learn to think and act for themselves and to accept responsibility for their choices. When younger, they are of necessity largely dependent upon their parents in these matters; but when the period of youth draws to a close they are expected to have assumed the role of maturity. From the very first, parents should seek to develop in their children the ability to choose intelligently and to sense personal responsibility. But as childhood blends imperceptibly into youth it should be the purpose of parents to foster progress in this direction as rapidly as the child is qualified to accept the responsibilities of maturity. Young people should be permitted to make their own choices and to act independently of their parents as fast as they demonstrate the capacity to do so intelligently. There are few sights more pathetic than a youth at the border of maturity still bound to his parents by the limitations of choice and action that are appropriate to childhood. No person is less prepared to assume the responsibilities that accompany maturity. At the same time, youth should be taught to appreciate and consider seriously the counsel and admonition of their parents, and, throughout life, to seek benefit from the wisdom and experience of others (see on v. 51).

Joseph and his mother. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 146) the reading “his parents” (see on v. 41).

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Ellen G. White
Christ's Object Lessons, 282-3

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” 2 Peter 1:2-7. COL 282.1

If you cultivate faithfully the vineyard of your soul, God is making you a laborer together with Himself. And you will have a work to do not only for yourself, but for others. In representing the church as the vineyard, Christ does not teach that we are to restrict our sympathies and labors to our own numbers. The Lord's vineyard is to be enlarged. In all parts of the earth He desires it to be extended. As we receive the instruction and grace of God, we should impart to others a knowledge of how to care for the precious plants. Thus we may extend the vineyard of the Lord. God is watching for evidence of our faith, love, and patience. He looks to see if we are using every spiritual advantage to become skillful workers in His vineyard on earth, that we may enter the Paradise of God, that Eden home from which Adam and Eve were excluded by transgression. COL 282.2

God stands toward His people in the relation of a father, and He has a father's claim to our faithful service. Consider the life of Christ. Standing at the head of humanity, serving His Father, He is an example of what every son should and may be. The obedience that Christ rendered God requires from human beings today. He served His Father with love, in willingness and freedom. “I delight to do Thy will, O My God,” He declared; “yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8. Christ counted no sacrifice too great, no toil too hard, in order to accomplish the work which He came to do. At the age of twelve He said, “Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?” Luke 2:49. He had heard the call, and had taken up the work. “My meat,” He said, “is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 4:34. COL 282.3

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 75-83

This chapter is based on Luke 2:41-51.

Among the Jews the twelfth year was the dividing line between childhood and youth. On completing this year a Hebrew boy was called a son of the law, and also a son of God. He was given special opportunities for religious instruction, and was expected to participate in the sacred feasts and observances. It was in accordance with this custom that Jesus in His boyhood made the Passover visit to Jerusalem. Like all devout Israelites, Joseph and Mary went up every year to attend the Passover; and when Jesus had reached the required age, they took Him with them. DA 75.1

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 89

There were some who sought His society, feeling at peace in His presence; but many avoided Him, because they were rebuked by His stainless life. Young companions urged Him to do as they did. He was bright and cheerful; they enjoyed His presence, and welcomed His ready suggestions; but they were impatient at His scruples, and pronounced Him narrow and strait-laced. Jesus answered, It is written, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.” “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:9, 11. DA 89.1

Often He was asked, Why are you bent on being so singular, so different from us all? It is written, He said, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.” Psalm 119:1-3. DA 89.2

When questioned why He did not join in the frolics of the youth of Nazareth, He said, It is written, “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.” Psalm 119:14-16. DA 89.3

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 109

This chapter is based on Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21, 22.

Tidings of the wilderness prophet and his wonderful announcement, spread throughout Galilee. The message reached the peasants in the remotest hill towns, and the fisher folk by the sea, and in these simple, earnest hearts found its truest response. In Nazareth it was told in the carpenter shop that had been Joseph's, and One recognized the call. His time had come. Turning from His daily toil, He bade farewell to His mother, and followed in the steps of His countrymen who were flocking to the Jordan. DA 109.1

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Luke 2:43