Luke 2:48 Commentary and Bible Study

The very words of Mary are quoted, and so we know that this report originally came from her. Perhaps it came directly to Luke from her. It is obvious to Joseph and Mary that he has made no effort to find them, to warn them that he has stayed behind in Jerusalem, or to tell them where he is to be found. He has in fact expected them to know this because of the revelation they have already received at his birth. They are acting and Mary speaks as if they had forgotten all this. His parents see what is happening and perhaps watch for a while before Mary speaks to him. At any rate they are made aware of the astonishment of the doctors of the law at his advanced questions and answers, and they are amazed not just that he is there in the temple and has not told him, but at what is going on there. But Mary is aggrieved. ‘Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.’ He has never done this before, but she accuses him of causing them needless sorrow and anxiety over his whereabouts and safety. Doesn’t it matter to him that they have been in this anxious state? But there is a lesson for her and Joseph, and they are going to have to receive this lesson from their own child.