Chapter XV: Part IV: The Birth and Childhood of the Baptist and of Jesus

Probably B.C. 7 to A.D. 7

_Sects. 4-19. These sections include the annunciations, the birth, infancy, and childhood of both John and Jesus._

Sect. 4. THE ANNUNCIATION[a] OF THE BIRTH OF THE BAPTIST TO ZACHARIAS

Jerusalem, in the Temple. Probably B.C. 7

Luke 1:5-25[b]

5 There was in the days of Herod, king of Judea, a certain priest
named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the
6 daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both
righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and
7 ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because
that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were _now_ [1]well
stricken in years.
8 Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's office before
9 God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the
priest's office, his lot was to enter into the [2]temple of the
10 Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were
11 praying without at the hour of incense. And there appeared unto
him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar
12 of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw _him_, and fear
13 fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias:
because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall
14 bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt
15 have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he
shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no
wine nor [3]strong drink [_see Num. 6:3; Judg. 13:4-6; 1 Sam.
1:11_]; and he shall be filled with the [4]Holy Ghost, even from
16 his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he
17 turn unto the Lord their God. And he shall [5]go before his face
in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the
fathers to the children [_see Mal. 3:1; 4:5-6_], and the
disobedient _to walk_ in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for
18 the Lord a people prepared _for him_. And Zacharias said unto the
angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife
19 [6]well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him,
I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God [_see Dan. 8:16;
9:21_]; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these
20 good tidings. And behold, thou shalt be silent and not able to
speak, until the day that these things shall come to pass, because
thou believedst not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their
21 season. And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they
22 marvelled [7]while he tarried in the [2]temple. And when he came
out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had
seen a vision in the [2]temple: and he continued making signs unto
23 them, and remained dumb. And it came to pass, when the days of his
ministration were fulfilled, he departed unto his house.
24 And after these days Elisabeth his wife conceived; and she hid
25 herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord done unto me in
the days wherein he looked upon _me_, to take away my reproach
among men.

[Footnote 1: Gr. _advanced in their days_.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _sanctuary_.]

[Footnote 3: Gr. _sikera_.]

[Footnote 4: Or, _Holy Spirit_: and so throughout all the
Gospels.]

[Footnote 5: Some ancient authorities read _come nigh before his
face_.]

[Footnote 6: Gr. _advanced in her days_.]

[Footnote 7: Or, _at his tarrying_.]

[Footnote a: There are three annunciations: (1) to Zacharias Sect. 4, (2) to Mary Sect. 5, (3) to Joseph Sect. 9. Luke gives the first two and Matthew the third. The Angel Gabriel is named by Luke (1:19, 26), but Matthew simply has "an angel of the Lord" (1:20).]

[Footnote b: It is certain that Luke tells the infancy stories from the standpoint of Mary while Matthew writes from the standpoint of Joseph. Matthew gives the public account while Luke tells the private story from Mary herself (Ramsay, _Was Christ Born at Bethlehem?_ p. 79). Luke could have seen Mary, if still alive, or could have obtained it from one of Mary's circle either orally or in manuscript form. Some scholars even suggest "Gospel of Mary" and even, "Gospel of the Baptist" as a written source for Luke in 1:5-2:52. Sanday (_The Life of Christ in Recent Research_, p. 166) says: "These two chapters--whatever the date at which they were first committed to writing--are essentially the most archaic thing in the whole New Testament." Certainly Luke reveals the use of Aramaic or Hebrew sources by the sudden changes in his style from 1:1-4. Luke, if familiar with the current account as seen in Matthew, apparently felt that he owed it to Mary to record her story of her great experience.]

Sect. 5. THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Nazareth. Probably B.C. 7 or 6

Luke 1:26-38

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a
27 city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man
whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's
28 name was Mary. And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that
29 art [1]highly favoured, the Lord _is_ with thee.[2] But she was
greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner
30 of salutation this might be. And the angel said unto her, Fear
31 not, Mary: for thou hast found [3]favour with God. And behold,
thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt
32 call his name JESUS [_see Isa. 7:14_]. He shall be great, and
shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall
give unto him the throne of his father David [_see 2 Sam.
33 7:12-17_]: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob [4]for ever;
34 and of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said unto the
35 angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel
answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee,
and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore
also [5]that which [6]is to be born [7]shall be called holy [_see
36 Ex. 13:12_], the Son of God. And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman,
she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the
37 sixth month with her that [8]was called barren. For no word from
38 God shall be void of power [_see Gen. 18:14_]. And Mary said,
Behold, the [9]handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to
thy word. And the angel departed from her.

[Footnote 1: Or, _endued with grace_.]

