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Luke 2:40

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 2:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:40 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.
38And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39And when they had accomplished all things that were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
42And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast;
43and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not;
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the child grew, etc.] In body, in strength, and in stature; which shows that it was a true body Christ assumed, and like ours, which did not come to its maturity at once, but by degrees: and waxed strong in spirit, or in his soul; for as he had a true body, he had also a reasonable soul; the faculties of which were far from being weak, they were exceeding strong, and appeared stronger and stronger every day; his understanding was clear, his judgment solid, and his memory strong and retentive, his will, and the desires of it, were to that which is good, and his affections cleaved unto it. The Persic and Ethiopic versions read, “was strengthened in”, or “by the Holy Spirit”; with the grace…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“His mental development kept pace with His bodily, and "the grace of God," the divine favor, rested manifestly and increasingly upon Him. See Luk 2:52.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Strong in spirit - In mind, intellect, understanding. Jesus had a human soul, and that soul was subject to all the proper laws of a human spirit. It therefore increased in knowledge, strength, and character. Nor is it any more inconsistent with his being God to say that his soul expanded, than to say that his body grew. Filled with wisdom - Eminent for wisdom when a child - that is, exhibiting an extraordinary understanding, and “wise” to flee from everything sinful and evil. And the grace of God ... - The word “grace” in the New Testament commonly means unmerited favor shown “to sinners.” Here it means no more than favor. God showed him favor, or was pleased with him and blessed him. It is…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the child grew - In bodily strength and stature; and waxed strong in spirit - The powers of his human mind daily improved; filled with wisdom - By the light of the indwelling Spirit, which gradually opened itself in his soul; and the grace of God was upon him - That is, the peculiar favour of God rested upon him, even as man. Luke 2:43”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:40 filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him (cp. 1:80; 2:52): The twin statements about Jesus’ wisdom (2:40, 52) frame the story about Jesus’ extraordinary wisdom at an early age.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the child: Luk 2:52; Jdg 13:24; Sa1 2:18, Sa1 2:26, Sa1 3:19; Psa 22:9; Isa 53:1, Isa 53:2 strong: Luk 1:80; Eph 6:10; Ti2 2:1 filled: Luk 2:47, Luk 2:52; Isa 11:1-5; Col 2:2, Col 2:3 the grace: Psa 45:2; Joh 1:14; Act 4:33 Luke 2:41”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification