Luke 2:51Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He honored a human figure, a servant—indeed, she proclaimed: “Behold, the Servant of the Lord” (Luke 1:38)—and rendered honor to an earthly father: should we be surprised that He offers reverence to God? Does submission to man display love, while submission to God illustrates weakness? At the very least, from the dynamics of human relationships, we ought to learn to give reverence to the divine and recognize the love appropriate for the Father. The Father honors the Son—should you not desire for the Son to exalt the Father? (cf. John 8:54, John 13:31-32, John 17:1-5, Acts 3:13) The Father proclaims His affirmation of the Son with a voice from heaven (cf. Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22)—should we not want the Son, wearing the garment of human flesh, to declare the Father’s greatness in a human voice (cf. John 14:28)? If the Lord is indeed great and worthy of all praise, without any bounds to His magnificence (Psalm 144:3), it is plain that infinite greatness cannot become greater. Why should I not, with reverent attention, acknowledge that the Son, having assumed human form, obeys the Father, if I faithfully acknowledge that the Father honors the Son? Strive to understand the commandments that are beneficial to you, and take the example of filial devotion to heart. Learn to honor your parents, recognizing that the Son is not separate from the Father, in will, action, or time; though they exist in two Persons, they are united in authority (cf. John 10:30). The heavenly Father did not endure labor pains, yet your birth cost your mother her modesty, virginity, and safety during childbirth. Labor is prolonged for the mother, and sorrow is prolonged as well. For her, the fulfillment of her hopes brings greater distress; while she is relieved from the pain of childbirth with the arrival of her child, she is not freed from anxiety. And what can be said of fathers who invest in the wellbeing and upbringing of their children, who increase their possessions for the benefit of others, like seeds sown by a farmer for the sake of future generations? Do parents not merit at least this degree of obedience? Why should an ungrateful son find his father's life burdensome and the shared property a weight, while Christ Himself regards us as co-heirs?

Notes: * According to Professor Nesmelov, it is hard to believe that Joseph and Mary forgot the extraordinary events that surrounded Jesus' birth; however, it is equally hard to assume they fully comprehended God's plan for salvation in accordance with the Christian understanding. They had faith in Jesus' Messianic role, but their perception was shaped by the expectations of the Jewish people. Thus, it is understandable that the twelve-year-old Boy, who contemplated divine matters rather than political affairs, was seen by Mary and Joseph as something different from what they initially envisioned; this explains their confusion regarding His remarks about His Father’s house and mission.

This interval represented a silent time of growth and development for Jesus, maturing into the perfect man He was destined to be, marked notably by His visit to the temple where His divinity was revealed. As the God-man, who embodied all the perfections of both body and spirit, He ‘excelled in wisdom and stature, and in love with God and men.’ He embraced the normal human experience, irrespective of His divine nature, working alongside His earthly father in the trade of carpentry (Mark 6:3), thereby teaching us the essential lesson that no level of human achievement absolves one from the duty of hard work. He maintained close relationships with the family of His aunt Mary, married to Alpheus or Cleopas, and their many children. Following the death of their father, this family likely became part of Joseph's household, and after his passing, both widows continued living together, resulting in a close-knit community where the children were regarded as siblings, as noted in the Gospel (Matthew 13:55-56, Mark 6:3). Among these siblings, Christ was raised, yet the Evangelists have maintained a veil of silence over this extensive period. Thus, it is prudent not to pursue this divine mystery with mere curiosity but to focus on the significant external events occurring during this time. Crucial developments unfolded in the history of Israel, restructuring its political landscape and paving the way for the coming of the Messiah for humanity’s salvation.

The years of Christ's concealed existence in Nazareth unfolded amidst these circumstances. The events taking place in both Galilee and Judea would have certainly been topics of discussion in the streets and marketplaces, centers of information and gossip in the East, affecting the hearts of the people. The impact of these events on the growing spirit of the God-man remains uncertain (Lk. 2:40), yet His subsequent dialogues indicate a clear awareness of the political happenings of His era (Lk. 19:12). However, the primary preparation for His ministry was essential to fulfill His Father’s will, and these silent years can be viewed as a time of invisible accomplishment for His sacred soul. It is likely that He was also saddened by the trials of humanity and the prolonged reign of injustice surrounding Him. Still, He patiently awaited the appointed time until ‘His hour cometh.’ His existence in Nazareth was so humble that even Nathanael, residing only a short distance away in Cana, remained unaware of Him until He began His public ministry, while His peers could not conceive that the Jesus they recognized held greater depths than that of a typical young carpenter. Yet, in the midst of this detachment from worldly affairs, these years were instrumental in equipping Him to undertake the momentous task of saving mankind assigned by His heavenly Father. These unremarked years of Christ's sequestered life impart a lesson that the essence of life extends beyond mere activity; it resides in a serene realm of love and duty towards God and fellow humanity. The truest joys of existence are often found not in the clamor and splendor of societal endeavors but rather in the peace that allows the splendor of heaven to be mirrored in a spirit that remains undisturbed by worldly temptations.

It is not astonishing that, due to this willingness to serve, He participated in the work of His earthly father, the carpenter; it was customary for Jewish families at that time to teach their children a vocation, and this held no disgrace for the Lord. - "His mother treasured all these things in her heart": this occasion was especially significant for her, stirring numerous reflections within her; it was the day when her Son first revealed glimpses of the extraordinary future that awaited Him, confirmed by the divine revelations she had received. This day served as a sign for her, affirming the remarkable purpose of her Son.

The breathtaking views from the hill where Nazareth is located are stunning. To the north, one can see Mount Hermon with its snow-capped summit; to the east lies Mount Tabor, known for its distinctive shape and serene setting; to the west, one observes the sandy coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, with the silhouette of Mount Carmel visible in the distance; and to the south, the lush Ezdrelon Valley extends beyond the Helvu mountains. Scattered throughout this expansive region are towns and villages nestled among the mountains and valleys of Palestine. This area, once often invaded by various empires, now rests in tranquility, as if anticipating forthcoming events. The mild climate, combined with the natural beauty of the Galilean landscape, renders Nazareth, aptly called the "city of flowers," an inviting place to live.

Here, amidst the simplicity of rural life, Jesus Christ spent His childhood and youth, His divine mystery so concealed that even Nathanael from nearby Cana was unaware of Him when Philip announced he had found the Messiah (John 1:45). These years were marked by innocence, sinless adolescence, and a blameless youth spent in humility, obedience, and hard work, serving as an ongoing example for humanity. The magnificent and impactful works of Jesus during His public ministry are paralleled by the lessons learned in His silence and solitude in Nazareth; these moments reflect our own limitations and serve as a model for imitation. By embracing human nature in all its attributes—apart from sin—the Son of God humbled Himself to develop fully as a human being both spiritually and physically.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria elucidates the evangelist's words by noting that it is inherent to human beings to strive for excellence. Yet, the Son of God, being perfect in the Father, humbled Himself for our benefit, allowing us to grow through His humility. Since He is the Word, who lacks nothing, He does not seek to surpass but instead empowers others to excel in wisdom. The Holy Father further explains that the Evangelist also included a reference to age, recognizing that the divine is not measured by age, which pertains to physical beings, hence excellence relates to the body. The Godhead’s manifestation in Him excelled before those who beheld Him. As His human body matured, so too did the visible manifestation of the divine, revealing that He was indeed God's temple, embodying the fullness of the Godhead in the child, youth, and man Jesus (Col. 2:9).

During His life, even while growing in humanity, the full divine nature remained within Him but would express itself more clearly as He approached the peak of human maturity, reminiscent of how the sun shines and warms differently at various times of day. In unity with God the Father (John 10:30), Jesus did not require external teaching; rather, the complete understanding of His Father’s will was inherently within Him (6:38; 8:26, 28; 12:49). His early education in reading and writing likely came from His immaculate mother, as He was known to comprehend the Hebrew alphabet (Matt. 5:18) and was adept at writing (John 8:6). His familiarity with the Scriptures stemmed from attending synagogue services on the Sabbath, as noted in Luke 4:16, where He took part in the congregation.

