Jesus was acquainted with hearts. He knew that, as the crowd returned in company from Jerusalem, there would be much talking and visiting which would not be seasoned with humility and grace, and the Messiah and His mission would be nearly forgotten. It was His choice to return from Jerusalem with His parents alone; for in being retired, His father and mother would have more time for reflection, and for meditation upon the prophecies which referred to His future sufferings and death. He did not wish the painful events which they were to experience in His offering up His life for the sins of the world, to be new and unexpected to them. He was separated from them in their return to Jerusalem. After the celebration of the Passover, they sought Him sorrowing three days. When He should be slain for the sins of the world, He would be separated from them, lost to them, for three days. But after that, He would reveal Himself to them, and be found of them, and their faith rely upon Him as the Redeemer of the fallen race, the advocate with the Father in their behalf.{5BC 1118.4}

Jesus var bekendt med menneskenes hjerte. Han vidste, at når skaren drog hjem fra Jerusalem, ville meget af det, der blev sagt, og mange af de besøg, som blev aflagt, ikke være krydret med ydmyghed og ynde, og Messias og hans gerning ville næsten blive glemt. Det var hans ønske at vende tilbage fra Jerusalem sammen med forældrene alene; for når de var alene, ville hans fader og moder have mere tid til at overveje og tænke på de profetier, som henviste til hans lidelser og død. Han ønskede ikke, at de smertelige begivenheder, som de skulle gennemgå, når han gav sit liv for verdens synd, skulle komme som en overraskelse for dem. Han var ikke hos dem, da de vendte tilbage til Jerusalem. Efter påskehøjtiden søgte de bedrøvede efter ham i tre dage. Da Han skulle dræbes for verdens synder, ville han blive adskilt fra dem, mistet til dem, i tre dage. Men efter dette, ville han åbenbare sig selv for dem, og være fundet hos dem, og deres tro stoler på Ham som den faldne slægts Genløser, advokaten hos Faderen for deres bedste.