Luke 2:40
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to read this verse as simply saying Jesus grew up normally. But notice Luke emphasizes a growing fullness of wisdom and a deepening favor from God, showing that even Jesus, in his human nature, experienced a real, developing relationship with the Father. This highlights the genuine humanity of Christ and offers a profound picture of how we too can grow in our understanding and in God's delight.
This verse offers a rare glimpse into Jesus' childhood, summarizing His development over twelve quiet years. It emphasizes His very real human growth, not just physically but also intellectually and spiritually, showing He learned and matured like any child. The text highlights that God's favor rested upon Him throughout this formative period, setting the stage for His public ministry.
We often think of 'growing up' as just getting taller. But Luke describes Jesus' development in a way that's richer and deeper.
Luke 2:40 tells us Jesus 'grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.' This isn't just about physical maturation.
Growing in Body and Spirit
Luke emphasizes that Jesus' development was holistic. He grew physically, as any child does. But he also 'waxed strong in spirit.' This points to the strengthening of his inner self – his mind, his understanding, his character. It was a complete human development.
Wisdom Flowing from God
The text says he was 'filled with wisdom.' This wisdom wasn't just learned knowledge; it was a divine enablement, growing as his human capacity developed. While Jesus was fully God, he also experienced genuine human growth, with his divine nature enriching his human one.
The verse ends with a profound statement about God's pleasure in Jesus. What does it mean for God's favor to be 'upon' someone?
Luke 2:40 concludes, 'And the favor of God was upon him.' This highlights a crucial aspect of Jesus' humanity – he was the object of God's special delight and approval.
God's Approval, Not Earned Merit
While Jesus was perfect and sinless, the 'favor' mentioned here isn't about earning points. For Jesus, as the perfect Son, it signifies the Father's inherent pleasure and affirmation of Him. For us, this concept points to the unmerited grace God extends, which leads to His favor resting on us through Christ.
A Foundation for Ministry
This divine favor wasn't just a passive state; it was the very foundation upon which Jesus' public ministry would be built. It signified God's empowerment and blessing on His Son, preparing Him for the work He was sent to do.
Understand the original words
sophia · Greek Noun
The ability to perceive reality from God’s perspective and to apply spiritual truth to life. It is rooted in the fear of the Lord and is demonstrated through godly conduct and decision-making.
charis · Greek Noun
The gracious, unmerited approval, kindness, or enabling power of God bestowed upon an individual. It signifies God's active, benevolent presence directing and blessing a person’s life.
This passage describes David as 'skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in business, and handsome.' It parallels Jesus's growth in being strong and wise, highlighting a natural, developing maturity that was pleasing to God.
Psalm 22:10The Psalmist declares, 'Upon you I have been cast ever since from the womb; you are my God from my mother's belly.' This verse speaks to an innate connection and reliance on God from birth, reflecting the deep, inherent favor and wisdom of the child Jesus.
Proverbs 3:13-18These verses speak of the immense value and benefits of finding wisdom and understanding, stating that 'Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace,' and that 'she is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.' This echoes the description of Jesus being 'filled with wisdom' and God's favor resting upon Him.
Isaiah 11:2This prophecy describes the Spirit of the Lord resting on the coming shoot from the stump of Jesse, with 'the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.' This directly foreshadows the fullness of wisdom and divine empowerment evident in the growing child Jesus.
Luke 1:80clarkeLuke 2:40: "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."
The child grew - As to his body - being in perfect health. Waxed strong in spirit - His rational soul became strong and vigorous. Filled with wisdom - The divinity continuing to communicate itself more and more, in proportion to the increase of the rational principle. The reader should never forget that Jesus was perfect man, as well as God. And the grace of God was upon him - The…
meyerLuke 2:40: "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."
Luke 2:40 . Similar to Luke 1:80 , but more distinctive and more characteristic, in keeping with the human development of the Song of Solomon of God , who was to grow up to be the organ of truth and grace . Comp. Luke 2:52 . πληρούμ . σοφ .] the internal state of things accompanying the ἐκραταιοῦτο ; He became a vigorous child ( ἐκρατ .[58]), while at the same time He became fille…
It's easy to read this verse as simply saying Jesus grew up normally. But notice Luke emphasizes a growing fullness of wisdom and a deepening favor from God, showing that even Jesus, in his human nature, experienced a real, developing relationship with the Father. This highlights the genuine humanity of Christ and offers a profound picture of how we too can grow in our understanding and in God's delight.
This verse offers a rare glimpse into Jesus' childhood, summarizing His development over twelve quiet years. It emphasizes His very real human growth, not just physically but also intellectually and spiritually, showing He learned and matured like any child. The text highlights that God's favor rested upon Him throughout this formative period, setting the stage for His public ministry.
This verse offers a rare glimpse into Jesus' childhood, summarizing His development over twelve quiet years. It emphasizes His very real human growth, not just physically but also intellectually and spiritually, showing He learned and matured like any child. The text highlights that God's favor rested upon Him throughout this formative period, setting the stage for His public ministry.
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This verse describes John the Baptist growing and becoming strong in spirit and being in the wilderness until the day of his appearing to Israel. It provides a parallel to Jesus's development, showing that both figures experienced spiritual growth, though Jesus is further characterized by being 'filled with wisdom' and God's favor.
"And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him." — It's easy to read this verse as simply saying Jesus grew up normally. But notice Luke emphasizes a growing fullness of wisdom and a deepening favor from God, showing that even Jesus, in his human…
