Please help me clarify this scripture

[distracted]

Mary seems surprised when Jesus, after being found in the Temple, says he must be about hsi Father’s work…

why was she surprised? Didn’t she know that he was the messiah?? I thought she knew that when the angel announced her pregnancy?

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Mary seems surprised when Jesus, after being found in the Temple, says he must be about hsi Father’s work…

why was she surprised? Didn’t she know that he was the messiah?? I thought she knew that when the angel announced her pregnancy?

Well, he was just a child then about 12 years old. I think Mary knew he was special, but he was still her little boy. That’s the beauty of Mary and Jesus. They were fully human, they lived fully human lives, and yet they were divine also.

 

[tobinatorstark]

From the Haydock Bible Commentary

Ver. 41. How can we account for what is related in this verse, that his parents went up every year to Jerusalem, during the childhood of Jesus, when, as we are taught in other parts, his parents did not dare to fix their abode in Jerusalem, for fear of Archelaus: but this, says St. Augustine, will not be very difficult to answer; for, it might be easier for them to ascend up to Jerusalem on these particular occasions, without being noticed in so numerous a crowd, and privately return; though it might not be prudent for them to fix their habitation there, lest they might be too much noticed: and, as no one has yet informed us how long Archelaus continued to reign, what St. Luke relates might have taken place after the death of that prince. (St. Augustine)

Ver. 44. It may be asked how the blessed Virgin and St. Joseph could possibly have come so far without missing him; but we must take notice, that when the people went up to the temple from remote parts of Judea, the men went in one company, and the women in a separate company, whilst the children went in either company indifferently: so that St. Joseph imagined that he was with Mary, his mother, whilst she imagined he was with St. Joseph. (Nicholas of Lyra)

Ver. 49. I must be about the things that are my Father’s? By these words he shewed, that not St. Joseph, but only God, was his father. (Witham)

Ver. 50. They understood not, &c. That is, knew not when, or by what means, Christ designed to make himself known to the world. (Witham)

Ver. 51. Was subject to them. Astonishing humility! which the Son of God was pleased to teach by his example, as also obedience to parents. (Witham) — The evangelist relates nothing of our Saviour from the age of twelve till the age of thirty, except that he was subject to St. Joseph and the blessed Virgin. The divine Spirit shewing by this, that nothing is so great and amiable in Christians, as ready obedience to the directions of their superiors. (Barradius) — All children are hereby taught what subjection and obedience is due from them to their parents.

Ver. 52. Not that he was wiser at any future period of his life, than he was at the moment of his conception, but this is said, because he chose to manifest increasing signs of wisdom as he increased in years. — In the same manner also he increased in grace, by displaying, as he advanced in age, the gifts of grace with which he was endowed; and by this excited men to the praise of God, from the consideration of favours God had bestowed upon him; and thus he conduced to the honour of God, and the salvation of men. (St. Gregory) — The sun, always equally brilliant in itself, is said to increase in splendour, till it has reached its meridian brilliancy

 

[distracted]

…Ver. 52. Not that he was wiser at any future period of his life, than he was at the moment of his conception, but this is said, because he chose to manifest increasing signs of wisdom as he increased in years. — In the same manner also he increased in grace, by displaying, as he advanced in age, the gifts of grace with which he was endowed; and by this excited men to the praise of God, from the consideration of favours God had bestowed upon him; and thus he conduced to the honour of God, and the salvation of men. (St. Gregory) — The sun, always equally brilliant in itself, is said to increase in splendour, till it has reached its meridian brilliancy

this is all interesting… but ummm…

it doesn’t seem to answer my question…

 

[distracted]

Well, he was just a child then about 12 years old. I think Mary knew he was special, but he was still her little boy. That’s the beauty of Mary and Jesus. They were fully human, they lived fully human lives, and yet they were divine also.

but the angel told her she would bear the Christ child… the savior of the world…

 

[CHRISTINE77]

but the angel told her she would bear the Christ child… the savior of the world…

Sure but that wouldn’t stop her from being worried when she couldn’t find him. She would have the same emotions as any other woman if her child was lost. She found him in the Temple, and he explained why he was there. But until then, how would she know where he was and not be worried?

 

[Nita]

but the angel told her she would bear the Christ child… the savior of the world…

Luke 2:49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 2:50 **And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. **

Is your question more about why they “did not understand the saying…”?

IMO, the lack of understanding was not about who He was (who His Father was). Rather, I think, they didn’t understand how His reply answered their question “Son, why have you done this to us?”

Also, Joseph and Mary probably did not understand why He needed to be in the temple at 12 years of age - especially without first informing them and/or seeking their permission. There’s no Scripture passage that clearly prophecies such an event, so without Jesus, the Father, or the Holy Spirit informing them of the need for Him to be in the temple, they would have been expecting it to happen.

 

[distracted]

Sure but that wouldn’t stop her from being worried when she couldn’t find him. She would have the same emotions as any other woman if her child was lost. She found him in the Temple, and he explained why he was there. But until then, how would she know where he was and not be worried?

i wasn;'t focused on her being worried… i was focused on the fact that she was surprised and didn’t understand him saying he had to be about his fathe’s business…

 

[CHRISTINE77]

i wasn;'t focused on her being worried… i was focused on the fact that she was surprised and didn’t understand him saying he had to be about his fathe’s business…

Well it’s the 5th Joyful Mystery in the rosary.

