SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:42
Y cuando fue de doce aos, subieron ellos a Jerusaln conforme a la costumbre de la Fiesta.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 42. And when he was twelve years old , etc.] Not that he was now, hwxm rb , a son of the commandment, to use the Jewish phrase; or now came under the yoke of the law; or was obliged to the duties of adult church membership, as is asserted by some; nor particularly to go to Jerusalem to make his appearance at the feast of the passover, or any other feast: for according to the maxims of the Jews, persons were not obliged to the duties of the law, or subject to the penalties of it in case of nonperformance, until they were, a female, at the age of twelve years, and one day, and a male, at the age of thirteen years, and one day; but then they used to train up their children, and inure them to religious exercises before: as for instance, though they were not obliged to fast on the day of atonement, until they were at the age before mentioned; yet, they used them to it two or three year's before, as they were able to endure it: a son of nine, or ten years old, they train him up by hours; they make him fast so many hours; and one of eleven, or twelve years old, they make him fast a whole day: but then this was not law, but custom; and which they observed, that they might be used to the commandments f138 , and be expert in them, and ready to perform them when required. It is said, that there was a good custom in Jerusalem to make their little sons and daughters fast on a fast day; the son of a year, till the very day he is twelve years old, when he fasts the whole day; and after that they carry him, and bring him before every ancient man, that he may bless him, and confirm him, and pray over him, that he may be worthy in the law, and in good works; and: every one that is greater than he in the city, he stands up from his place, and goes before him, and bows to him, to pray for him: and this is to learn him, that they are beautiful, and their works beautiful and acceptable to God; and they did not use to leave their little children behind them, but brought them to the synagogues, twxmb zrzl ydk , that they might be ready in the commandments. That they might be inured to them, and expert in them, when they were under obligation to them; for they were not properly under the law, until they were arrived to the age above mentioned; nor were they reckoned adult church members till then, nor then neither, unless worthy persons: for so it is said f140 , he that is worthy, at thirteen years of age, is called ykl b , a son of the congregation of Israel; that is, a member of the church. When therefore Joseph and Mary took Jesus along with them, at this age, when they went up to Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast of the passover, it shows their religious regard to him; and may be an instruction to parents, to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, after their example.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 41-52 - It is for the honour of Christ that children should attend on publi worship. His parents did not return till they had stayed all the seve days of the feast. It is well to stay to the end of an ordinance, a becomes those who say, It is good to be here. Those that have los their comforts in Christ, and the evidences of their having a part in him, must bethink themselves where, and when, and how they lost them and must turn back again. Those that would recover their los acquaintance with Christ, must go to the place in which he has put his name; there they may hope to meet him. They found him in some part of the temple, where the doctors of the law kept their schools; he wa sitting there, hearkening to their instructions, proposing questions and answering inquiries, with such wisdom, that those who heard wer delighted with him. Young persons should seek the knowledge of Divin truth, attend the ministry of the gospel, and ask such questions of their elders and teachers as may tend to increase their knowledge Those who seek Christ in sorrow, shall find him with the greater joy Know ye not that I ought to be in my Father's house; at my Father' work; I must be about my Father's business. Herein is an example; for it becomes the children of God, in conformity to Christ, to atten their heavenly Father's business, and make all other concerns give wa to it. Though he was the Son of God, yet he was subject to his earthl parents; how then will the foolish and weak sons of men answer it, wh are disobedient to their parents? However we may neglect men's sayings because they are obscure, yet we must not think so of God's sayings That which at first is dark, may afterwards become plain and easy. The greatest and wisest, those most eminent, may learn of this admirabl and Divine Child, that it is the truest greatness of soul to know ou own place and office; to deny ourselves amusements and pleasures no consistent with our state and calling __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ οτε 3753 ADV εγενετο 1096 5633 V-2ADI-3S ετων 2094 N-GPN δωδεκα 1427 A-NUI αναβαντων 305 5631 V-2AAP-GPM αυτων 846 P-GPM εις 1519 PREP ιεροσολυμα 2414 N-ASF κατα 2596 PREP το 3588 T-ASN εθος 1485 N-ASN της 3588 T-GSF εορτης 1859 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
42. Twelve years old. At which age he was known as a son of the law, and came under obligation to observe the ordinances personally.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:42 {Twelve years old} (etwn dwdeka). Predicate genitive. Luke does not say that Jesus had not been to Jerusalem before, but at twelve a Jewish boy became a "son of the law" and began to observe the ordinances, putting on the phylacteries as a reminder. {They went up} (anabainontwn autwn). Genitive absolute with present active participle, a loose construction here, for the incident narrated took place _after_ they had gone up, not _while_ they were gong up. "On their usual going up" (Plummer).
