Luke 2:43

“And when they had fulfilled the days, etc.] The seven days of the fear of unleavened bread, for so many days that feast was observed; and though it was not absolutely necessary, and obligatory upon them to stay all that time at Jerusalem, yet Mary and Joseph seem so to have done, as did the more religious and devout persons: as they returned; at the time when they were going from Jerusalem home again: the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; being desirous of hearing the discourses of the doctors about the sense of the Scriptures, the meaning of the laws, and the traditions of the elders, and of conversing with them: and Joseph, and his mother, knew not of it; of his intention to tarry…”

“as they returned--If the duties of life must give place to worship, worship, in its turn, must give place to them. Jerusalem is good, but Nazareth is good, too; let him who neglects the one, on pretext of attending to the other, ponder this scene. tarried behind . . . Joseph and his mother knew not--Accustomed to the discretion and obedience of the lad [OLSHAUSEN], they might be thrown off their guard.”

“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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The child Jesus - St. Luke describes in order Jesus the fruit of the womb, Luk 1:42; an infant, Luk 2:12; a little child, Luk 2:40; a child here, and afterward a man. So our Lord passed through and sanctified every stage of human life. Old age only did not become him. Luke 2:44”

“Ch2 30:21-23, Ch2 25:17 Luke 2:44”