Luke 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτῆς
his
G846
αὐτῆς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 25
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἦλθεν
came
G2064
ἦλθεν
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
6 of 25
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 25
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῆς
his
G846
αὐτῆς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 25
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μήτηρ
mother
G3384
μήτηρ
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
15 of 25
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτῆς
his
G846
αὐτῆς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 25
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
διετήρει
kept
G1301
διετήρει
kept
Strong's:
G1301
Word #:
17 of 25
to watch thoroughly, i.e., (positively and transitively) to observe strictly, or (negatively and reflexively) to avoid wholly
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥήματα
sayings
G4487
ῥήματα
sayings
Strong's:
G4487
Word #:
20 of 25
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 2:19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.Daniel 7:28Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.Genesis 37:11And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.Mark 6:3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Historical Context
The phrase 'went down' from Jerusalem to Nazareth reflects geographical reality—Jerusalem sits on high elevation, making travel to Galilee literally a descent. Jesus returned to obscurity for 18 more years (ages 12-30), growing up in Joseph's carpentry trade, living as an ordinary village craftsman. This hidden period demonstrates incarnation's fullness—the eternal Son genuinely lived human experience, submitting to parents, learning a trade, participating in community life. His later ministry's power emerged from these years of faithful, humble living.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' submission to Mary and Joseph after the temple incident demonstrate the compatibility of divine identity with genuine humanity?
- What does Jesus' return to 18 years of obscurity teach about the importance of faithful living in hidden, ordinary circumstances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus 'went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them.' Despite His divine identity and temple incident, Jesus submitted to His parents' authority. The Greek 'hypotassomenos' (ὑποτασσόμενος, was subject/submissive) indicates continuous voluntary submission. This demonstrates Jesus' full humanity and His perfect obedience to the law, including the fifth commandment to honor parents. His submission doesn't contradict His divine mission but fulfills it—the Son must learn obedience (Hebrews 5:8) and perfectly keep the law He came to fulfill.