ST LUKE
CHAPTER 2
Angelic ministrants herald the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem—He is circumcised, and Simeon and Anna prophesy of his mission—At twelve years he is about his Father’s business.
1 AND it came to pass in those days, that
there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world [ IV:
"his empire" or the roman empire ] should
be taxed. [ Rome ruled
much of the Mediterranean world at the time of Christ’s birth. Augustus
was a capable and energetic ruler, and he spent his reign (31 B.C. to
A.D. 14) establishing a certain tradition of lawfulness and honesty in
the Roman bureaucracy, reorganizing the provincial governments and working
at financial reform. His reign was marked by a degree of order. Augustus
ordered a general taxing of the Roman Empire in 1 B.C. This “taxing” was actually
aregistering of persons, as Elder James E. Talmage has explained: “The taxing
herein referred to may properly be understood as an enrollment, or a registration,
whereby a census of Roman subjects would be secured, upon which as a
basis the taxation of the different peoples would be determined. This
particular census was the second of three such general registrations recorded
by historians as occurring at intervals of about twenty years. Had the census
been taken by the usual Roman method, each person would have been enrolled
at the town of his residence; but the Jewish custom, for which the Roman
law had respect, necessitated registration at the cities or towns claimed by
the respective families as their ancestral homes.” (Jesus the Christ, pp. 91–92.)
]
3 And all went to be taxed, every
one into his own city. [ Most likely a time of great hustle and bustle
- much like today...everyone going in so many different directions, and
yet all were going to miss a miracle ]
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out
of the city of Nazareth, [ Joseph and Mary did
not live in Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth. Rather, they lived in
Nazareth (see map). But obedient to the dictum of prophecy, circumstances transpired
that brought them to Bethlehem for the birth of Christ. (See Micah 5:2.) After
summarizing the opinions of various scholars in the matter of Christ’s birthday,
Elder James E. Talmage compares their conclusions with modern revelation and
then affirms: “We believe that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
April 6, B.C. 1.” (Jesus the Christ, p. 104.) Of this President Harold B. Lee
declared: “This is the annual conference of the Church. April 6, 1973, is a
particularly significant date because it commemorates not only the anniversary
of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in this
dispensation, but also the anniversary of the birth of the Savior, our Lord
and Master, Jesus Christ. [Quoted D&C 20:1]” (CR, Apr. 1973, p. 4.)] into Judaea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem;
[Hebrew mans "house of Bread". According to
the Anchor Bible the original Canaanite name for the town was "BitLahmi" or "house
of the God Lahmu". So it appears as if the Jews altered the names from
its previous idolatrous Canaanite name a more suitable one: from house
of an idolatrous God to house of the God of Israel.] (because he was
of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,
[ There was no necessity for Mary to have gone to Bethlehem, as Joseph's presence could have answered the end proposed in the census as well without Mary as with her; but God so ordered it, that the prophecy of Micah should be thus fulfilled, and that Jesus should be born in the city of David; Micah 5:2. Mary was espoused to Joseph. They were not married but
were promised to each other under the strictest terms. Mary was virtually regarded
as the wife of Joseph, and unfaithfulness on her part during the espousal
period was punishable by death (Deuteronomy 22:23, 24). During the espousal
period, the bride-elect lived with her family or friends, and all communication
between herself and her promised husband was carried on through a friend.
