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

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.

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.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

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.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

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.

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?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

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.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

1 Gr. becoming full of wisdom. Or, teachers. 3 Gr. Child. of my Father. 5 Or, things.

41

questioneth and answereth the doctors.

1 filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents 44 knew it not; but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their 45 kinsfolk and acquaintance; and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the 47 them questions: and all that heard him 2 doctors, both hearing them, and asking

46

were amazed at his understanding and his 48 answers. And when they saw him, they were astonished: and his mother said unto him, 3 Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought 49 thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be in my Father's house? 50 And they understood not the saying which 51 he spake unto them. And he went down

40. Filled with wisdom. Margin, "becoming full of wisdom." A progress is indicated. The words "in spirit" of the Old Version are omitted. If received, they would refer to his spiritual nature as distinct from the corporeal; and that is denoted by the phrase, “becoming filled with wisdom." The grace of God was upon him. Special favor from God prepared him for his special work.

42. Twelve years old. The Passover occurred near the spring equinox. All males were required to attend the three great festivals at Jerusalem. The women were accustomed to go only to the Passover. At twelve years of age the males began attendance.

43. Fulfilled the days of the feast, seven days. His parents. According to appearance and general supposition. Some uncials and versions read, "Joseph and his mother," which seems to be an alteration, lest the phrase should be misunderstood. But in verse 41 it had already occurred.

46. Doctors. Teachers. Jesus was not trying to pose the teachers, but was actually learning from them by question and answer.

48. Thy father. A necessary style of speech under the circumstances.

49. In my Father's house. Rather, with the Old Version, "in (or about) my Father's business." His Father was he whom he obeyed by staying at Jerusalem, not the one to whom he had caused sorrow (verse 48). 31. Subject unto them. Notwithstanding the grace that had been vouchsafed him.

52. Jesus' growth in body and mind shows his thorough human life.

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The preaching and

ST. LUKE, III.

baptism of John.

CHAPTER III.

1. The preaching and baptism of John: 15. his testimony of Christ. 20. Herod imprisoneth John. 21. Christ baptized, receiveth testimony from heaven. 23. The age, and genealogy of Christ from Joseph upwards.

1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituræa and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that

hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

1

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituræa and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of 2 Abilene, in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilder3 ness. And he came into all the region round about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins; 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

The voice of one crying in the wilder

7

He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee 8 from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of 1 repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And even now is the axe also laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn 10 down, and cast into the fire. And the 11 must we do? And he answered and said multitudes asked him, saying, What then unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise. 12 And there came also 2 publicans to be bap

1 Or, your repentance. 2 See marginal note on Matt., verse 46.

1. Tiberius Cæsar was the second emperor of Rome. He began to reign A.D. 14, and died A.D. 37, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. His original name was Tiberius Claudius Nero; but, when his mother Livia married Augustus, he became an adopted son of that emperor, with the name of Cæsar. He was great-grand-unele of the infamous Emperor Nero, and almost equalled that later monarch in cruelty and excess. Pontius Pilate. See on Matt. 272. He was really "procurator" of Judæa. Herod Antipas, the tetrarch. See on Matt. 14:1. Philip. See on Matt. 14:1. Ituræa and Trachonitis lay contiguous to one another, north-east of Palestine, on the eastern side of Hermon, and south of Damascus. Lysanias was a tributary sovereign, like the Herods, under Rome. Abilene was a district east of the range of Antilibanus, and bordering, at the south, on Galilee and Ituræa.

2. Annas and Caiaphas. See on Matt. 26:3. The wilderness. See Matt. 3:1.

3. All the region round about Jordan. John probably moved up and down the whole Jordan valley, from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee. Baptism of repentance unto remission of sins. The repentance (not the baptism) led to the remission of sins. See on Matt. 3: 1.

4. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet. Isa. 40:3-5.

7. Ye offspring of vipers. Addressed to the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt. 3:7), the common people doubtless hearing John (as they heard Jesus, Mark 12:37) gladly. But the presence of the haughty Pharisees and Sadducees caused surprise.

8. Abraham to our father; i.e., Abraham as our father.

11. These are concrete forms of expressing great principles. Universal love and helpfulness are inculcated. 12. Publicans. See on Matt. 5: 46.