Luke 2:48

When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — His parents locate Jesus in Jerusalem after three days, and His mother addresses Him directly. (Luke 2:48)

The words — The Greek ἐξεπλάγησαν (exeplagēsan) means they were astonished, while εἶπεν (eipen) records His mother asking, “Child, why have You done this to us?”

The thread — The account parallels the immediate reply in Luke 2:49, where Jesus points to His Father’s house, and stands apart from Matthew 12:46, where His family waits outside seeking to speak with Him.

Why it lands — The text records parental distress and divine obligation side by side, demanding that readers acknowledge the priority of God’s calling over human expectations.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

Cross-references

Matthew 12:46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him.
Luke 2:49 “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”
Luke 3:23 Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,
Luke 4:22 All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they asked.