Luke 2:43
New International Version
After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.

New Living Translation
After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first,

English Standard Version
And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

Berean Standard Bible
When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed.

Berean Literal Bible
and having completed the days, in their returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;

New American Standard Bible
and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it.

NASB 1995
and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,

NASB 1977
and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And His parents were unaware of it,

Legacy Standard Bible
and as they were returning, after finishing the days of the Feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know.

Amplified Bible
and as they were returning [to Nazareth], after spending the required number of days [at the Feast], the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this,

Christian Standard Bible
After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it.

American Standard Version
and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem: and his parents knew it not;

Contemporary English Version
After Passover his parents left, but they did not know that Jesus had stayed on in the city.

English Revised Version
and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the festival was over, they left for home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn't know it.

Good News Translation
When the festival was over, they started back home, but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this;

International Standard Version
When the days of the festival were over, they left for home. The young man Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

Majority Standard Bible
When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but Joseph and His mother were unaware He had stayed.

NET Bible
But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

New Heart English Bible
and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
after staying the full number of days, when they started back home the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not discover this,

World English Bible
and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having finished the days, in their returning the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and His mother did not know,

Berean Literal Bible
and having completed the days, in their returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know.

Young's Literal Translation
and having finished the days, in their returning the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother did not know,

Smith's Literal Translation
And having completed the days, in their returning the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this.

New American Bible
After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

New Revised Standard Version
When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the feast days were over, they returned; but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother did not know it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when the days were past, they were returning, but The Boy Yeshua had remained in Jerusalem and Yoseph and his mother did not know it.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when they had kept the full number of days, and had set out to return, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew it not.

Godbey New Testament
and having completed the days, while they were returning the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And His parents knew it not.

Haweis New Testament
And when they had concluded the days, as they were returning, the child Jesus remained at Jerusalem, and Joseph and his mother knew it not:

Mace New Testament
when that was expired, they returned, but the young Jesus staid behind in Jerusalem, without being miss'd either by Joseph or his Mother.

Weymouth New Testament
after staying the full number of days, when they started back home the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not discover this,

Worrell New Testament
and having completed the days, as they were returning, the Boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and His parents knew it not;

Worsley New Testament
when they returned, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem: and Joseph and his mother did not know it;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
42And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast. 43When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed. 44Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.…

Cross References
Matthew 12:46-50
While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. / Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” / But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” ...

Mark 3:31-35
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. They sent someone in to summon Him, / and a crowd was sitting around Him. “Look,” He was told, “Your mother and brothers are outside, asking for You.” / But Jesus replied, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” ...

John 7:3-5
So Jesus’ brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea, so that Your disciples there may see the works You are doing. / For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.” / For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.

John 2:1-4
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ...

Matthew 13:55-56
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? / Aren’t all His sisters with us as well? Where then did this man get all these things?”

Mark 6:3
Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.

John 19:25-27
Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. / When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” / Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.

Matthew 2:13-15
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Matthew 2:19-23
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. / “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.” / So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel. ...

Exodus 12:26-27
When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ / you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

1 Samuel 1:24-28
Once she had weaned him, Hannah took the boy with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. Though the boy was still young, she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. / And when they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. / “Please, my lord,” said Hannah, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. ...

1 Samuel 2:18-21
Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod. / Each year his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him when she went with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. / And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.” Then they would go home. ...

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

2 Chronicles 30:21-23
And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD…

2 Chronicles 25:17
Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

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And Boy Child Completed Customary End Feast Finished Fulfilled Full Home Jerusalem Jesus Joseph Mother Parents Returning Spending Tarried Time Twelve Unaware
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And Boy Child Completed Customary End Feast Finished Fulfilled Full Home Jerusalem Jesus Joseph Mother Parents Returning Spending Tarried Time Twelve Unaware
Luke 2
1. Augustus taxes all the Roman empire.
6. The nativity of Jesus.
8. An angel relates it to the shepherds, and many sing praises to God for it.
15. The shepherds glorify God.
21. Jesus is circumcised.
22. Mary purified.
25. Simeon and Anna prophesy of Jesus,
39. who increases in wisdom,
41. questions in the temple with the teachers,
51. and is obedient to his parents.














After the feast was over
This phrase refers to the conclusion of the Feast of Passover, a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The Greek word for "feast" here is "ἑορτή" (heortē), which denotes a festival or holy day. Historically, Passover was one of the three pilgrimage feasts where Jews traveled to Jerusalem. This context highlights the devoutness of Jesus' family, adhering to Jewish law and tradition. The phrase sets the stage for the unfolding events, emphasizing the importance of religious observance in Jesus' upbringing.

while His parents were returning home
The phrase indicates the journey back to Nazareth, undertaken by Mary and Joseph. The Greek word for "returning" is "ὑποστρέφω" (hypostrephō), meaning to turn back or return. This journey was a common practice for Jewish families after the feast, reflecting the rhythm of life centered around religious observance. The mention of "His parents" underscores the familial context and the human aspect of Jesus' life, emphasizing His upbringing in a devout Jewish household.

the boy Jesus
This phrase highlights Jesus at the age of twelve, on the cusp of Jewish manhood, which traditionally begins at thirteen with the Bar Mitzvah. The Greek word for "boy" is "παῖς" (pais), indicating a young person or child. This stage in Jesus' life is significant as it marks a period of transition and growth. The use of "boy" emphasizes His humanity and the normalcy of His development, while also foreshadowing His divine wisdom and mission.

stayed behind in Jerusalem
The phrase suggests a deliberate action by Jesus, choosing to remain in the holy city. The Greek word "ὑπομένω" (hypomenō) implies staying or remaining behind. Jerusalem, being the spiritual center of Judaism, is significant as the place where Jesus begins to reveal His understanding of His divine mission. This action foreshadows His future ministry and the centrality of Jerusalem in His life and work.

but they were unaware of it
This phrase indicates that Mary and Joseph did not realize Jesus was not with them. The Greek word "οὐκ" (ouk) means "not," and "γινώσκω" (ginōskō) means "to know" or "to perceive." This lack of awareness highlights the human limitations of Jesus' earthly parents and sets the stage for the unfolding narrative. It also underscores the beginning of Jesus' independent identity and mission, separate from His earthly family.

(43) The child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem.--The words do not imply that He intentionally stayed behind. If we deal with the history on its human side, the probable course of things was this:--The Passover Feast lasted seven days; on each of those days, after the first, we may well believe the "child Jesus" was seeking wisdom to do His Father's work at the hands of the appointed teachers who "sat in Moses' chair." This had become habitual. He went, as usual, when the Feast was over; but Joseph and Mary, instead of seeking Him there, took for granted that He had started with the other boys of the same age who had come from Nazareth. He was therefore left in the strange city by Himself, finding shelter for the night, probably, in the house where Joseph and Mary had lodged during the feast, and spending the day, as before, in drinking in the wondrous things of God's Law, and asking questions which showed that He demanded more than traditional or conventional explanations. His question, "Wist ye not . . .?" implies that they ought to have known where He would be.

Joseph and his mother knew not of it.--The better MSS. read, his parents, the alteration having probably been made in the received text on the same ground as that in Luke 2:33.

Verse 43. - And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the Child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. The feast lasted seven days. Now, a boy in the East, twelve years old, is usually far more advanced than is ever the case in our Northern nations, where development is much slower. We may well suppose that the Boy was left much to himself during these days of the feast. It requires no stress of imagination to picture him absorbed in the temple and all that was to be seen and learned there. It was, doubtless, his first visit since infancy to the glorious house. Slowly, surely, had he been growing up into the consciousness of what he was and whence he came: may we not in all reverence assume that his self-recognition first really burst forth from the depths of his childhood's unconsciousness in that solemn week spent in the storied temple courts? When Joseph and Mary and their friends, as was usual after the seven days, commenced their return journey, the Boy, instead of joining this homeward-bound company of pilgrims, went as usual to the temple and the great teachers there, wholly absorbed in the new light which was breaking in upon him. There they found him. Strange that they should have for so long searched in other places. Had they only called to mind the sacred secret of the Child, surely they would have gone at once to the temple; was it not, after all, his earthly home, that holy house of his Father in Jerusalem?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[When]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

those
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

days
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

were over
τελειωσάντων (teleiōsantōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5048: From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate.

[and]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

they
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

were returning [home],
ὑποστρέφειν (hypostrephein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5290: To turn back, return. From hupo and strepho; to turn under, i.e. To return.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

boy
παῖς (pais)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3816: Perhaps from paio; a boy, or, a girl, and a child; specially, a slave or servant.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

remained behind
ὑπέμεινεν (hypemeinen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5278: From hupo and meno; to stay under, i.e. Remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. Bear, have fortitude, persevere.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Jerusalem,
Ἰερουσαλήμ (Ierousalēm)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2419: Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

parents
γονεῖς (goneis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1118: A begetter, father; plur: parents. From the base of ginomai; a parent.

were unaware [He had stayed].
ἔγνωσαν (egnōsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.


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NT Gospels: Luke 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 2:42
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