After Joseph and Mary had done
all that the law commanded, they returned to Galilee to their own
town of Nazareth. And the boy Jesus grew and became strong in body
and mind. And the blessing of God was upon him.
Now his parents went every year to Jerusalem to the Feast of the
Passover, and when he was twelve years old they went up as usual.
After they had stayed the full number of days and were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know
this; but, supposing him to be in the caravan, they travelled on for
a whole day. Then they searched for him among their relatives and
friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem,
still looking for him. After three days they found him in the
Temple, sitting with the teachers, listening to them and asking them
questions. All who heard him were amazed at his intelligence and his
answers.
When his parents saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said
to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I
have been anxiously looking for you." He said to them, "Why did you
look for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
But they did not understand what he meant.
Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth; and he was
obedient to them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her
heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and body and in favor with God and
man.