In this visit to Jerusalem, the parents of Jesus wished to bring Him in connection with the great teachers in Israel. While He was obedient in every particular to the word of God, He did not conform to the rabbinical rites and usages. Joseph and Mary hoped that He might be led to reverence the learned rabbis, and give more diligent heed to their requirements. But Jesus in the temple had been taught by God. That which He had received, He began at once to impart.

Under dette besøg i Jerusalem havde Jesu forældre ønsket at bringe ham i forbindelse med Israels store lærere. Skønt han til de mindste enkeltheder var lydig mod Guds ord, rettede han sig ikke efter de rabbinske skikke og ritualer. Josef og Maria håbede, at han måske kunne komme til at nære ærbødighed for de lærde skriftkloge og mere flittigt give agt på deres vedtægter. Men Jesus havde i templet lært af Gud selv. Det, som han havde modtaget, begyndte han straks at give videre til andre.