The rabbis knew that Jesus had not been instructed in their schools; yet His understanding of the prophecies far exceeded theirs. In this thoughtful Galilean boy they discerned great promise. They desired to gain Him as a student, that He might become a teacher in Israel. They wanted to have charge of His education, feeling that a mind so original must be brought under their molding.

Rabbinerne vidste, at Jesus ikke var blevet undervist i deres skoler, men alligevel overgik hans forståelse af profetierne langt deres egen. De skimtede store muligheder i denne galilæiske dreng. De ville gerne erhverve ham til at være deres discipel, så han kunne blive en lærer i Israel. De ville gerne kunne overvåge hans uddannelse, fordi de følte, at en så enestående forstand måtte bringes ind under deres vejledning.