When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him.
Parallel translations
- KJV And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
- BSB When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.
- NKJV So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
- NASB And when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for Him.
- NLT When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Not finding Him, they return to Jerusalem to search. It matters because it underscores their anxious diligence in seeking Jesus.
Overview
When the parents fail to find Jesus among the company, they turn back to Jerusalem to look for Him. Their persistent search reflects deep parental concern. The narrative builds toward the surprising place and manner in which they will at last find their son.
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 2:45 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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