40 aThe Child continued to grow and become strong, 1increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Visit to Jerusalem

41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at athe Feast of the Passover.

42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

43 and as they were returning, after spending the afull number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,

44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.

46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

47 And all who heard Him awere amazed at His understanding and His answers.

48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and aHis mother said to Him, “1Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, bYour father and I 2have been anxiously looking for You.”

49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that aI had to be in My Father’s 1house?”

50 But athey did not understand the statement which He 1had made to them.

51 And He went down with them and came to aNazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and bHis mother ctreasured all these 1things in her heart.

52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and 1stature, and in afavor with God and men.