Luke 2:40-52

⁴⁰The child grew and became strong, increasing in wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

⁴¹His parents went every year to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.

⁴²When he was twelve years old, they again went up at the customary time for the feast.

⁴³After they had stayed the full number of days for the feast, they began to return home. But the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know it.

⁴⁴They assumed that he was with the group that was traveling with them, so they traveled a day's journey. Then they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

⁴⁵When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem and started looking for him there.

⁴⁶It came about that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

⁴⁷All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

⁴⁸When they saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Listen, your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

⁴⁹He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I had to be about my Father's business?

⁵⁰But they did not understand what he meant by those words.

⁵¹Then he went back home with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

⁵²But Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature, and increased in favor with God and people.