Luke 2:41-52

Luke 2:41-52
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Rev. James Brandis, Chaplain,
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Retirement Services, Inc.

Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- I.III.2, I.XX.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter XXVI, Against Praxeas, Tertullian (c. 213)
- Chapter I, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
- Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, John Calvin, 1558: Luke 2:40-47, Luke 2:48-52.
- From the Geneva Notes.
  - "All duties which we owe to men, even though they are not to be neglected, so are they (according to the position in life which God has set us) not to be preferred before the glory of God."
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
  - "It is for the honour of Christ that children should attend on public worship."
- From Wesley's Notes. John Wesley (1703-1791).
  - "Not one word is said of his disputing with them, but only of his asking and answering questions, which was a very usual thing in these assemblies, and indeed the very end of them. And if he was, with others, at the feet of these teachers (where learners generally sat) he might be said to be in the midst of them, as they sat on benches of a semicircular form, raised above their hearers and disciples."
- "Christ About His Father's Business," Luke 2:49, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1857.
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  - "In fact, the beauty of Christ's example lies very much in His never at one stage of His life anticipating the duties of another."
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
  - "Jesus grew up among a people seldom and only contemptuously named by the ancient classics, and subjected at the time to the yoke of a foreign oppressor; in a remote and conquered province of the Roman empire; in the darkest district of Palestine; in a little country town of proverbial insignificance; in poverty and manual labor; in the obscurity of a carpenter's shop; far away from universities, academies, libraries, and literary or polished society; without any help, as far as we know, except the parental care, the daily wonders of nature, the Old Testament Scriptures, the weekly Sabbath service of the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:16), the annual festivities in the temple of Jerusalem (Luke 2:42), and the secret intercourse of his soul with God, his heavenly Father.--Schaff."
Comparative References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- Commentary, Luke 2:41-52, Niveen Sarras, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2018.
  - "Luke concludes this story with the family journey back to Nazareth and Jesus’ obedience to his parents. I think he became obedient after Mary gave him a harsh timeout to discipline him. Jesus grew in wisdom, as well as divine and human favor."
- Living by the Word, David Keck, The Christian Century, 2018.
  - "Jesus flips the script on his parents."
- "Keeping Company with Mary," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2018.
  - "Never underestimate the ponderings of a mother."
- "A Little Child Will Lead Us," Joe Mitchell, Modern Metanoia, 2018.
  - "The Incarnation is beautiful for many reasons, not the least of which is the reminder that God was a child like any of us."
- "Prophets Among Us," Clair Mesick, Political Theology Network, 2018.
  - "Where do we place ourselves in these narratives? What is our posture toward the prophets among us? Are we the prophetic children, the parents who tentatively support yet fear their calling, or the status quo that they oppose?"
- A Provocation, Richard Swanson, 2018.
  - "...They are together portrayed as faithful Jews. This fits into Luke’s overall narrative scheme: everywhere you look, you find observant, faithful Jews."
- "The People in the Church," Lynn Miller, Art & Faith Matters, celebrating our creative and living God by generating art and architecture resources for congregations and individuals. Art and Faith Matters facebook page contains additional resources.
- Commentary, Luke 2:41-52, Ron Allen, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
  - "In the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, Jesus is the model for the apostles who are the leaders and models for the church."
- "Parenting Just Got Difficult," Chris Ayers, ReThinkReDoChurch, 2018.
  - "You have the opportunity to take a little bit of the parenting anxiety off the parent’s shoulders."
- Sermon Starters for the Week, Scott Hoezee, textual notes, illustrations, commentary, Center for Excellence in Preaching, 2015.
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
- Preaching Luke 2:41-52, James Howell, 2015.
- "A Lost Child?" Bob Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2015.
- "A Twelve-Year Old Jewish Boy," Lynn Miller, Art & Faith Matters, celebrating our creative and living God by generating art and architecture resources for congregations and individuals. Art and Faith Matters facebook page contains additional resources.
- "Boy Wonder," Glenn Monson, Law & Gospel Everywhere, 2015.
- "If We Miss You," Andrew King, A Poetic Kind of Place, 2015.
- "Questions about This Odd Text," Scott Barton, lectionary poetry, 2015.
- Commentary, Luke 2:41-52, Craig A. Satterlee, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
  - "After three days, Mary and Joseph found Jesus alive and well in the Temple at Jerusalem among the teachers of the law, the very company where it all will all end as Jesus is tried, convicted, and handed over to be killed."
- "Living the Story," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2012.
  - "Rather than analyze these passages, perhaps we can just invite our people to enter into them. Perhaps, that is, the way to extend our celebration and contemplation of the Christmas story is to make it our own, inviting our people to identify with the characters."
- "And the Child Grew And Became Strong," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2012.
- Lectionary Blogging, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2009.
  - "...one notes that Joseph and Mary search for Jesus for 'three days.' In the resurrection, the new family of God supercedes one's earthly family."
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
- Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Luke 2:41-52, David Ewart, 2012.
  - "The return to Jerusalem by Jesus' parents ... would be risky as they would no longer be with the larger group. It would also be shameful as it would make public that Jesus had not been obedient to them."
- Comentario del Evangelio por Iris Barrientos, Lucas 2:41-52, Working Preacher, 2012.