[Footnote 2: Many ancient authorities add _blessed_ art _thou among
women_. (See ver. 42.)]

[Footnote 3: Or, _grace_.]

[Footnote 4: Gr. _unto the ages_.]

[Footnote 5: Or, _the holy thing which is to be born shall be
called the son of God_.]

[Footnote 6: Or, _is begotten_.]

[Footnote 7: Some ancient authorities insert _of thee_.]

[Footnote 8: Or, _is_.]

[Footnote 9: Gr. _bondmaid_.]

Sect. 6. THE SONG[a] OF ELISABETH TO MARY UPON HER VISIT

Hill Country of Judea

Luke 1:39-45

39 And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with
40 haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of
41 Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, when
Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her
42 womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; and she lifted
up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed _art_ thou among
43 women, and blessed _is_ the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this
44 to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me? For behold,
when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe
45 leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed _is_ she that [1]believed;
for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been
spoken to her from the Lord.

[Footnote 1: Or, _believed that there shall be_.]

[Footnote a: This hymn or psalm springs from the omen to Elisabeth.]

Sect. 7. THE MAGNIFICAT OF MARY

Hill Country of Judea

Luke 1:46-56

46 And Mary said,
My soul doth magnify the Lord [_see 1 Sam. 2:1-10_],
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath looked upon the low estate of his [1]handmaiden:
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me
blessed [_see 1 Sam 1:11_].
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;
And holy is his name [_see 1 Sam. 2:2_].
50 And his mercy is unto generations and generations
On them that fear him [_see Ps. 103:17_].
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm;
He hath scattered the proud [2]in the imagination of their heart
[_see 1 Sam. 2:4; Ps. 89:10_].
52 He hath put down princes from _their_ thrones,
And hath exalted them of low degree [_see Job 5:11; 12:19_].
53 The hungry he hath filled with good things;
And the rich he hath sent empty away [_see Ps. 107:9_].
54 He hath holpen Israel his servant,
That he might remember mercy [_see Isa. 41:8-9_]
55 (As he spake unto our fathers)
Toward Abraham and his seed for ever [_see Gen. 17:7; Mic.
7:20_].
56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her
house.

[Footnote 1: Gr. _bondmaiden_.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _by_.]

Sect. 8. THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF THE BAPTIST, AND HIS DESERT LIFE

Hill Country of Judea. B.C. 7 or 6

Luke 1:57-80

57 Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered;
58 and she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and her kinsfolk
heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her; and they
59 rejoiced with her. And it came to pass on the eighth day, that they
came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him
60 Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered
61 and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto
62 her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And
63 they made signs to his father, what he would have him called. And
he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John.
64 And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and
65 his tongue _loosed_, and he spake, blessing God. And fear came on
all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised
66 abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all that heard
them laid them up in their heart, saying, What then shall this
child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and
prophesied, saying,
68 Blessed _be_ the Lord, the God of Israel;
For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people [_see
Ps. 72:18; 111:9_],
69 And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of his servant David [_see 1 Sam. 2:10; Ps. 18:3_]
70 (As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets which have been
since the world began),
71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us
[_see Ps. 106:10_];
72 To shew mercy towards our fathers,
And to remember his holy covenant;
73 The oath which he sware unto Abraham our father [_see Gen. 17:7;
Lev. 26:42; Ps. 105:8; Mic. 7:20_],
74 To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our
enemies
Should serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most
High:
For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his
ways [_see Mal. 3:1_];
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people
In the remission of their sins,
78 Because of the [1]tender mercy of our God,
[2]Whereby the dayspring from on high [3]shall visit us [_see
Mal. 4:2_],
79 To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death;
To guide our feet into the way of peace [_see Isa. 8:22; 9:2_].
80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the
deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.[a]

[Footnote 1: Or, _heart of mercy_.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _Wherein_.]

[Footnote 3: Many ancient authorities read _hath visited us_.]

[Footnote a: Dwell on this summary statement as to John's retired life in the wild regions of Judea, whence he will come forth thirty years later.]

Sect. 9. THE ANNUNCIATION TO JOSEPH OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Nazareth

Matt. 1:18-25

18 Now the [1]birth [2]of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his
mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came
19 together she was found with child of the [3]Holy Ghost. And Joseph
her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a
20 public example, was minded to put her away privily. But when he
thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared
unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is [4]conceived in
21 her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son; and
thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his
22 people from their sins. Now all this is come to pass, that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the
prophet, saying,
23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a
son [_see Isa. 7:14_],
And they shall call his name [5]Immanuel;
24 which is, being interpreted, God with us. And Joseph arose from
his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and
25 took unto him his wife; and knew her not till she had brought
forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.

