Chapter 2:41-52 Visit to Jerusalem

2:41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

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.

2:42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

And when He was twelve years old - Not that he was now, , "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.

2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it.

The child Jesus - Luke describes in order Jesus the fruit of the womb, an infant, a little child, a child here, and afterward a man. 

So our Lord passed through and sanctified every stage of human life. Old age only did not become Him.

and Joseph, and His mother, knew not of it; of His intention to tarry longer, nor of his design in so doing: He did not ask leave of them, since His stay was about an affair of His heavenly Father's; and therefore this action of Christ is not to be drawn into an example, or precedent for children, to act without consulting, or asking leave of their parents.

2:44 But they, supposing Him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

Supposing Him to have been in the company - As the men and women usually travelled in distinct companies.

2:45 And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

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.

2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

After three days - The first day was spent in their journey, the second, in their return to Jerusalem: and the third, in searching for Him there: they found Him in the temple; His Father's house, the house of God.
Sitting in the midst of the doctors - The rabbins, who were explaining the law and the ceremonies of the Jewish religion to their disciples.
Asking them questions - Not as a scholar asks his teacher, to be informed; but as a teacher, who proposes questions to his scholars in order to take an occasion to instruct them.

2:47 And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

And all that heard Him were astonished - All in the sanhedrim, both the doctors, and their disciples, were amazed,
at His understanding; in the knowledge of the law, and of the Scriptures.

2:48 And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said unto Him, Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.

And when they saw Him they were amazed - That is, when Joseph and Mary saw Him amidst the doctors, they were astonished that He was admitted among them, and had in such esteem by them:
Why hast Thou thus dealt with us? - It certainly was not His fault, but theirs. Men are very apt to lay on others the blame of their own misconduct.

2:49 And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?

Why sought ye Me? - He does not blame them for losing, but for thinking it needful to seek Him: and intimates, that He could not be lost, nor found any where, but doing the will of a higher parent.

wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? - The business that Christ came about was to preach the Gospel.

2:50 And they understood not the saying which He spake unto them.

And they understood not the saying - What He meant by His Father's house, or his Father's business, and the necessity of his being there, and about that: which He spake unto them; at that time, and as above related. 

*It is observable that Joseph is not mentioned after this time; whence it is probable, he did not live long after.

2:51 And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Was subject unto them - Behaved towards them with all dutiful submission. but His mother kept all these sayings, or things; in her heart; that is, in her memory.

2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. 

Jesus increased in wisdom - As to His human nature, and in favor with God - In proportion to that increase.