Luke 2:41

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.

Luke 2:41 in Other Translations

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.

41 Every year Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover.

41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.

41 Every year Jesus' parents would go to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.

41 Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

41 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.

Luke 2:41 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 2:41

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year
Joseph was obliged to go three times a year, as were all the males in Israel, at the feasts of the passover, pentecost, and tabernacles, ( Deuteronomy 16:16 ) . The first of these is expressed here, at the feast of the passover; but the women were not obliged to go up: for so it is said by the Jews ^F16, (twvr Myvn lv Nxop) , "the passover of women is voluntary", or in their own power; they might go up to the feast, or not, as they pleased. It is indeed said of Hillell, who was now alive, that he obliged the women to the first, but not to a second passover: to which the Karaites object; the account they give is as follows ^F17;

``truly the women were obliged, by the school of Hillell, to the offering of the passover; but if they were hindered from the first passover, the second was in their power; that is, the thing depended upon their will and pleasure, whether they would offer or not, which may be justly wondered at; for why should they be obliged to the, first, and not the second? for behold, as to the obligation of the passover, there is no difference between the first passover, and the second, The sum of the matter is, our wise men, on whom be peace, have determined and say, that there is no obligation but to males, who are arrived to maturity.''

So that this was a voluntary thing in Mary; which discovers her piety and religion, and her great regard to the ordinances and appointments of God.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 T. Hieros. Kiddushin, fol. 61. 3.
F17 Eliahu Adderet, p. 39. apud Trigland. de Sect. Karaeorum, p. 28.

Luke 2:41 In-Context

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.

42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.

43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:1-8; Luke 22:8