The entirety of the Old Testament, encompassing the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms (24:44), was known to Him, and He frequently referenced this in His teachings, citing texts from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Joel, Malachi, and the Psalms. He mentioned significant events and figures from the Old Testament, including circumcision, the bronze serpent, manna, Abel, Noah, Abraham, Lot, Moses, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, and Jonah.

The common language spoken by Jesus during His ministry in Palestine was likely Aramaic or Syro-Chaldean. However, He also quoted the Hebrew Scriptures directly. While conversing with the centurion (Matt. 8:5-13), Greeks desiring to see Him (John 12:21), and Pilate (Matt. 27:11; John 18:33), it is probable that Hebrew was utilized as well as Greek, a language prevalent in Mediterranean regions at that time.

The natural world, a book of wisdom accessible to all, was a keen observation for the young Jesus. He often drew from this familiar source to communicate the profound truths of the gospel effectively. Elements such as the sky, clouds, storms, animals, birds, trees, flowers, and pearls featured prominently in His teachings aimed at moral upliftment. He also had a keen awareness of the domestic and social lives of His contemporaries, which the Divine Teacher masterfully integrated into His explanation of Gospel truths. The customs of households, lost coins, treasures, fields, harvests, and parables of brothers and neighbors described vivid images of everyday life.

These events and experiences occurred during the years of growth and spiritual fortification Jesus spent in Nazareth, preparing Him for His eventual ministry. The home of Joseph, while humble and akin to those of the poorer classes in the East, was characterized not by material wealth but by the priceless virtues of its inhabitants and eternally honored by the presence of the God-man. It thrived with true piety, purity, and profound peace, nurtured through honest labor. Joseph, a righteous man, worked as a carpenter (Matt. 13:55), while the Blessed Mother engaged in activities such as crafting the chiton, Jesus' garment, which was so skillfully made that soldiers refrained from tearing it apart during the crucifixion (John 19:23-24).

Jesus adhered to the disciplines of obedience to His earthly parents and assisted Joseph in his trade, earning recognition not just as the carpenter's son (Matthew 13:55) but as a carpenter in His own right (Mark 6:3). This was a formative era of obedience, humility, patience, and labor within the serene landscape of a small town surrounded by verdant fields and towering mountains. It was not a schooling ground for scribes and Pharisees who misinterpreted the law, nor a rabbinic institution where truth was obscured by convoluted traditions. Although later acknowledged as Rabbi by disciples and even by the Pharisees, this designation stemmed from His role as the leader of the spiritual community He founded, not from formal schooling.

In teaching with authority, He diverged sharply from the practices of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt. 7:29; Mk. 1:22), eliciting admiration even from His adversaries: "Never has a man spoken like this!" (Jn. 7:46). He challenged the prevailing interpretations of the lawyers who held the authority of Moses (Matt. 23:2), reproaching their hypocrisies and shortcomings in understanding, illustrating that His mission was to fulfill the law (Matt. 5:17) and provide a higher spiritual comprehension of its meaning (Matt. 20-41). He drew no insights from contemporary teachers and had no connections with those who broke the law, like the scribes and Pharisees who overlooked essential commandments (Mt. 23:23) and distorted God’s word (Mk. 7:13).

In astonishment, the Jewish people recognized that He was untrained and questioned, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?" (John 7:15), inquiring about the source of His wisdom (Mark 6:2). Jesus declared about Himself: "The one who sent Me is true, and I speak to the world what I have heard from Him" (John 8:26); "I do nothing on My own, but speak just what the Father has taught Me" (John 8:28).

The revelation Jesus Christ presented is rooted in the profound mystery of the Triune God. To share this revelation and render it comprehensible to humanity, He referred to the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament, nature, and life, emphasizing the singular purpose of His mission on Earth: the salvation of all people.