Luke 2:47 · Clearspring

Your notes

Private to you. Anything you write on this verse, here or while reading, shows up here and in My study.

Other translations

WEBBE

All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

BSB

And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.

KJV

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

ASV

and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

BBE

And all to whose ears it came were full of wonder at his knowledge and the answers which he gave.

Original Greek

Look up a word

Tap a word to see what it means and everywhere else it's used.

ἐξίσταντο existanto Were amazed G1839 δὲ de then G1161 πάντες pantes all G3956 οἱ hoi those G3588 ἀκούοντες akouontes hearing G191 αὐτοῦ autou Him G846 ἐπὶ epi at G1909 τῇ tēa the G3588 συνέσει sunesei understanding G4907 καὶ kai and G2532 ταῖς tais at the G3588 ἀποκρίσεσιν apokrisesin answers G612 αὐτοῦ autou of Him G846

The early church

(sup. Joh. Hom. 20.) The Lord truly did no miracle in His childhood, yet this one fact St. Luke mentions, which made men look with wonder upon Him.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

For from His tongue there went forth divine wisdom, while His age exhibited man's helplessness, and hence the Jews, amid the high things they hear and the lowly things they see, are perplexed with doubts and astonishment. But we can in no wise wonder, knowing the words of the Prophet, that thus unto us a Child is born, that He abideth the mighty God. (Is. 9:6.)

Bede · d. 735Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Because moreover He was the Son of God, He is found in the midst of the doctors, enlightening and instructing them. But because He was a little child, He is found among them not teaching but asking questions, as it is said, Sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And this He did as a duty of reverence, that He might set us an example of the proper behaviour of children, though they be wise and learned, rather to hear their masters than teach them, and not to vaunt themselves with empty boasting. But He asked not that He might learn, but that asking He might instruct. For from the same source of learning is derived both the power of asking and answering wisely, as it follows, All who heard him were astonished at his wisdom.

Origen of Alexandria · d. 253Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

(cont. Hær. l. ii. hær. 31.) Let Ebion know that at twelve years old, not thirty, Christ is found the astonishment of all men, wonderful and mighty in the words of grace. We can not therefore say, that after that the Spirit came to Him in Baptism He was made the Christ, that is, anointed with divinity, but from His very childhood He acknowledged both the temple and His Father.

Epiphanius of Salamis · d. 403Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

(Metaphrastes vel Geometer.) He asks questions with reason, He listens with wisdom, and answers with more wisdom, so as to cause astonishment. As it follows, And they who saw it were astonished.

Ancient Greek Expositor · d. 1274Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 41–52

It is for the honour of Christ that children should attend on public worship. His parents did not return till they had stayed all the seven days of the feast. It is well to stay to the end of an ordinance, as becomes those who say, It is good to be here. Those that have lost their comforts in Christ, and the evidences of their having a part in him, must bethink themselves where, and when, and how they lost them, and must turn back again. Those that would recover their lost acquaintance with Christ, must go to the place in which he has put his name; there they may hope to meet him. They found him in some part of the temple, where the doctors of the law kept their schools; he was sitting there, hearkening to their instructions, proposing questions, and answering inquiries, with such wisdom, that those who heard were delighted with him. Young persons should seek the knowledge of Divine truth, attend the ministry of the gospel, and ask such questions of their elders and teachers as may tend to increase their knowledge. Those who seek Christ in sorrow, shall find him with the greater joy. Know ye not that I ought to be in my Father's house; at my Father's work; I must be about my Father's business. Herein is an example; for it becomes the children of God, in conformity to Christ, to attend their heavenly Father's business, and make all other concerns give way to it. Though he was the Son of God, yet he was subject to his earthly parents; how then will the foolish and weak sons of men answer it, who are disobedient to their parents? However we may neglect men's sayings, because they are obscure, yet we must not think so of God's sayings. That which at first is dark, may afterwards become plain and easy. The greatest and wisest, those most eminent, may learn of this admirable and Divine Child, that it is the truest greatness of soul to know our own place and office; to deny ourselves amusements and pleasures not consistent with our state and calling.

Read Matthew Henry on Luke 2 →

Cross-references

8

Topics

Jesus, The Christ Children