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Luke 2:44

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 2:44 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day`s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day`s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance:
Luke 2:44 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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;
44but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day`s journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance:
45and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him.
46And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions:
47and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
← Luke 2:43Luke 2:45 →
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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
“But they supposing him to have been in the company, etc.] That travelled together into the same parts, having been, as they, at Jerusalem to keep the feast: went a day's journey; either before they missed him; or if they missed him sooner, yet they went on inquiring for him in the company, until they were come a day's journey before they thought, or, at least, determined on going back to Jerusalem. The bounds of a day's journey from Jerusalem are said to be f141 Elath on the south, and Akrabba on the north; elsewhere f142 it is, Elathon the north, and Akrabbaon the south, Lud, or Lydda, on the west, and Jordan on the east; wherefore, as Galilee lay north of Jerusalem, the bound of this day's…”
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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
“sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances--On these sacred journeys, whole villages and districts travelled in groups together, partly for protection, partly for company; and as the well-disposed would beguile the tediousness of the way by good discourse, to which the child Jesus would be no silent listener, they expect to find Him in such a group.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Supposing him to have been in the company - It may seem very remarkable that parents should not have been more attentive to their only son, and that they should not have been assured of his presence with them when they left Jerusalem; but the difficulty may be explained by the following considerations: In going to these great feasts, families and neighbors would join together, and form a large collection. It is not improbable that Jesus was “with” them when they were about to start from Jerusalem and were making preparations. Seeing him then, they might have been certain as to his presence. A part of the company might have left before the others, and Joseph and Mary may have supposed that he…”
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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
“Supposing him to have been in the company - As the men and women usually travelled in distinct companies. Luke 2:46”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:44 they assumed he was among the other travelers: Joseph and Mary were probably traveling with a large caravan of relatives and friends from Galilee. Jesus probably spent a lot of time with his friends and relatives, so his parents were not worried at first.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in: Psa 42:4, Psa 122:1-4; Isa 2:3 Luke 2:46”
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