[Footnote 1: Or, _generation_: as in ver. 1 in Sect. 3.]

[Footnote 2: Some ancient authorities read _of the Christ_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _Holy Spirit_.]

[Footnote 4: Gr. _begotten_.]

[Footnote 5: Gr. _Emmanuel_.]

Sect. 10. THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Bethlehem. Probably B.C. 6 or 5

Luke 2:1-7

1 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from
2 Caesar Augustus, that all the [1]world should be enrolled. This was
3 the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And
4 all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city.[a] And
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
5 because he was of the house and family of David; to enrol himself
6 with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And
it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled
7 that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn
son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

[Footnote 1: Gr. _inhabited earth_.]

[Footnote a: Observe how the ruler of the civilized world is unconsciously bringing it about that the Messiah, the son of David, shall be born at Bethlehem, though his mother's home was Nazareth. All the previous history of Rome and of Israel gathers about this manger. As to Quirinius, and as to the probable time of the Saviour's birth, see note 6 at the end of the book. The vindication of Luke's historical statements in these verses is one of the triumphs of modern research, as is shown in that note.]

Sect. 11. THE PRAISE OF THE ANGELS AND THE HOMAGE OF THE SHEPHERDS

Near Bethlehem

Luke 2:8-20

8 And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the
9 field, and keeping [1]watch by night over their flock. And an angel
of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round
10 about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto
them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great
11 joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you
this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is [2]Christ the
12 Lord. And this _is_ the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly
13 there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising[a] God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth [3]peace among [4]men in whom he is well pleased.
15 And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this [5]thing that is come to pass, which the
16 Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found
17 both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when
they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was
18 spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at
19 the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But Mary
20 kept all these [6]sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

[Footnote 1: Or, _night-watches_.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _Anointed Lord_.]

[Footnote 3: Many ancient authorities read _peace, good pleasure
among men_.]

[Footnote 4: Gr. _men of good pleasure_.]

[Footnote 5: Or, _saying_.]

[Footnote 6: Or, _things_.]

[Footnote a: The Gloria in Excelsis.]

Sect. 12. THE CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS

Bethlehem

Luke 2:21

21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him [_see
Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3_], his name was called JESUS, which was so
called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Sect. 13. THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE WITH THE HOMAGE OF SIMEON AND ANNA

Jerusalem

Luke 2:22-38

22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of
Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present
23 him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every
male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord)
24 [_see Ex. 13:2, 12, 15; Lev. 12:1-8_], and to offer a sacrifice
according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of
25 turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in
Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and
devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit
26 was upon him. And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy
Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the
27 Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when
the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do
28 concerning him after the custom of the law, then he received him
into his arms, and blessed God, and said,[a]
29 Now lettest thou thy [1]servant depart, O [2]Lord,
According to thy word, in peace;
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation [_see Isa. 52:10_],
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
32 A light for [3]revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of thy people Israel [_see Isa. 42:6; 49:6_].
33 And his father and his mother were marvelling at the things which
34 were spoken concerning him; and Simeon blessed them, and said unto
Mary his mother, Behold, this _child_ is set for the falling and
rising up of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken
35 against; yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that
36 thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one
Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher
(she was [4]of a great age, having lived with a husband seven
37 years from her virginity, and she had been a widow even for
fourscore and four years), which departed not from the temple,
38 worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day. And
coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of
him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

[Footnote 1: Gr. _bondservant_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _Master_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _the unveiling of the Gentiles_.]

[Footnote 4: Gr. _advanced in many days_.]

[Footnote a: The four New Testament psalms, given by Luke, breathe the atmosphere of Old Testament piety, quite in contrast to the formalism of the Pharisees and yet thoroughly Jewish in background and Christian in sentiment. But it is primitive Christian feeling. Section 7 gives the Magnificat of Mary in response to the song of Elisabeth in Sect. 6. In Sect. 8 we have the _Benedictus_ of Zacharias and in Sect. 13 The _Nunc Dimittis_ of Simeon.]

Sect. 14. MAGI VISIT THE NEW-BORN KING OF THE JEWS

Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Matt. 2:1-12

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of
Herod the king, behold, [1]wise men from the east [_see Num.
2 24:17_] came to Jerusalem, saying, [2]Where is he that is born King
of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to
3 worship him. And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and
4 all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief
priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the
5 Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of
Judea: for thus it is written [3]by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah:
For out of thee shall come forth a governor [_see Mic. 5:1-2_],
Which shall be shepherd of my people Israel.
7 Then Herod privily called the [1]wise men, and learned of them
8 carefully [4]what time the star appeared. And he sent them to
Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out carefully concerning the
young child; and when ye have found _him_, bring me word, that I
9 also may come and worship him. And they, having heard the king,
went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went
before them, till it came and stood over where the young child
10 was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding
11 great joy. And they came into the house and saw the young child
with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and
opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and
12 frankincense and myrrh. And being warned _of God_ in a dream that
they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own
country another way.

