“And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.”
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom — the twelve-year-old detail is significant: Jewish boys came under the obligation of the commandments at thirteen (bar mitzvah); at twelve they began their preparation. The this trip is the first in which the child Jesus is old enough to participate meaningfully in the full Passover liturgy and discussion. According to the custom again: the ordinary faithful observance that provides the setting for the extraordinary encounter.
Church Fathers on Luke 2:42
The Evangelist having said before that the Child grew and waxed strong, verifies his own words when he relates, that Jesus with the holy Virgin went up to Jerusalem; as it is said, And when he was twelve years old, &c.
His indication of wisdom did not exceed the measure of His age, but at the time that with us the powers of discernment are generally perfected, the wisdom of Christ shows itself.
Or the twelfth year was the commencement of our Lord’s disputation with the doctors, for this was the number of the Evangelists necessary to preach the faith.
Read all 27 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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