Meanwhile Joseph and Mary were in great perplexity and distress. In the departure from Jerusalem they had lost sight of Jesus, and they knew not that He had tarried behind. The country was then densely populated, and the caravans from Galilee were very large. There was much confusion as they left the city. On the way the pleasure of traveling with friends and acquaintances absorbed their attention, and they did not notice His absence till night came on. Then as they halted for rest, they missed the helpful hand of their child. Supposing Him to be with their company, they had felt no anxiety. Young as He was, they had trusted Him implicitly, expecting that when needed, He would be ready to assist them, anticipating their wants as He had always done. But now their fears were roused. They searched for Him throughout their company, but in vain. Shuddering they remembered how Herod had tried to destroy Him in His infancy. Dark forebodings filled their hearts. They bitterly reproached themselves.

Imidlertid var Josef og Maria dybt bekymrede og fortvivlede. Ved deres afrejse fra Jerusalem havde de tabt Jesus af syne, og de vidste ikke, at han var blevet tilbage i byen. Landet var dengang tæt befolket, og karavanerne fra Galilæa var meget store. Der herskede stor forvirring, når de forlod byen. Undervejs blev deres opmærksomhed optaget af det fornøjelige ved at rejse sammen med venner og bekendte, og de lagde ikke mærke til hans fraværelse, før aftenen var ved at falde på. Da de så standsede for at holde rast, savnede de deres barns hjælpende hånd. De havde ikke følt nogen ængstelse, fordi de mente, at han var sammen med deres rejseselskab. Så ung som han var, havde de stolet ubetinget på ham og ventede, at han ville være parat til at stå dem bi, når det tiltrængtes, og komme deres ønsker i forkøbet, som han altid plejede. Men nu blev de grebet af frygt. De ledte efter ham i hele rejseselskabet, men det var forgæves. De gyste ved tanken om, hvordan Herodes havde forsøgt at dræbe ham, da han var lille. Deres sind fyldtes af mørke forudanelser. De gjorde sig selv de bitreste bebrejdelser.