When Joseph learned of Mary’s prospective maternity and knew he was not the
father, he had two alternatives: (1) he could demand that Mary submit
to a public trial and judgment, which even at that late point in Jewish history
may have resulted in Mary’s death; or (2) he could privately sever the
espousal contract before witnesses. Joseph obviously chose the most merciful
INTRODUCTION Jesus is Jehovah. He was the God of the Old Testament. He was
born as a spirit son in premortality, the first so born. He grew in grace and
power there until he stood as one “like unto God.” (Abraham 3:24.) He sustained
the Father’s will and defended the Father’s plan. He was and is the Word, the
Messenger of salvation, who was with God before the foundations of this world
were laid (John 1:1, 14; D&C
93:7–9), and who was foreordained there to be the Lamb, the great and
last sacrifice, the Redeemer and Savior of men. Jehovah, Jesus, the Lamb
appointed to atone before the foundation of the world (see Smith, Teachings,
p. 181), was born into the world. He descended from his “throne divine” to
walk among men. And his life among men began in a stable in an obscure Palestinian
village, about two thousand years ago. The story of Christ’s birth and
youth includes references to many events. The references in the following reading
block and the lesson material will enable you to inquire deeply into
the divine sonship of Christ, and his early years. Before proceeding, read
all the scriptural references in the reading block. THEME It is important that
we know that Jesus Christ is literally the son of the Eternal Father and that
he had to overcome the trials and vicissitudes of mortal life. 23 of the two
alternatives. He could have reacted selfishly and with bitterness when he learned
that Mary was expecting, and it is a profound witness to Joseph’s character
that he chose to annul the espousal privately. Of this, Elder James E. Talmage
has written: “Joseph was a just man, a strict observer of the law, yet no harsh
extremist; moreover he loved Mary and would save her all unnecessary
humiliation, whatever might be his own sorrow and suffering. For Mary’s sake
he dreaded the thought of publicity; and therefore determined to have the espousal
annulled with such privacy as the law allowed.” (Jesus the Christ, p. 84.)
It may be that the Lord designed such an experience to test Joseph, and if
that be the case, Joseph proved faithful. After Joseph had made his decision,
then the angel visited him and directed that he should proceed and take Mary
as his wife. Mary’s high station was known before she was born (Mosiah 3:8;
Alma 7:10; 1 Nephi 11:15, 18–21; Isaiah 7:14), and Joseph no doubt was foreordained
to the honored station that he held, for the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that
“every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world
was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this
world was.” (Teachings, p. 365. Italics added.) Surely Joseph was a noble soul
in premortality to be blessed with the signal honor of coming to earth and
acting as the legal guardian of the son of the Eternal Father in the flesh.] being great with child. [ Could this have been in part a reason why there was no room for them in the homes of extended families? The families could do the math and the birth of the child did not add up to the period since they were married, so there was some because they were being greeted with such judgment and such condemnation. They were being rejected by relatives. So that makes it more personal. Who ever said that following God was going to be easy? ]
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
[ Think about this for a moment - we were there for this event, we were there with all of our ancestors, we knew the signifigance for us we would not have missed it for anything. ]
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son,
[ According to the law he would be entitled to a double
portion of all that the Father has. So if Jesus' father was God - then
his birthright and blessings would come from the God the Father - and
what would a double portion of that blessing be? All that his father
has (the same blessing that we are entitled too plus those things that
he made with his own hands under the direction of the Father. ] and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, [ Swaddling clothes were how the shepherds of the flock; those pure shepherds called and set apart to tend the sheep that would be offered in similitude of the sacrifice of the son of God upon the temple altars were wrapped in pieces of woven material that the Temple shepherds used to wipe off the newborn lambs prior to their inspection. Swaddling means wrapping infants in blankets or similar cloths so that movement of the limbs is tightly restricted. Another thought is that this is the same way that the dead are wrapped, they are wrappedin strips of cloth, swaddling or tightly bond cloth. The signifigance is that Jesus was born to die for our sins. The Jews used the garments of the priests after they were not used by the priests to make the stips of cloth used for the purpose of swaddling clothes for the firstborn lambs. ] and laid him in a manger; [ Interesting symbolism here for an old farm boy. The manager is the place were the cattle gather to be feed. Mary brought him forth and put him in a manger because he was going to be the bread of life, the living water, that all needed to partake of for eternal life. ] because
there was no room for them in the inn. [ How symbolic is that! How often is there no room for him in our lives as well? What can we do to be better inn keepers? ]
