43
after staying the full number of days, when they started back home the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not discover this,
44
but supposing Him to be in the travelling company, they proceeded a day's journey. Then they searched up and down for Him among their relatives and acquaintances;
45
but being unable to find Him they returned to Jerusalem, making anxious inquiry for Him.
46
On the third day they found Him in the Temple sitting among the Rabbis, both listening to them and asking them questions,
47
while all who heard Him were astonished at His intelligence and at the answers He gave.
48
When they saw Him, they were smitten with amazement, and His mother said to Him, "My child, why have you behaved thus to us? Your father and I have been searching for you in anguish."
49
"Why is it that you have been searching for me?" He replied; "did you not know that it is my duty to be engaged upon my Father's business?"
50
But they did not understand the significance of these words.
51
Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was always obedient to them; but His mother carefully treasured up all these incidents in her memory.
52
And as Jesus grew older He gained in both wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.