Luke 2:50 Commentary and Bible Study

But, although the words were straightforward enough, and although his parents had enough information to grasp what he was saying, they understood not. They were slow to understand. The basis of their misunderstanding must have been his use of the word ‘Father’. They thought he was speaking about Joseph, when he was speaking about God the Father. They could not relate his remaining in Jerusalem and his being in the temple and all that they had seen him doing there; they could not relate it to the statement that he had to be about his Father’s business, in his Father’s house. It seems that he left them with this answer and did not say any more. He knew that they did not understand, but it would be good for them to learn that everything he said made perfect sense, and his words. Even at the age of twelve, deserved careful attention, and they would have to ponder what he had said.