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, [ "abide" and how it means to stay, to continue, to endure without complaint, they are where they are supposed to be, doing their assignment. We learn from Bruce R. McConkie and James Talmage that they were the shepherds who were watching over sheep that were bound for the temple. And why did they need to watch over them at night? Well, because the sacrifices had to be of the first born. So the shepherds needed to pay special close attention because these were shepherds that had to witness the birth of the first born and be able to verify that this sacrificial lamb was indeed the first born. And when we think about that, then how appropriate for God to call these shepherds, not just any shepherds, but these just and holy men, and there were probably women among them as well, to come and witness the birth of the firstborn of the father in the spirit. These were not ordinary shepherds, not ordinary shepherds at all. Interesting to note the OT presents religious leaders as shepherds - note that the angel does not go to the spiritual shepherds - but goes to real shepherds. Why? because the real shepherds are the only ones that would be receptive to the message. Three symbolsims here: 1) Goes to real shepards not the spiritual shepards 2) The real shepards come to worship the real and true shepard to which they pay their respects too 3) David from whom Jesus is a descendan was a shepard as was predicted in Micah 5:1The religious leaders were given under the direction of the King. Also of note that the connection is also with David of Bethlehem who was a shepherd. Why are the shepherds mentioned first? Well we know that these were not just ordinary shepherds they were the ones responsible for the sheep that would be used for temple sacrifice. These shepherds would understand the meaning of this as they were the ones who were responsible to wrap the young lambs in swaddling clothes as well, to bind them tightly for thesir protection at birth as they had to be without blemish. So was the sone of God born without blemish. ] keeping watch over their flock by night. [ April 6 1 BC: the date would be during the short lambing season, which would explain why the shepherds were keeping watch - watching for the young lambs to be born. How fitting for the Lamb of God to be born during lambing season. Or, "keeping the watches of the night", i.e. each one keeping a watch (which ordinarily consisted of three hours) in his turn. The reason why they watched them in the field was to preserve the sheep from beasts of prey, such as wolves, foxes, or from freebooting bandits, with which all the land of Judea was at that time much infested, and the third was to watch for sheep delivering their young lamb and render assistance were needed. It was a custom among the Jews to send out their sheep to the deserts, about the passover, and bring them home at the commencement of the first rain: during the time they were out, the shepherds watched them night and day. As the passover occurred in the spring, and the first rain began early in the month of Marchesvan, which answers to part of our October and November, we find that the sheep were kept out in the open country during the whole of the summer. These shepherds had not yet brought home their flocks, it is a presumptive argument that October had not yet commenced, and that, consequently, our Lord was not born on the 25th of December, when no flocks were out in the fields; nor could he have been born later than September, as the flocks were still in the fields by night. On this very ground the nativity in December should be given up. Did all of the shepards that were there go to see the Savior? Did some not do anything differently? Which shepard would you have been? These were not ordinary shepherds and this was no ordinary flock. First; the shepherds were specially trained and purified for their calling; and this flock was being cared for and raised up to a specific purpose. These were the lambs destined to be sacrificed upon the holy altars of the Temple. Sacrificed in the similitude of him who was to be born that holy night. When born these lambs were looked over and if found to be perfect were themselves wrapped in swaddling clothes to certify their divine mission. They were free to graze in a pasture just for them found on the road to Jerusalem, and close to the city of Betlehem. So important was this flock that a tower was erected to ensure their protection. The tower affectionately know to those of the city as the “watch-tower of the flock” (is the Hebrew phrase "Migdal Edar" [mig-dawl ay-der] and means a "watch tower of the flock") . This was fortold but Micah in Mic 5:2; 4:8. It’s grand design placed it high in the air; providing a look out point for the shepherd's of the watch - those hired to protect the flock. An assignment given only to those who were respected; for they were to ensure that none were harmed or injured. You see a simple blemish or injury of any kind to one of these would disqualify it from fulfilling it’s sacred purpose. So it was to these humble servants who cared for the sacrificial lambs that the angel announced the birth of The Lamb of God.]
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,
I bring you good tidings [
or good news - the gospel is defined as "good news"] of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. [ Just as these shepherds would wrap the lambs that were found after their inspection at birth; if found to be without blemish - they would wrap them in swaddling clothes as certification that they were worthy to be sacrificial lambs. So the sign to the shepherds was that they would find the son of God, the Savior of the world wrapped symbolicly the exact same way as certification to them that such was so. ]
14 Glory to God in the highest,. [ "en uyistoiv" meaning not only in the highest heavens and among the highest orders of beings, but in the highest and most exalted degrees ] and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let
us now go ["dielqwmen" meaning and urgent plee that we must go now. That we may lose no time, that we may speedily see, as if to say all delays are dangerous. ] even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [ How would they have known were to go? There had to be hundreds and hundreds of stables in Bethlehem - so finding the right one would have taken more than one night. IF they understood the prophecies of Micah 5:2 & 4:8 and the clue that he would be wrapped in swaddling clothes vs 12 - they would have understood right were to go. To the tower Midal Edar.]