[Footnote 1: Gr. _Magi_. Compare Esther 1:13; Dan. 2:12.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _Where is the King of the Jews that is born?_]

[Footnote 3: Or, _through_.]

[Footnote 4: Or, _the time of the star that appeared_.]

Sect. 15. THE CHILD JESUS CARRIED TO EGYPT, AND THE CHILDREN AT BETHLEHEM SLAIN

Probably B.C. 5

Matt. 2:13-18

13 Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young
child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until
I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and
15 departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod: that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the
prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son [_see Hos. 11:1_].
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the [1]wise men, was
exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children
that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two
years old and under, according to the time which he had carefully
17 learned of the [1]wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was
spoken [2]by Jeremiah the prophet, saying [_see Jer. 31:15_],
18 A voice was heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
And she would not be comforted, because they are not.

[Footnote 1: Gr. _Magi_.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _through_.]

Sect. 16. THE CHILD BROUGHT FROM EGYPT TO NAZARETH

Probably B.C. 4

Matt. 2:19-23 |Luke 2:39
|
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel|
of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph |
20 in Egypt, saying, Arise and take the young |39 And when they
child and his mother, and go into the land | had accomplished
of Israel: for they are dead that sought | all things that were
21 the young child's life. And he arose and | according to the law
took the young child and his mother, and | of the Lord, they
22 came into the land of Israel. But when he | returned into
heard that Archelaus was reigning over | Galilee, to their
Judea in the room of his father Herod, he | own city Nazareth.
was afraid to go thither; and being warned |
_of God_ in a dream, he withdrew into the |
23 parts of Galilee, and came and dwelt in a |
city called Nazareth: that it might be |
fulfilled which was spoken [1]by the |
prophets,[a] that he should be called a |
Nazarene. |

[Footnote 1: Or, _through_.]

[Footnote a: _Cf._ Isa. 11:1 where the Messiah is called _Netzer_, a Branch, though Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament.]

Sect. 17. THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS AT NAZARETH

Probably B.C. 4 to A.D. 7

Luke 2:40

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, [1]filled with wisdom: and
the grace of God was upon him.[a]

[Footnote 1: Gr. _becoming full of wisdom_.]

[Footnote a: This simple statement of Luke tells more in one sentence than all the apocryphal Gospels of the Infancy, with their silly legends about the miraculous prowess of the child Jesus.]

Sect. 18. THE VISIT OF THE BOY JESUS TO JERUSALEM WHEN TWELVE YEARS OLD

Probably A.D. 7 or 8

Luke 2:41-50

41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the
42 passover [_see Ex. 23:14-17; Deut. 16:1-8_]. And when he was
43 twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; and
when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy
Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not;
44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey;
45 and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: and
when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for
46 him. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the [1]doctors, both hearing them,
47 and asking them questions: and all that heard him were amazed at
48 his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him, they
were astonished: and his mother said unto him, [2]Son, why hast
thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee
49 sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me?
50 wist ye not that I must be [3]in my Father's house? And they
understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

[Footnote 1: Or, _teachers_.]

[Footnote 2: Gr. _Child_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _about my Father's business_.]

Sect. 19. THE EIGHTEEN YEARS[a] AT NAZARETH

Probably A.D. 7 to A.D. 26 (or 6 to 25)

Luke 2:51-52

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was
subject unto them: and his mother kept all _these_ [1]sayings in
her heart.
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and [2]stature, and in [3]favour
with God and men [_see 1 Sam. 2:26_].

[Footnote 1: Or, _things_.]

[Footnote 2: Or, _age_.]

[Footnote 3: Or, _grace_.]

[Footnote a: After the return to Nazareth, we know nothing of Jesus' life at that place beyond the general statements of Luke 2:52, with the knowledge and dispositions indicated in the narrative of Sect. 18 and the fact that he was a carpenter, until he comes forth to be baptized by John, his forerunner. The social and political conditions of this period in Galilee are described by Edersheim, D. Smith, and other writers on the Life of Jesus, and briefly stated in Broadus's Commentary on Matthew, p. 30 f. Dwell on the general statement of Luke 2:52. Other passages throw light on the life in Nazareth as to habits of worship (Luke 4:16), the family group of brothers and sisters (Mark 6:3 = Matt. 13:55 f.), work as carpenter (_ibid._). A helpful book on this obscure period is Ramsay's _The Education of Christ_.]