Luke 2:45

45 They did not find him, so they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.

Luke 2:45 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 2:45

And when they found him not
In the company that came from Jerusalem with them, nor among any of their relations and friends, with whom they supposed he was:

they turned back again to Jerusalem,
that is, the next morning, for it can hardly be thought they would set out that night, after they had travelled all day, without taking some repose:

seeking him;
at Jerusalem, in the streets and broad places of it; a figure of the church and ordinances, where souls look for, and inquire after their beloved, when they have lost him, ( Song of Solomon 3:1-3 ) .

Luke 2:45 In-Context

43 When the festival was over, they started back home, but the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know this;
44 they thought that he was with the group, so they traveled a whole day and then started looking for him among their relatives and friends.
45 They did not find him, so they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.
46 On the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting with the Jewish teachers, listening to them and asking questions.
47 All who heard him were amazed at his intelligent answers.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.