36 And there was a (A)prophetess, [a]Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of (B)the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in [b]years (C)and had lived with her husband for seven years after her [c]marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the temple grounds, serving night and day with (D)fasts and prayers. 38 And at that very [d]moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak about Him to all those who were (E)looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Return to Nazareth

39 And when His parents had completed everything in accordance with the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to (F)their own city of Nazareth. 40 (G)Now the Child continued to grow and to become strong, [e]increasing in wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.

Visit to Jerusalem

41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at (H)the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the feast; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the (I)full number of days required, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it. 44 Instead, they thought that He was somewhere in the caravan, and they went a day’s journey; and then they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 And 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 (J)were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and (K)His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, (L)Your father and I have 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 (M)I had to be in My Father’s [f]house?” 50 And yet (N)they on their part did not understand the statement which He had [g]made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to (O)Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them; and (P)His mother (Q)treasured all these [h]things in her heart.

52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and [i]stature, and in (R)favor with God and people.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 2:36 Or Hannah
  2. Luke 2:36 Lit days
  3. Luke 2:36 Lit virginity
  4. Luke 2:38 Lit hour
  5. Luke 2:40 Lit becoming full of
  6. Luke 2:49 Or affairs; or business; lit in the things of My Father
  7. Luke 2:50 Lit spoken
  8. Luke 2:51 Lit words
  9. Luke 2:52 Or age

A widow is to be (A)put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been (B)the wife of one man,

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namely, (A)if any man is beyond reproach, the (B)husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of (C)indecent behavior or (D)rebellion.

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