Jesus remained to teach wise and learned in temple
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"When Jesus was but twelve years old, He went to Jerusalem with His parents to take part in the Passover celebration," said President Howard W. Hunter of the Council of the Twelve in his April 1985 general conference address.
"Luke's account tells us that Jesus remained behind in the temple after His parents had departed for home. They returned with fear and anxiety to find Him among the doctors of the law `both hearing them, and asking them questions.' (Luke 2:46.) Luke records that all who `heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.' (Luke 2:47.)"Could it have been possible that Jesus was teaching these older and formally trained men about the meaning of the Passover just celebrated? Would it have surprised them that one so young and seemingly inexperienced would have known so much about the meaning of that fateful night in Egypt so long ago and so far away? Would they have been amazed at His knowledge of the lamb and the blood and the firstborn and the sacrifice? The scriptures are silent on such questions."
The scriptures are also silent on the 18 years after Jesus returned from Jerusalem to Nazareth after that Passover. (See article, "Never such as youth as Jesus" on this page.) Until He was about 30, Jesus lived in Nazareth. In accordance with the custom of identifying persons by the names of their home towns, He came to be known generally as Jesus of Nazareth, and also was referred to as a Nazarene, or native of Nazareth.
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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: Jesus the Christ, by Elder James E. Talmage, and general conference reports, October 1982 and April 1985.
