Luke 2:49
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he said to them, How is it that you sought me? knew you not that I must be about my Father's business?
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he said to them, How is it that you sought me? knew you not that I must be about my Father's business?
American Standard Version (ASV)
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he said to them, Why were you looking for me? was it not clear to you that my right place was in my Father's house?
Webster's Revision
And he said to them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
World English Bible
He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"
English Revised Version (ERV)
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be in my Father's house?
Definitions for Luke 2:49
Clarke's Luke 2:49 Bible Commentary
How is it that ye sought me? - Is not this intended as a gentle reproof? Why had ye me to seek? Ye should not have left my company, when ye knew I am constantly employed in performing the will of the Most High.
My Father's business? - Εν τοις του πατρος μου, My Father's concerns. Some think that these words should be translated, In my Father's house; which was a reason that they should have sought him in the temple only. As if he had said, Where should a child be found, but in his father's house? This translation is defended by Grotius, Pearce, and others; and is the reading of the Syriac, later Persic, and Armenian versions. Our Lord took this opportunity to instruct Joseph and Mary concerning his Divine nature and mission. My Father's concerns. This saying, one would think, could not have been easily misunderstood. It shows at once that he came down from heaven. Joseph had no concerns in the temple; and yet we find they did not fully comprehend it. How slow of heart is man to credit any thing that comes from God!
Barnes's Luke 2:49 Bible Commentary
How is it ... - "Why" have ye sought me with so much anxiety? "Mary" should have known that the Son of God was safe; that his heavenly Father would take care of him, and that he could do nothing amiss.
Wist ye not - "Know ye not." You had reason to know. You knew my design in coming into the world, and that design was "superior" to the duty of obeying earthly parents, and they should be willing always to give me up to the proper business for which Ilive.
My Father's business - Some think that this should be translated "in my Father's house" - that is, in the temple. Jesus reminded them here that he came down from heaven; that he had a higher Father than an earthly parent; and that, even in early life, it was proper that he should be engaged in the work for which he came. He did not enter, indeed, upon his public work for eighteen years after this; yet still the work of God was "his" work, and always, even in childhood, it was proper for him to be engaged in the great business for which he came down from heaven.
Wesley's Luke 2:49 Bible Commentary
2:49 Why sought ye me? - He does not blame them for losing, but for thinking it needful to seek him: and intimates, that he could not be lost, nor found any where, but doing the will of a higher parent.
