Luke 2:44
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
Original Language Analysis
νομίσαντες
they supposing
G3543
νομίσαντες
they supposing
Strong's:
G3543
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to do by law (usage), i.e., to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνοδίᾳ
the company
G4923
συνοδίᾳ
the company
Strong's:
G4923
Word #:
6 of 20
companionship on a journey, i.e., (by implication), a caravan
ἦλθον
went
G2064
ἦλθον
went
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
8 of 20
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἡμέρας
a day's
G2250
ἡμέρας
a day's
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
9 of 20
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ὁδὸν
journey
G3598
ὁδὸν
journey
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
10 of 20
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συγγενέσιν
their kinsfolk
G4773
συγγενέσιν
their kinsfolk
Strong's:
G4773
Word #:
16 of 20
a relative (by blood); by extension, a fellow countryman
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
Pilgrimage caravans consisted of extended families and community members traveling together. Children and women often walked separately from men, making it reasonable for parents not to see their son during a day's journey. The discovery of His absence would have created significant anxiety given travel dangers.
Questions for Reflection
- How should parents respond when facing unexpected crises with their children?
- What does this teach about the limitations of even godly parenting?
- How can reasonable assumptions prove mistaken, requiring course correction?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The parents 'supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey' shows reasonable assumption that proved mistaken. Large pilgrimage groups made it logical to expect Jesus among relatives and acquaintances. Their 'seeking him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance' demonstrates thorough search when He wasn't found. This detail emphasizes their growing alarm and the genuineness of the crisis. That they traveled a full day before discovering His absence shows the pilgrimage group's size and their trust in community care. The incident teaches that even godly parents can make incorrect assumptions and face unexpected crises with their children. Mary and Joseph's experience models appropriate response when children are missing.