King James Version

What Does Luke 2:51 Mean?

Luke 2:51 in the King James Version says “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in he... — study this verse from Luke chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 2:51 · KJV


Context

49

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

50

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

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.

52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. stature: or, age


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' submission to Mary and Joseph after the temple incident demonstrate the compatibility of divine identity with genuine humanity?
  2. What does Jesus' return to 18 years of obscurity teach about the importance of faithful living in hidden, ordinary circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
καὶ1 of 25

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κατέβη2 of 25

he went down

G2597

to descend (literally or figuratively)

μετ'3 of 25

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτῆς4 of 25

his

G846

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

καὶ5 of 25

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἦλθεν6 of 25

came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

εἰς7 of 25

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

Ναζαρέτ8 of 25

Nazareth

G3478

nazareth or nazaret, a place in palestine

καὶ9 of 25

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἦν10 of 25

was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ὑποτασσόμενος11 of 25

subject

G5293

to subordinate; reflexively, to obey

αὐτῆς12 of 25

his

G846

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

καὶ13 of 25

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

14 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μήτηρ15 of 25

mother

G3384

a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)

αὐτῆς16 of 25

his

G846

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

διετήρει17 of 25

kept

G1301

to watch thoroughly, i.e., (positively and transitively) to observe strictly, or (negatively and reflexively) to avoid wholly

πάντα18 of 25

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ19 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ῥήματα20 of 25

sayings

G4487

an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat

ταῦτα21 of 25

these

G5023

these things

ἐν22 of 25

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ23 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίᾳ24 of 25

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὐτῆς25 of 25

his

G846

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 2:51 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 2:51 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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