Meaning of Luke 2:51

This verse marks a pivotal moment in Jesus' childhood, transitioning from the extraordinary event of His discovery in the Temple to a period of ordinary life and growth. After the Passover festival in Jerusalem, where the twelve-year-old Jesus astonished the religious leaders with His understanding, He returned to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph, willingly submitting to their authority. This act of obedience, though seemingly mundane, underscores a profound theological truth: Jesus, fully God and fully human, embraced the full spectrum of human experience, including the filial duties expected within a family unit. Mary's response, treasuring these events in her heart, highlights the profound wonder and spiritual significance she perceived in her Son's unique nature, even in His developmental years.

Context and Background

The preceding verses (Luke 2:41-50) detail the incident where Jesus, at twelve years of age, remained in Jerusalem after the Passover feast, engaging in discussions with teachers in the Temple. His parents, frantic with worry, eventually found Him, and Mary questioned His actions, to which Jesus responded, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?" This revelation, while understood by Mary and Joseph to some extent, was not fully grasped by them at the time. Luke 2:51-52 then describes Jesus' return to Nazareth and His subsequent growth, stating He "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Verse 51, therefore, bridges the gap between this extraordinary divine revelation and the subsequent period of ordinary human development.

Key Themes and Messages

• Obedience to Human Authority: Jesus, despite His divine nature and awareness of His unique relationship with God, voluntarily subjected Himself to His earthly parents. This demonstrates the importance of respecting and obeying legitimate authority, a principle He would later teach explicitly.
• Incarnational Humility: The verse emphasizes Jesus' full humanity. He did not bypass the developmental stages or familial relationships ordained by God. His obedience signifies His identification with humanity and His willingness to live under the same societal structures.
• Mary's Inner Spiritual Life: Mary's act of "treasuring" these events in her heart reveals her deep spiritual discernment and her ongoing reflection on the divine mysteries surrounding her Son. It suggests a continuous process of understanding and awe.
• The Integration of the Divine and the Ordinary: This verse shows how extraordinary divine events are woven into the fabric of everyday human life. Jesus' return to Nazareth and His obedient submission are not an abdication of His divine purpose but a necessary part of His earthly sojourn.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse offers a model for living. Jesus' obedience to Mary and Joseph teaches the virtue of humility and respect for parents and other authorities. It highlights that spiritual maturity does not negate the importance of earthly responsibilities and relationships. Furthermore, Mary's act of treasuring events encourages believers to reflect deeply on God's dealings in their lives, to ponder His mysteries, and to allow these reflections to shape their understanding and faith. It suggests that God's work is often revealed incrementally, requiring patient contemplation.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event is a crucial part of the Incarnation narrative, demonstrating Jesus' preparation for His public ministry. His submission to earthly parents mirrors His later submission to the Father's will, culminating in His sacrificial death. It aligns with the Old Testament concept of the Messiah being born into a human family and experiencing human life. The emphasis on Mary's reflection also foreshadows the role of women in witnessing and treasuring Christ's life and resurrection.

Analogies

One analogy for Jesus' obedience to Mary and Joseph is that of a skilled craftsman, fully aware of his mastery of the tools and materials, yet still choosing to work under the guidance of a master builder to learn the specific blueprints and techniques of a particular project. He knows the ultimate design, but he submits to the process of construction. Another analogy is a prince, heir to the throne, who nonetheless participates in the training and discipline of the royal guard, learning the practicalities of leadership and service before assuming his full reign.

Relation to Other Verses

• Philippians 2:5-8: This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Jesus' humility and obedience: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
• Luke 2:19: This verse, also referring to Mary, states, "But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." This shows a consistent pattern of Mary's contemplative faith throughout Jesus' life.
• Romans 13:1: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." Jesus' obedience to His parents, who held a God-ordained authority, exemplifies this principle.
• Colossians 3:20: "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord." Jesus' perfect example sets the standard for this command.