17 And when they had seen it, they made
known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. [
they appear to have told quite a few people about it - but it doesn't
appear that the others have done much more that just talk about it. ]
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [ Greek translation is "parleyed" or "tossed about" . so
as Mary deliberated over what had happened over the past year she became
to understand more completely the import, and mission of the child to which
she had just given birth. ] them in
her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight [ The number eight always points to a new beginning, purification, or the Atonement. It is found in association with temples, ordinances, or other holy themes. To help illustrate this, it helps if we first understand that the symbolism of eight is directly related to the symbolism of seven. In Genesis, we read:
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished . . . And on the seventh day, God ended his work which he had made” (Gen. 2: 1-2).
Seven, therefore, in the Hebrew tradition means finished, whole, or complete. What then becomes of the eighth day? The eighth day then becomes the first day of a new period. In other words, not the beginning, but a new beginning. By exploring a few scriptures, we see that this new beginnings represents purification the Atonement of Christ.
For example, animals used for sacrifices stayed with the mother seven days, and then were slain on the eigth day. These animals were symbolic of Christ as an eternal sacrifice. Similarly, the priests of Aaron under Moses were to purge seven days, and on the eighth day they could enter the tabernacle, being purified, and make an atoning sacrifice.
We learn in Ezekial that “upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord” (Ezekiel 43:26-27). ] days were accomplished for the acircumcising [ Joseph
and Mary we obedient - as the law states that on the eigth day they are
to be circumcised. Gen 17:12; Gen 21:4 ] of the child, his name was called JESUS,
which was so named of
the angel before he was conceived in the womb. [ When Jesus was born, “the veil of forgetfulness common to all who are born to earth, by which the remembrance of primeval existence is shut off” was cast over him. (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 111.) In the premortal world, Jesus had stood as “one like unto God” (Abraham 3:24), “more intelligent than they all” (Abraham 3:19), meaning all the other created spirits. But although his capacity was greater than that of any other, and he was designated to become the Only Begotten son, still he was meek and humble; and he condescended to have a veil cast over him and to have the knowledge of his glory and power in premortality blocked from his mind at birth. President Joseph Fielding Smith further explained:
“Without a doubt, Jesus came into the world subject to the same condition as was required of each of us—he forgot everything, and he had to grow from grace to grace. His forgetting, or having his former knowledge taken away, would be requisite just as it is in the case of each of us, to complete the present temporal existence.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:33. Italics added.) Can you see that although Jesus was the greatest spirit to come to the earth, he also had greater trials than anyone in the earth?
It is improper to suppose that Jesus was not tested and tempted equal to his great capacity. The fact that he was sinless and that he resisted every temptation does not make it any less a fact that he was subject to temptations. He knows how difficult temptations are, because he experienced bitter temptations; but he resisted them all. Read what King Benjamin taught in Mosiah 3:7.
Jesus suffered temptations far beyond what men could endure; he confronted the powers of evil and won. But because he had to resist temptations, he understands the effort man must make to resist temptation. Again, as Paul said: “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15.)
Jesus was perfectly obedient, and because he was,
“he received all power, both in heaven and on
earth.” (D&C 93:17. Emphasis added.) But Jesus did not receive this great power and glory all at once. He received it piecemeal, step by step, degree by degree, “line upon line, precept upon precept” (D&C 128:21) until he received a fulness of the glory of the Father (see D&C 93:11–17). ]
22 And when the days of her purification [ The
Greek presents it as "Their" plural. The law is that at birth of a child
both mother and child undergo ritual purification. Lev12. the ritual
purification for the mother is half that for male babies than for
females, ostensibly because the male baby bears the other half
through the circumcision. Hence the plural "their" in the
present verse.That is, thirty-three days after what was termed the seven days of her uncleanness- forty days in all: for that was the time appointed by the law, after the birth of a male child. See Lev. 12:2, 6. ] according to the law of Moses were accomplished,
they brought him to Jerusalem,
[ Jerusalem got its name when Abraham came to
the city that was then called Shalem to pay tithes and get his priesthood
ordinances. This encounter between Melchizedek and Abraham was commemorated
by renaming the city in their honor: the name Yeru (derived from Yireh, the
name Abraham gave to the Temple Mount) was combined with Shalem, producing
Yeru-Shalem, meaning the "city of Shalem," or "founded by Shalem." If
shalem means "complete," or "without defect, " Yerushalayim
would mean the "perfect city," or "the city of he who is perfect". see Heb 7:1 ] to present him to
the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law [
See Exod. 13:2 The law of Moses is here not the law of the land. ] of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall
be called holy to the Lord;) [ So the law was that the firstborn sons, only was the one that was considered holy. As a result, according to the law the firstborn would have to spend their life in priestly service.