Fifth Joyful Mystery - Finding Jesus in the Temple
I desire Zeal For The Glory Of God

Think of…
The deep sorrow with which Mary sought the Child Jesus for three days, and the joy with which she found Him in the midst of the Teachers of the Temple.
Luke 2:41

 

[Nita]

…
Also, Joseph and Mary probably did not understand why He needed to be in the temple at 12 years of age - especially without first informing them and/or seeking their permission. There’s no Scripture passage that clearly prophecies such an event, so without Jesus, the Father, or the Holy Spirit informing them of the need for Him to be in the temple, they would have been expecting it to happen.
​

Just noticed I left out the word “not” – meant to say “they would NOT have been expecting it…”

**Luke 2:49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” **

I wonder what part of Our Lord’s words caused the difficulty in understanding.
Was it the first part:
“How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know…”
(Did they not understand why Jesus thought they should “know”?)

Or the second part:
“I must be in my Father’s house?”
(Not understanding why He needed to be in the temple on His own, speaking to the leaders, at such a young age; etc.)

Or was it both?

Interesting to ponder, but I doubt we’ll have any definite answers till heaven.

Nita​

 

[JRKH]

Mary seems surprised when Jesus, after being found in the Temple, says he must be about hsi Father’s work…

why was she surprised? Didn’t she know that he was the messiah?? I thought she knew that when the angel announced her pregnancy?

It is difficult for us, with so little information about Jesus childhood years to come to grips with some of these things but this is actually a very telling verse in my opinion.

The Savior was born an infant. A human infant. In this sense he was no different thean anyone else except for original sin. As an infant He could not walk or talk or feed Himself. He was completely dependent upon His parents.
This not to say Jesus did not have the “Soul of God”, as it were, only that in His human apects he needed to be raised and taken care of just as any other Child would have been. Those Godly aspects of His dual nature needed to wait and become manifest only in so far as His Human aspects matured.

As to their surprise at His statement, I would suggest it might have been nothing more than seeing that “their boy” was growing up. The wisdom that He was displaying and His Godly Gifts were beiginning to make themselves known. Certainly this would surprise any parent, even if they know it’s coming.

Just my opinion

Peace
James

 

[distracted]

thanks for the responses, even though i don’t have an answer…

i was given things to think about…

nice to know i am not the only one who doesn’t get this… I mean, Mary knew she was carrying the Messiah… so why did it surprise her when Jesus said he had to be in the Temple doing God’s work?

hmmm…

i guess i dont NEED to know the answer…

 

[CB_Catholic]

thanks for the responses, even though i don’t have an answer…

i was given things to think about…

nice to know i am not the only one who doesn’t get this… I mean, Mary knew she was carrying the Messiah… so why did it surprise her when Jesus said he had to be in the Temple doing God’s work?

hmmm…

i guess i dont NEED to know the answer…

Mary may have known she was carrying the Messiah, as revealed to her by God through the angel Gabriel, but she was not omniscient, and therefore probably did not realize all the ramifications of that revelation. Remember it was Simeon who revealed to her that a sword would pierce her soul when they brought Him to the Temple, something she apparently did not know until he prophesied it. Mary, like human beings everywhere, had to grow in her understanding of things, by pondering all these things in her heart. No where is it implied in Scripture that Mary knew everything about what was going to happen and how it was going to happen concerning Her Son.

 

[Crimson_Seraph]

Well, he was just a child then about 12 years old. I think Mary knew he was special, but he was still her little boy. That’s the beauty of Mary and Jesus. They were fully human, they lived fully human lives, and yet they were divine also.

Woah, stop, wait. Mary was not Divine…only God is Divine.

Did no one else catch that?

 

[jcrichton]

thanks for the responses, even though i don’t have an answer…

i was given things to think about…

nice to know i am not the only one who doesn’t get this… I mean, Mary knew she was carrying the Messiah… so why did it surprise her when Jesus said he had to be in the Temple doing God’s work?

hmmm…

i guess i dont NEED to know the answer…

I think that we have to take into consideration the perspective of true parents… they do not think of their children as others do… they are always seen as “my child” even when they have grown up, left the home, and built their own home and had children of their own…

When Jesus was twelve years old, Mary and Joseph understood in their minds who Jesus was, but their human nature was not necessarily prepared to let Him go. Conversely, in the passage found in St. Luke 1:40-44 we find that Mary receives confirmation of Jesus’ Divinity and that both an infant in the womb and his Mom profess that Jesus is Lord–this is made possible by the revelation of the Holy Spirit; at this time, which happens to be years earlier, Mary has no problem with Jesus’ Divinity!

We must also understand that there was no time schedule given to Mary and Joseph and that the Holy Spirit’s revelations are made known according to a Divine Design (check the wedding at Cana: St. John 2:1-11).

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Quote:
Originally Posted by CHRISTINE77
Well, he was just a child then about 12 years old. I think Mary knew he was special, but he was still her little boy. That’s the beauty of Mary and Jesus. They were fully human, they lived fully human lives, and yet they were divine also.

You are correct, only God is Divine!

I may have read through too quickly; I know I picked up something that did not feel right… glad you caught it!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

That’s the beauty of Mary and Jesus. They were fully human, they lived fully human lives, and yet they were divine also.

Hi, Christine!

I’m not sure if you intended to mean that they lived fully human lives in the Grace of God… you understand that though Jesus was fully human and fully Divine, the Virgin Mary was only human, right?

Maran atha!

Angel