Luke 2:51
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Greek word used for Jesus being "subject" implies a continuous, willing obedience, not a forced one. Mary's treasuring of these events highlights her persistent faith, holding onto what she didn't fully grasp, trusting that God's purposes would unfold.
Fresh from the profound experience in the temple at age twelve, Jesus returns to Nazareth with his parents, Joseph and Mary. For the next eighteen years, the Gospels are silent, revealing only that he lived a life of humble obedience. This period, marked by his subjection to his earthly parents and likely participation in Joseph's carpentry trade, concludes just before his public ministry begins.
Jesus, the Son of God, choosing to obey His earthly parents – why is this so significant?
This verse highlights Jesus' profound obedience, even when it might seem unnecessary or unexpected.
A Choice for Humility
While He was God, Jesus also fully embraced His humanity. This meant living under the authority of His parents, Joseph and Mary. The Greek word used for 'was subject' (hypotassomenos) suggests a continuous, willing submission, not a forced one. Even though He possessed divine wisdom and was God Himself, He chose to live within the framework of human family life and its expectations.
Honoring Authority
Jesus' example here teaches us a vital lesson: true godliness isn't about escaping earthly responsibilities, but about honoring them. He shows that even the highest among us must be submissive to rightful authority, setting a pattern for all children and demonstrating that obedience is a virtue, not a sign of weakness. This was a crucial part of His mission to fulfill all righteousness.
Mary didn't fully understand everything about Jesus, yet she held onto crucial moments. What can we learn from her response?
Mary's reaction to Jesus' actions and words, particularly after the incident in the Temple, reveals a deep faith and a unique role.
A Mother's Wonder
While Jesus was growing in wisdom and stature, Mary was also growing in her understanding of who He was. The phrase 'treasured up all these things in her heart' (or 'kept all these sayings') suggests a deliberate and continuous act of contemplation. She didn't dismiss confusing or extraordinary events but pondered them, holding them close.
Faith Amidst Mystery
This wasn't passive remembering; it was an active engagement with divine mystery. Mary’s faithfulness wasn't based on complete comprehension but on trusting God's promises and His Son, even when the full picture wasn't clear. She lived with a deep sense of awe, waiting for God to reveal more of His plan through Jesus.
Understand the original words
hypotassomenos · Greek Participle
A Greek term implying a voluntary, active, and ordered submission to authority. In a family context, it reflects the honor and obedience due to parents, modeling the attitude of the Son toward the Father.
kardia · Greek Noun
In biblical usage, the heart is the center of the human personality, encompassing the intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. It is the seat of decision-making and where one reflects upon the works of God.
This passage marks the transition from Jesus' infancy to his young adulthood, highlighting his voluntary submission to earthly parents and the quiet preservation of divine mysteries by his mother, setting the stage for his later public life.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33— this verse
Jesus' early life in Nazareth
Jesus spent his formative years in the obscure Galilean town of Nazareth, living a humble life with his mother Mary, Joseph (until his probable death), and likely other siblings. This period involved learning a trade, likely carpentry, and submitting to his parents.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 18
Joseph's probable death
Though not explicitly mentioned, Joseph likely died during Jesus' youth or early adulthood, leaving Mary a widow. This would have placed Jesus in a position of greater responsibility for his mother and family.
c. AD 27/28
John the Baptist begins ministry
John the Baptist started preaching a message of repentance and baptizing people in the wilderness, preparing the way for Jesus' public ministry.
c. AD 28/29
Jesus' baptism and temptation
Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, after which he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days.
This passage directly echoes the self-emptying and servant-like nature described in Jesus' subjection to his earthly parents, highlighting His voluntary humility.
Isaiah 53:3This prophecy speaks of the 'Man of Sorrows' being despised and rejected, which resonates with Jesus' humble upbringing in obscure Nazareth, a life often unseen and unacknowledged by the world.
1 Samuel 2:26This verse speaks of young Samuel growing in favor with God and man, paralleling Jesus' growth in wisdom and stature, and His favor with both His heavenly and earthly relationships.
Genesis 37:11This verse describes Joseph treasuring up a matter in his heart, which directly parallels Mary's action of 'treasuring up' events and words concerning Jesus, suggesting a deep and thoughtful reflection on divine mysteries.
Romans 12:1Paul's call to present our bodies as a living sacrifice is exemplified by Jesus' willing submission to His parents and His earthly life, offering His very being in obedience to God's will.
bensonLuke 2:51: "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart."
Luke 2:51 . And he went down with them to Nazareth — That he might not seem to encourage disobedience in children, by withdrawing himself in that weak age from under the government of his parents, he very willingly retired with them into the obscure city of Nazareth, where for many years he was, as it were, buried alive. Doubtless he came up to Jerusalem…
vincentLuke 2:51: "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart."
Was subject (ἦν ὑποτασσόμενος)The participle and finite verb, denoting habitual, continuous subjection. "Even before, he had been subject to them; but this is mentioned now, when it might seem that he could by this time have exempted himself. Not even to the angels fell such an honor as to the parents of Jesus" (Bengel). Compare Hebrews 1:4-8.Kept (δι…
The Greek word used for Jesus being "subject" implies a continuous, willing obedience, not a forced one. Mary's treasuring of these events highlights her persistent faith, holding onto what she didn't fully grasp, trusting that God's purposes would unfold.
Fresh from the profound experience in the temple at age twelve, Jesus returns to Nazareth with his parents, Joseph and Mary. For the next eighteen years, the Gospels are silent, revealing only that he lived a life of humble obedience. This period, marked by his subjection to his earthly parents and likely participation in Joseph's carpentry trade, concludes just before his public ministry begins.
Fresh from the profound experience in the temple at age twelve, Jesus returns to Nazareth with his parents, Joseph and Mary. For the next eighteen years, the Gospels are silent, revealing only that he lived a life of humble obedience. This period, marked by his subjection to his earthly parents and likely participation in Joseph's carpentry trade, concludes just before his public ministry begins.
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c. AD 29 - c. AD 33
Jesus' public ministry
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and performing miracles, gathering disciples and challenging the religious authorities.
"And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart." — The Greek word used for Jesus being "subject" implies a continuous, willing obedience, not a forced one. Mary's treasuring of these events highlights her persistent faith, holding onto what she didn'…
