Notes on Luke 2:43-3:20

Luke 2:43-44

The custom of the day meant that the entire village would have likely travelled together to Jerusalem. This made the journey safer, as bandits were far less likely to attack such a large group. Given the size of the group Mary and Joseph were not negligent in losing Jesus. They travelled with trusted friends and loved ones. It was not unusual for them to assume he was with others from their village. They likely noticed he was missing when the camp was established for the night after the day's travel.

Luke 2:46-47

three days. Probably the total time to travel one day from Jerusalem, then return to Jerusalem, and a day of searching. sitting . . . listening . . . asking. The position and attitude of a student. Jesus wanted to know more of God's word. He was still growing and learning. Yet even at twelve years of age (v. 42), he still amazed Israel's teachers by his knowledge of God's word and ways.

Luke 2:48

Despite all that they had been told about their son (1:32, 35), Joseph and Mary did not fully understand his identity or mission (v. 50; ). treated us this way? Jesus did not sin against his parents, nor is blame laid at their feet.

Luke 2:49

Did you not know. Not a rebuke of his parents. Jesus simply expected his parents to know where he would be. The Spirit led Jesus to understand his basic identity as God's Son and possibly his role as the Christ (see 4:43; John 5:30; 6:38). Father's business. The temple, which was a place of teaching and learning about the scriptures (see 19:47-48). Unlike the group expressions of God as Father in the Old Testament (1 Chron. 29:10; Isa. 64:8), Jesus uniquely claimed him as my Father.

Luke 2:51

obedient. When specifically asked to leave, Jesus responded as he should with submission to his parents (Exod. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-3). treasured. See note on v. 19.

Luke 2:52

See notes on 1:80; 2:40.

John's Identification of Jesus - Luke 3:1-20

Luke grounded John's ministry in history (3:1-2). He also contrasted John with the political and religious leaders of the day. This showed that his message was meant to confront average people (3:7-14) as well as ruling powers (3:19-20). John's ministry was one of preparation. He pointed beyond himself and made ready the way for the Christ (3:3-6, 15-18).

Luke 3:1

Luke mentioned several prominent figures to ground the narrative in world history. Tiberius Caesar. Reigned as emperor of Rome from A.D. 14 to 37. Prior to that, he served two years as coregent with his predecessor, Caesar Augustus (see note on 2:1). It is hard to tell whether Luke marked the first year of his reign with his time as cogent or his start as Caesar on his own. This makes the date of Tiberius' fifteenth year uncertain. It was sometime between A.D. 26-28. If Jesus was born just prior to Herod's death 4 B.C. (Matt. 2:1-19), this would make Jesus about thirty years old (v. 23). Pontius Pilate. The governor of Judea from A.D. 26-36. The term governor can mean prefect or procurator. He was a prefect. Herod. Herod Antipas was tetrarch over one of three regions in the area previously ruled by his father, Herod the Great. Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee and Perea (4 B.C.–A.D. 39). Philip. Half-brother to Antipas. He ruled the area northeast of the Sea of Galilee (4 B.C.–A.D. 33/34). Luke mentioned Ituraea and Trachonitis but this region also included Batanaea, Auranitis, and Gaulonitis. Lysanias. There were several men named Lysanias who ruled over several decades in Abilene. The exact location is unknown but Abilene could be the region north of Mount Herman which is called Abila.

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