That's one of the reasons Mary and Jospeh are making or paying this sacrifice. Joseph came, Mary came, and it was, this sacrifice was part of her ritual cleansing. But Joseph came to pay a tax, so to speak, that was required of the first born, so that (Jesus) in this case would be excused from priestly service, so that Jesus would not have to spend his life in priestly service. It's actually a tax excusing Christ from priestly service. so Joseph was excusing him from this priestly duty, that Jesus was literally born into. and yet Jesus is born to become the high priest of good things to come. He is born to become the high priest that would part the veil, and enter into the Holy of Holies, and there make it possible through his blood to be able to have all of us go through the veil into the Celestial Kingdom.
This is also why the Shepards needed to watch the birthing provess of the sheep all night long to identify which was the first botn because without seeing the birth take place they could not know which was the first born. ]
24 And to offer a sacrifice [ According to Jewish law neither the mother nor the child were considered under the Lord's covenant, or under the Divine protection, till these ceremonies, prescribed by the law, had been performed. This sacrifice was for Mary, but it was also a sacrifice offered by Joseph. ] according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. [ One was for a burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering: see Lev. 12:8. The rich were required to bring a lamb, but the poor and middling classes were required to bring either two turtle doves, or two pigeons. Suggesting that Joseph and Mary did not come from wealth. ]
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon;
and the same man was just
and devout, [ He is noted as being a devout Jew, a temple worker as well. There can be no doubt that there were many persons in Jerusalem named Simeon, besides this man; but there was none of the name who merited the attention of God so much as he in the text. Such persevering exemplary piety was very rare, and therefore the inspired penman ushers in the account with behold! Several learned men are of the opinion that he was son to the famous Hillel, one of the most celebrated doctors and philosophers which had ever appeared in the Jewish nation since the time of Moses. Simeon is supposed also to have been the AB or president of the grand Sanhedrin. ] waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon
him. [ Or he was living the kind of life that
allowed him to be directed by the spirit. ]
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he
should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. [ He was promised through revelation that he would see the Savior before
he left this mortal existance. Can you imagine someone taking your baby and saying, "Can I just hold your child for a minute?" And then handing it back saying, "I think I can die now. I have seen what I had been promised by the Holy Ghost that I would see." ]
27 And he [ Simeon ] came
by the Spirit into the temple: [ He had been lead
to the temple that day by the spirit. ] and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to
do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he [ Simeon the first named witness that Jesus is the Christ. ] him [ the child Jesus ] up in his arms, and blessed God, [ Simeon recognizes Jesus, through inspiration, as the Messiah ] and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, [ Now thou dismissest, apolueiv, loosest him from life; having lived long enough to have the grand end of life accomplished. ] according to thy word: [ It was promised to him, that he should not die till he had seen the Lord's anointed, ver. 26; and now, having seen him, he expects to be immediately dismissed in peace into the eternal world; having a full assurance and enjoyment of the salvation of God. Though Simeon means his death, yet the thing itself is not mentioned; for death has not only lost its sting, but its name also, to those who have, even by faith, seen the Lord's anointed. ]
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, [ Or I have laid my eyes on the one who will bring salvation to all mankind. ]
31 Which thou hast prepared [ "o htoimasav", which thou hast MADE READY ] before the face of all people;
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. [ A little bit of a line upon a line. Joseph and Mary are further taught of the purpose of their son, and what he will do. In a way they are still learning to comprehend the whole picture. ]
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign [ A mark or butt to shoot at-a metaphor taken from archers. ] which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword [ IV:"spear" alluding to John 19:34? ] shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, [ Anna means "full of grace." It does not appear that this person was a prophetess in the strict sense of the word, i.e. one who could foretell future events; but rather a holy woman; who, from her extensive knowledge and deep experience in Divine things, was capable of instructing others; according to the use of the word profhteuw, 1 Cor. 14:3: He that prophesieth, speaketh unto men to edification, and to exhortation, and to comfort. So we find this holy widow proclaiming Jesus to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem, ver. 38. Andy