[Compare Luke ii. 42, whose meagre account is deficient
of the sublime details here given of the subjects disputed upon.]
1 Disputes learnedly with the doctors in the temple,
7 on law,
9 on astronomy,
12 on physics and metaphysics.
21 Is worshiped by a philosopher,
28 and fetched home by his mother.
AND when he was twelve years
old, they brought him to
Jerusalem to the feast; and when
the feast was over, they returned.
2 But the Lord Jesus continued
behind in the temple among the
doctors and elders, and learned
men of Israel; to whom he proposed
several questions of learning,
and also gave them answers:
3 For he said to them, Whose
son is the Messiah? They answered,
the son of David.
4 Why then, said he, does he in
the spirit call him Lord? When he
saith, The Lord said to my Lord,
sit thou at my right hand, till I
have made thine enemies thy foot-
stool.
5 Then a certain principal Rabbi
asked him, Hast thou read books?
6 Jesus answered, be had read
both books, and the things which
were contained in books.
7 And he explained to them the
books of the law, and precepts,
and statutes: and the mysteries
which are contained in the books
of the prophets; things which
the mind of no creature could
reach.
8 Then said that Rabbi, I never
yet have seen or heard of such
knowledge! What do you think
that boy will be?
9 When a certain astronomer,
who was present, asked the Lord
Jesus, Whether he had studied
astronomy?
10 The Lord Jesus replied, and
told him the number of the spheres
and heavenly bodies, as also their
triangular, square, and sextile
aspect; their progressive and
retrograde motion; their size and
several prognostications; and other
things which the reason of man
had never discovered.
11 There was also among them
a philosopher well skilled in
physic and natural philosophy,
who asked the Lord Jesus, Whether
he had studied physic?
12 He replied, and explained to
him physics and metaphysics.
13 Also those things which were
above and below the power of nature;
14 The powers also of the body,
its humours, and their effects.
15 Also the number of its members,
and bones, veins, arteries,
and nerves;
16 The several constitutions of
body, hot and dry, cold and moist,
and the tendencies of them;
17 How the soul operated upon
the body;
18 What its various sensations
and faculties, were;
19 The faculty of speaking, anger,
desire;
20 And lastly the manner of its
composition and dissolution; and
other things, which the
understanding of no creature
had ever reached.
21 Then that philosopher arose,
and worshipped the Lord Jesus,
and said, O Lord Jesus, from
henceforth I will be thy disciple
and servant.
22 While they were discoursing
on these and such like things,
the Lady St. Mary came in, having
been three days walking about
with Joseph, seeking for him.
23 And when she saw him sitting
among the doctors, and in his turn
proposing questions to them, and
giving answers, she said to him,
My son, why hast thou done thus
by us? Behold I and thy father
have been at much pains in
seeking thee.
24 He replied, Why did ye seek
me? Did ye not know that I ought
to be employed in my father's
house?
25 But they understood not the
words which he said to them.
26 Then the doctors asked Mary,
Whether this were her son? And
when she said, He was, they said,
O happy Mary, who hast borne
such a son.
27 Then he returned with them
to Nazareth, and obeyed them in
all things.
28 And his mother kept all these
things in her mind;
29 And the Lord Jesus grew in
stature and wisdom, and favour
with God and man.