- Commentary, Luke 2:41-52, Ginger Barfield, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  - "Verses 51 and 52 provide a Jesus model: he went home with his parents and obeyed them. He grew in all ways as a person should. The end of verse 51 tells us what Jesus' mother did: she worked out things in her heart and mind."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- "First Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Christmas 1, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  - "Luke gives us an ideal picture, but at least in doing so he retains a genuinely human Jesus in a genuinely human context. It is this Jesus (and this kind of Jesus, not one who dropped in complete from outer space) whom God anoints to declare and live out the good news of liberation and salvation."
- "Learning from Our Children," Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2009.
  - "Children find their true home despite us."
- Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
  - "Being the Son of God, being about his father's business means facing temptation and being servant to all in need. Perhaps in our text, it was the teachers in the temple who where the ones in need."
- Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
- "My Father's House and Business," Norb Kabelitz, Sabbatheology, The Crossings Community, 2009.
  - "Why is it that our witness seems to lose human (and maybe divine) favor in today's world?"
- Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Luke 2:41-52. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
  - "In the midst of the usual there are opportunities to find something more than we ever expected."
- "The Childhood of Jesus," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
- "Laying Foundations for Faith," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Catechesis," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
- "Fear, Family and Christmas," Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian Meditation. Claretian Publications.
  - "Just be still and know that God is there within you and many of your fears will vanish. This will make you a more sensitive and loving family member."
- "Jesus: A Normal Teenager," Feast of Sto. Niño, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian . Claretian Publications.
  - "Very often we do not have listening in a family because there is fear."
- "The Boy Jesus in the Temple," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- Lectionary Commentary and Preaching Paths (Christmas C1), by Dennis Bratcher, at The Christian Resource Institute.
  - "Since it is the first Sunday after Christmas, and this is the first narrative after the birth narratives in Luke, a valid question might be, "After Christmas, What?" Where do we go after we have celebrated, after we have heard angels sing and watched shepherds worship? Where do we go after the wonder has faded and we have been plodding amid the ordinary circumstances of life? Do we lose the sense of expectation, so that we do not really anticipate this child to do anything out of the ordinary?"
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Chakoian, Karen, "Between Text & Sermon, Luke 2:41-52," Interpretation, 1998.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Fiorenza, Elisabeth Schüssler, "Expository Article: Luke 2:41-52," Interpretation, 1982.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Guthrie, Shirley C., Jr., "Jesus' Family and Ours," Journal for Preachers, 1987. Sermon.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2010. (Section on this text begins on page 368)
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Jansen, John F., "An Exposition of Luke 2:41-52," Interpretation, 1976.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Klotz, John W., "1st Sunday after Christmas," Concordia Journal, 1985.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Meyer, Ben F., S.J., "'But Mary Kept All These Things...' (Luke 2:19, 51)," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1964.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Russell, Letty M., "God with Us," The Christian Century, 1991.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Storey, Peter, "Stirrings of Divinity," The Christian Century, 2000.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Thyne, Patrick, "Tell Me about Your Day," The Living Pulpit, 2003.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- van der Horst, P.W., "Notes on the Aramaic Background of Luke 2:41-52," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1980.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Sermons:
- "Where Is Jesus?" the Rev. Dr. Dwight Moody, Day 1, 2012.
- "Age 12 and Not a Smart Aleck?" "Age Twelve in the Temple," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
- "Question Time," the Rev. Sid Burgess, Day 1, 2000.
- Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Christmas 1, 2015, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2012.
- "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," 2015, Union Presbyterian Seminary.
- Children's Sermon, Faith Formation Journeys, 2018.
- "Sermon of the Week," / "Mensajes para ninos," Sermons 4 Kids, Charles Kirkpatrick, Object Lessons & Children's Sermons, Coloring Pages, Puzzles. Sermons4Kids.com.
- "Jesus Grows Up," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "Home Alone," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
- "Jesus Is Lost in Jerusalem," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- "The Boy Jesus Visits the Temple," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
Drama:
- "Airplane," Bruce Lang, dramatix.
- "Everyday Concerns," (scroll down) from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Weekly Devotion Page, Faith Formation Journeys, 2018.
- Clip Art, Luke 2:42, Luke 2:49, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
- Luke 2:41-52 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
- Clip Art, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
- Jesus Visits Jerusalem, Henry Martin, sermons4kids.com.
- Boy Jesus in Temple, Clip Art, Anglican Diocese of Dunedin, New Zealand.
Hymns and Music:
- "Jesus' Parents Left the Temple" a hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, recalls the story of Jesus as a boy in the Temple, talking with the religious leaders, when he was twelve years old. Tune: W ZLOBIE LEZY 4.4.7.4.4.7.4.4.4.4.7 ("Infant Holy, Infant Lowly").
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Luke 2:46, 49, 52. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- At Oremus Hymnal:
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- The Young Jesus
Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
Literary References online:
- "Temple," from La Corona by John Donne (1572-1631).
Find Worship Resources & Suggested Other Readings for use with this text:
- Christmas 1C
- Christmas 2A (Episcopal)
- Christmas 2B (Episcopal)
- Christmas 2C (Episcopal)
Study Links and Resources for the Book of Luke