Skinner and Kelly Ogden, their comment about this. "Another witness of the redeemer came forward, a very old prophetess and temple worker of the tribe of Asher named Anna, or Hebrew, Hannah. The Bible gives the title prophets to six women: Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Noadiah, Isaiah's wife, and Anna. In addition, Philip the Evangelist had four daughters who did prophesy." Daniel Ludlow wrote, 'The reference to Deborah as a prophetess does not mean she held the priesthood office or calling of a prophet. Her gift of prophecy would have been essentially the same that is available to every worthy person who has received the gift of the Holy Ghost.' Joseph Smith said, quote, 'Every man who has come into this church, and every woman for that matter who has received the testimony of the spirit of the Lord is a prophet or prophetess.' That every man should be a prophet, because every man in the church should have the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy." ] the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: [ Probably Asher in Hebrew. ] she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore
and four years, [ A score is 20 so she is 84 years
old. ] which departed not from the temple, [ She gets her revelation while serving in the temple, just like Simeon, later in this chapter we find Jesus there as well. So one message her from Luke is to get to the temple. President Nelson said, "The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude, because the Savior and his doctrine are the very heart of the temple." October of '21, he also states, "If you don't yet love to attend the temple, go more often, not less. Let the Lord through his Spirit," and you can see the Holy Ghost is here with both Simeon and Anna in the temple, "let the Lord through his spirit teach and inspire you there. I promise you that over time, the temple will become a place of safety, solace, and revelation." ] but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
[ There were three feasts that required Jews to make an effort to come to the temple. One was the feast of the Passover. The other was Pentecost, 50 days after the feast of the Passover, when they were celebrating the first fruits of their planting in the spring, kind of an early Thanksgiving. And the other was the feast of the Tabernacles in the fall, when they were celebrating the final harvest of the year. They were also looking back to their ancestors, much like we do at Thanksgiving. We look back to the pilgrims and honor them. They look back to their ancestors who dwelt in tents and who had a tabernacle in the wilderness, and how God blessed them and guided them through the wilderness. So those are the three times they come to the temple. Very interesting to note that the holiest day for the Jews, anciently and today, is Yom Kippur, and that is the Day of Atonement. But there wasn't a requirement to go to the temple. Instead, they celebrated that holiday by fasting, by repenting, by seeking purification. Those were some of the major festivals. But here Joseph and Mary, as dutiful Jews, were coming to the Passover. And it says he was 12 years old. And then we know that they lost him. I mean, imagine the pain of losing the son of God. You can't blame them for not noticing Him, because He was probably with the other children, or they assumed He was. But when they finally realized He wasn't there, then they went back and they found Him in the temple.
]
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, [ Or caravan. The AB states "The reason for a traveling-party of pilgrims going from Galilee to Jerusalem was the need to pass through inhospitable Samaritian territory or to avoid attacks by highway robbers (See Luke 10:30) some have supposed that the men and women marched in separate companies on these occasions, which is very likely; and that sometimes the children kept company with the men, sometimes with the women. This might have led to what otherwise seems to have been inexcusable carelessness in Joseph and Mary. Joseph, not seeing Jesus in the men's company, might suppose he was with his mother in the women's company; and Mary, not seeing him with her, might imagine he was with Joseph. ] went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
46 And it came to pass, that after
three days [ v44 one day traveling away from the city, then one day to return back and then found him after looking around the city on the third day. Can you imagine their sense of despair and worry for 3 days? Not only have they lost their son but they have lost the son of God.
] they
found him in the temple, [ How fitting. Same place as Anna and Simeon. Notice how quickly Luke takes us from Jesus in a manger to the Temple - to God's house, it is where we can find him today. ] sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing
them, and asking them
questions. [ Look at the footnote B. It says, "The Greek teachers." "Both hearing them and asking them questions." Look at the footnote C. It says, "Joseph Smith translation, and they were hearing Him and asking Him questions." So He wasn't just eager to learn from these men, but He was literally teaching these men. Not as a scholar asks his teacher, to be informed; but as a teacher, who proposes questions to his scholars in order to take an occasion to instruct them. It sounds like he was giving the the first discussion.
He was not just giving pat answers to questions that the wise men were testing
him with but he was leading the discussion, listening and questioning,
answering and challenging them. In the time of Josephus, the Jewish teachers were either very ignorant or very humble: for he tells us that, "when he was about fourteen years of age, the chief priests, and the principal men of the city, were constantly coming to him to be more accurately instructed in matters relative to the law." See his Life, sect. ii. If this were true, it is no wonder to find them now listening, with the deepest attention, to such teaching as they never before heard. ]
47 And all that heard him were astonished
at his understanding and
answers. [ "apokrisiv" - answers here seems not to mean answers only, but what Jesus said by way of question to the doctors, ver. 46. Who taught Jesus
what he knew? Joseph Smith translation, and we look at Matthew 3:24-26 of the Joseph Smith translation, it says, "It came to pass that Jesus grew up with His brethren and waxed strong and waited upon the Lord for the time of His ministry to come." 25, it says, "He served under His father and He spake not as other men. Neither could He be taught, for He needed not that any man should teach Him." His Father, God the Father,
taught him. That he was taught by wiser than mortal men is evident, and
that he learned his lessons well, for the Prophet Joseph Smith said of
him: “When still a boy, He had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him
to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest
and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and
practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom He possessed; but He
was a boy only, and lacked physical strength even to defend His own person;
and was subject to cold, to hunger, and to death.” (Teachings, p. 392.) Now, He doesn't need to be taught, not because He doesn't have the veil over His memory ... Both James Talmage and Jesus
the Christ and Lorenzo Snow ... We read in Teachings of Presidents of the Church that Lorenzo Snow also said Jesus had a veil over His memory. So who was it that was teaching Him the education of children was the responsibility of the father? So if Joseph was with his brethren, other members of his immediate family, step-siblings, then the education would've been Joseph's responsibility. So it says, "He was under His father," but we can recognize that Joseph was a stepfather. So while Joseph taught the other children and probably taught Jesus as well, it was Heavenly Father directly who was teaching Jesus through that veil, giving Him, as President Steve Lund talks about, many bursts of light through that veil. And all those bursts of light were adding up together, and He was being taught with the spirit. It says that He had the veil, but He was given the spirit in unlimited abundance.
In Doctrine and Covenants 93:13, we read, "And He received not of the fullness at first." So He still had the veil over His
memory, as all humans, for a time. "But continued from grace to grace until He received a fullness." So He grew and learned. And the Holy Ghost, the messenger of God's grace, says Elder Christofferson, also taught Jesus. So He was taught by His father, His literal father, grace to grace. He was taught through the Spirit. And He got to a point where He was at 12 years old and had such a deep understanding that not only did He want to be about His father's business, but He could be about His father's business, because He had gained that much knowledge about who He was, the plan, and His role in fulfilling the central most important part of that plan by performing the Atonement. ]
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 [ A clear statement to Mary that he has begun to understand his purpose
- and knows full well who his father is - and it is NOT Joseph. ] business? [ The word "business" was not found in the Greek version. Most modern translations render it as "house" keeping it all in context as he is in the temple. ]
50 And they understood not [ One
could suppose that Mary and Joseph still had not comprehended the mission
of the Messiah - maybe they were tainted by tradition to believe that
when the Messiah come with so much power it is only reasonable to think
that everyone would want to worship him, and then there is the question
you would ask yourself why this child to us? a little doubt in themselves
maybe. But it would not take much of a stretch to think that they too
might expect a physical Messiah- King. sometimes after time our visions
tend to fade a little - that;s why it is important to wriet them done.
reason why patriarchial blessings are written down? ] the
saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth,
and was subject unto
them: [ Although he knew who he was, and his mission;
he was obedient to his earthly parents; he was sensitive to their needs. Probable
just like most of your children right? What child is this? ] but
his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom [
How did he gain his wisdom? D&C
93:11-17 ] and
stature, [ He grew up - the mortal process of getting
bigger. ] and in favour with
God [ What did he do to find favor with
God? he knew who he was, the son of God and was beginning to understand his mission and to complete his assignments. ] and
man. [ What did he do to find favor with
man? He has accomplished a very high degree of learning especially for someone so young that at age 12 he is discussing the laws of God with the most learned men of the time in the temple. So in a way he has found favor with man as he is able to discuss with them and challenge them on and adult level. ]