Among the Jews the twelfth year was the dividing line between childhood and youth. On completing this year a Hebrew boy was called a son of the law, and also a son of God. He was given special opportunities for religious instruction, and was expected to participate in the sacred feasts and observances. It was in accordance with this custom that Jesus in His boyhood made the Passover visit to Jerusalem. Like all devout Israelites, Joseph and Mary went up every year to attend the Passover; and when Jesus had reached the required age, they took Him with them.

Dette kapitel er bygget op over Luk 2,41-51
Blandt jøderne regnes tolvårsalderen for skillelinjen mellem barndom og ungdom. Når en hebraisk dreng havde nået denne alder, blev han kaldt en lovens søn, men tillige en Guds søn. Han fik derefter særlige muligheder for åndelig belæring og forventedes at tage del i de hellige højtider og ceremonier. Det var i overensstemmelse med denne skik, at Jesus som dreng var på påskebesøg i Jerusalem. Ligesom alle andre fromme israelitter drog Josef og Maria hvert år op for at højtideligholde påsken; og da Jesus havde nået den alder, der krævedes, tog de ham med sig.