Joseph and Mary probably went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of
the passover. (Deut. 16:16.) And when Jesus was twelve years old they
went up as usual taking him with them. (Luke 2:41-42.)
_Mengelberg, Plate 34,_ represents the holy family approaching the
city. The temple with its smoking altars is seen in the distance. The
artist has suggested the great company who went up every year to
worship, and with which, returning, Joseph and Mary supposed Jesus to
be.
[Illustration: Jesus, Twelve Years Old, on his way to Jerusalem.]
Plate 34. _Jesus, Twelve Years Old, on his Way to Jerusalem._ O.
Mengelberg.
_Hofmann, Plates 38 and 39,_ illustrates (Luke 2:46). Plate 38 is
from the drawing in the artist's Life of Christ. Plate 39, from the
famous painting in Dresden, is the more carefully finished. Hofmann
has shown the seal of Solomon upon the "chair of philosophy," he has
introduced the scroll of the prophets and suggested the rich stones
of the temple, but the interest of all is upon the Boy, who came to
fulfill the law and the prophets, and who was greater than the temple
and greater than Solomon. (Matt. 5:17, John 2:19-20, Matt. 12:42).
This picture has become a classic already, though Hofmann is still
living.
[Illustration: Christ Disputing with the Doctors.]
Plate 38. _Christ Disputing with the Doctors._ H. Hofmann. 1824-
[Illustration: In The Temple.]
Plate 39. _In The Temple._ H. Hofmann. 1824-
_Lafon, Plate 36,_ has idealized his subject. He has placed Jesus "in
Moses' seat" (Matt. 23:2), conferring upon him a distinction amply
justified by subsequent events especially by the Sermon on the Mount.
"It hath been said . . . but I say unto you . . ." these are the
words which give Jesus a unique position as a teacher.
[Illustration: Christ Among the Doctors.]
Plate 36. _Christ Among the Doctors._ Emile J. Lafon.
_Hunt, Plate 35,_ adds that truthfulness of detail, that literalness
of statement made possible by the antiquarian and the archaeologist.
It is the moment described in Luke 2:48, when his mother speaks to
Jesus, "Son, why hast thou dealt thus with us?"
[Illustration: Finding of Christ in the Temple.]
Plate 35. _Finding of Christ in the Temple._ Holman Hunt. 1827-
_Dobson, Plate 37,_ shows the moment of discovery, the moment just
before Mary speaks. Some of the kinsfolk and acquaintances have
evidently returned with Joseph and Mary. A rabbi is telling them
about this wondrous child. (Luke 2:47.)
[Illustration: Christ Disputing in the Temple.]
Plate 37. _Christ Disputing in the Temple._ W. C. T. Dobson.