New Testament · Luke 2:41–52
Jesus as a Boy at the Temple — Bible Story for Kids
When Jesus was twelve, he stayed behind at the temple in Jerusalem. His parents found him there, listening to the teachers and asking questions.
This is a retelling for children, written by BibleKenya from the Bible passages shown on each picture. It is not a Bible translation.
Every year, ' family went to Jerusalem for the feast. When Jesus was twelve, he went too.
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem at the feast of the . When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem as usual.
When the feast was over, his parents started home. They thought was with their friends, but he was not! They went back to look for him.
When the feast was over, stayed behind in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know. Thinking he was in their group of travellers, they went a day's journey, then looked for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem.
After three days they found him in the , sitting with the teachers, listening and asking questions. Everyone was amazed at his answers.
After three days they found him in the , sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
said, "Son, we were worried!" said, "Didn't you know I must be in my Father's house?"
His mother said, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Your father and I were anxiously looking for you." He said, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" They did not understand what he said.
went home with them and obeyed them. He grew taller and wiser, and God and people loved him.
He went down with them to Nazareth and was subject to them. His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. increased in and stature, and in favour with God and men.
Bible explorer This is the only story in the Gospels from Jesus' childhood after his infancy.
The end of the story
Read it in the Bible
This is the Bible text itself, from the version shown. Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
Luke 2:41–52 WEB
41His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast; 43and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, 44but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.” 49He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Who is in the story?
Words to learn
- Passover
- Passover is a special meal to remember how God rescued his people from Egypt. They put a lamb's blood on their doors and God passed over their houses.
- Temple
- The temple was God's house in Jerusalem, where people came to worship. When Jesus was twelve, his parents found him in the temple.
- Wisdom
- Wisdom means knowing the right thing to do. When God asked Solomon what he wanted, Solomon asked for wisdom.
What can we learn from this passage?
Jesus knew that God was his Father. He also went home and obeyed his parents, growing in wisdom as well as in height. Luke 2:49Luke 2:51–52