Mary, Joseph & young Jesus

A childhood shaped by extraordinary journeys.

All journeys

Illustrated map of Egypt, Sinai, Judea, and Galilee. Egypt is shown as a broad region, not an exact place of stay.

MEDITERRANEAN
SEA EGYPT SINAI GALILEE JUDEA Sea of
Galilee Jordan
River Dead Sea Bethlehem

05 Nazareth 06 Jerusalem

Dashed line: illustrative connectionExact route and stay are unknown.

CHAPTER 06 OF 06

Illustrative map · locations approximate

In the temple at twelve

Jerusalem · Listening and asking questions

At twelve, Jesus travels with his parents to Jerusalem for Passover. When they cannot find him on the return journey, they go back. They discover him in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions.

Luke 2:41–52

Luke records the visit to Jerusalem; the roads on this map are illustrative connections.

You might be wondering...

Why did the family visit Jerusalem?

Luke says that Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival. This episode takes place when Jesus is twelve.

What happened after they found Jesus?

Jesus returned with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. Luke adds that Mary treasured these things and that Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature.