Luke 2:41

In His Father's House

41 Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

Luke 2:41 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 2:41

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year
Joseph was obliged to go three times a year, as were all the males in Israel, at the feasts of the passover, pentecost, and tabernacles, ( Deuteronomy 16:16 ) . The first of these is expressed here, at the feast of the passover; but the women were not obliged to go up: for so it is said by the Jews ^F16, (twvr Myvn lv Nxop) , "the passover of women is voluntary", or in their own power; they might go up to the feast, or not, as they pleased. It is indeed said of Hillell, who was now alive, that he obliged the women to the first, but not to a second passover: to which the Karaites object; the account they give is as follows ^F17;

``truly the women were obliged, by the school of Hillell, to the offering of the passover; but if they were hindered from the first passover, the second was in their power; that is, the thing depended upon their will and pleasure, whether they would offer or not, which may be justly wondered at; for why should they be obliged to the, first, and not the second? for behold, as to the obligation of the passover, there is no difference between the first passover, and the second, The sum of the matter is, our wise men, on whom be peace, have determined and say, that there is no obligation but to males, who are arrived to maturity.''

So that this was a voluntary thing in Mary; which discovers her piety and religion, and her great regard to the ordinances and appointments of God.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 T. Hieros. Kiddushin, fol. 61. 3.
F17 Eliahu Adderet, p. 39. apud Trigland. de Sect. Karaeorum, p. 28.

Luke 2:41 In-Context

39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God's grace was on Him.

41 Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

42 When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.

43 After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it.