Luke 2:49

King James Version (KJV)

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

How is it … - “Why” have ye sought me with so much anxiety? “Mary” should have known that the Son of God was safe; that his heavenly Father would take care of him, and that he could do nothing amiss.

Wist ye not - “Know ye not.” You had reason to know. You knew my design in coming into the world, and that design was “superior” to the duty of obeying earthly parents, and they should be willing always to give me up to the proper business for which I live.

My Father‘s business - Some think that this should be translated “in my Father‘s house” - that is, in the temple. Jesus reminded them here that he came down from heaven; that he had a higher Father than an earthly parent; and that, even in early life, it was proper that he should be engaged in the work for which he came. He did not enter, indeed, upon his public work for eighteen years after this; yet still the work of God was “his” work, and always, even in childhood, it was proper for him to be engaged in the great business for which he came down from heaven.

Was this helpful?

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.

Was this helpful?

SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

49. How is it? The words of Jesus do not reflect resentment that His parents were concerned about Him, but innocent surprise that they should have experienced difficulty and anxiety in finding Him. Why should they have had so difficult a time finding their Son? Where else in Jerusalem would they expect to find Him but in the Temple? They knew of His interest in and devotion to religious things. And why should they have been “sorrowing” and “anxious” for Him? Had He ever given them occasion for concern? He had simply remained in the Temple when they departed. That was where they had left Him (see DA 78), and where they might expect to find Him again. Furthermore, He had not run off from them; they had left without Him. The blame lay with His parents, and they should not have censured Him. However, Jesus’ awareness of His relationship to His heavenly Father did not lessen His sense of duty toward His earthly parents (see v. 51).

Wist ye not? Did you not know? But “they understood not” (v. 50).

I must be. Literally, “it is necessary for me to be,” or “it behooves me to be.” Was not Jesus ever true to duty? Did He not always deal faithfully with His assigned tasks? As a child, Jesus was already conscious of the destiny that called upon Him to do, not His own will, but the will of His Father in heaven (see Matthew 7:21; 26:39; John 4:34).

My Father’s business. Literally, “in the [things] of my Father,” an expression that could refer either to the “business” of His Father or to the “house” (RSV) of His Father. Mary had just referred to Joseph as the “father” of Jesus (v. 48). Jesus does not deny that relationship directly, but affirms distinctly that God in heaven is His Father. For the first time in His life Jesus understands and proclaims His divine sonship. It is worthy of note that these, the first recorded words of Jesus, affirm His deity. In His own heart was born an understanding of the mystery of His mission to earth (DA 82), but His parents “understood not the saying which he spake unto them” (v. 50).

Before Christ came to this earth the plan for His life “lay out before Him, perfect in all its details” (DA 147). Like the time set for the incarnation (Galatians 4:4; DA 31), “each event in His work had its appointed hour” (DA 451). Nevertheless, when He came to earth He was guided step by step, as He walked among men, by the Father’s will, unfolded to Him day by day (DA 147). For comment on the prayer life of Jesus, the avenue through which divine guidance was made a reality in His life, see on Mark 1:35; 3:13.

Again and again Jesus expressed the thought, “My time is not yet come” (John 7:6, 8); but as the last Passover He said, “My time is at hand” (Matthew 26:18). It is our privilege to live a life daily surrendered to the Father as Christ did, and to be guided in fulfilling our appointed part in His great plan (DA 209; see John 15:10).

Throughout the days of eternity the Lord Jesus was equal with the Father (see on John 1:1-3), but at the time of the incarnation He accepted a role subordinate to the Father (see Additional Note on John 1; see on Luke 1:31, 35; John 1:14). Now at the age of 12 He became aware for the first time of His Sonship to the heavenly Father and of His role as a man among men.

Was this helpful?

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

How is it that ye sought me? - Is not this intended as a gentle reproof? Why had ye me to seek? Ye should not have left my company, when ye knew I am constantly employed in performing the will of the Most High.

My Father's business? - Εν τοις του πατρος μου, My Father's concerns. Some think that these words should be translated, In my Father's house; which was a reason that they should have sought him in the temple only. As if he had said, Where should a child be found, but in his father's house? This translation is defended by Grotius, Pearce, and others; and is the reading of the Syriac, later Persic, and Armenian versions. Our Lord took this opportunity to instruct Joseph and Mary concerning his Divine nature and mission. My Father's concerns. This saying, one would think, could not have been easily misunderstood. It shows at once that he came down from heaven. Joseph had no concerns in the temple; and yet we find they did not fully comprehend it. How slow of heart is man to credit any thing that comes from God!

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
That I May Know Him, 155.3

Jesus was our example in all things, and He was an earnest and constant worker. He commenced His life of usefulness in childhood. At the age of twelve He was “about his Father's business.” Between the ages of twelve and thirty, before entering upon His public ministry, He led a life of active industry. In His ministry Jesus was never idle. Said He, “I must work the works of him that sent me....” The suffering who came to Him were not turned away unrelieved. He was acquainted with each heart and knew how to minister to its needs. Loving words fell from His lips to comfort, encourage, and bless, and the great principles of the kingdom of heaven were set before the multitudes in words so simple as to be understood by all. TMK 155.3

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
That I May Know Him, 28.1

Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? Luke 2:49. TMK 28.1

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
In Heavenly Places, 128.2

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 in love, with 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). HP 128.2

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

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

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

More Comments

Cross References