lectionary.com

Christmas · Second Sunday after Christmas · Year A

Luke 2:40-52

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

January 4, 2026

The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple, William Holman Hunt
The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple, William Holman Hunt, 1854–1860Birmingham Museums Trust
Hunt spent years in Jerusalem on it, hiring Jewish sitters and studying synagogue practice, so the rabbis are a careful study of real religious life.Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? The reading is a boy at twelve already turning into someone else.William Holman HuntA founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the only one who kept its principles for life, travelling to Palestine to paint biblical scenes on the ground.Birmingham Museums TrustBirmingham's civic collection, with the largest holding of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world.Birmingham Museums Trust
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:40-52Lk 2:40-52
EpistleEph. 1:3-14Eph 1:3-14
Old Testament1 Kings 3:4-151 Kgs 3:4-15
PsalterPs. 119:97-104Ps 119:97-104

Overview & Insights

“Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)

The only canonical episode from Jesus’ childhood is framed by two nearly identical growth notices (vv. 40 and 52), the second of which echoes the description of the boy Samuel at 1 Samuel 2:26, so Luke narrates it in the shape of a prophet’s youth. The answer to Mary in v. 49 contains the first of the Gospel’s uses of dei, “it is necessary”, the word that will later govern the passion (9:22; 24:7, 26), and its key phrase is elliptical in Greek, literally “in the things of my Father”, which can be rendered either as a house or as a business. The three days of searching (v. 46) and the temple setting will both return at the end of the Gospel. Luke leaves Mary not understanding (v. 50) and yet keeping the words (v. 51), the same posture he gave her at 2:19, so the episode is a lesson in retention rather than in comprehension.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Luke 2:40-52

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 2:41-52Commentary on Lk 2:41-52 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary exegesis on the boy Jesus among the temple teachers, the RCL page for this same temple pericope.

Luke 2:41-52 CommentaryLk 2:41-52 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on Jesus in his Father's house and growing in wisdom and favor.

Luke 2 Commentary: The Childhood of JesusLk 2 Commentary: The Childhood of Jesus Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's evangelical verse-by-verse study covering the return to Nazareth and the visit at age twelve.

Luke 2:40 CommentariesLk 2:40 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators aggregated on the child growing strong and filled with wisdom.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)The Boy Jesus at the Temple (Lk 2:41-52) JesusWalk · Ralph Wilson

Ralph Wilson's study of the temple episode, useful for character detail and devotional preparation.

Background & Word Study

Enter the Bible: LukeEnter the Bible: Lk Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on Luke's audience and the shape of the infancy narrative.

Luke 1-9 OverviewLk 1-9 Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of the first half of Luke that frames the boy Jesus in the temple.

Luke 2:40 InterlinearLk 2:40 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for growing, wisdom (sophia), and grace (charis).

The Church Fathers

Catena: Luke 2Catena: Lk 2 Catena

Patristic and medieval comment gathered on the twelve-year-old Jesus and his answer to Mary and Joseph.

Sermons & Reflections

Monday Meditation: Luke 2:41-52Monday Meditation: Lk 2:41-52 Gary Neal Hansen

Presbyterian per-text meditation on the missing boy who turns out to be about his Father's business.

Worship & Prayers

LCMS Three-Year Series Prayers, Second Sunday after Christmas files.lcms.org

Prayers of the Church dated Jan. 4, 2026, for the Second Sunday after Christmas, the week Luke 2:40-52 is appointed.

Art & Music

Christ among the Doctors, Abraham Danielsz. Hondius wga.hu

Shows the boy Jesus questioning the teachers in the temple, the scene of Luke 2:46-47.

Study Hub

Luke 2:41-52, TextweekLk 2:41-52, Textweek textweek.com

Textweek's linked resource page for the boy Jesus in the temple, Luke 2:41-52.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 2:40-52
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.