ris3n's Apologetics Codex

Passage

Luke 2.46-47

Book: Luke · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

Immediate context (±2 verses)

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ASV (ASV)

"44. but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45. and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him."

"46. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47. and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers."

"48. And when they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:44-49, ASV)

WEB (WEB)

"44. but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey, and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45. When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him."

"46. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. 47. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers."

"48. When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.” 49. He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”" (Luke 2:44-49, WEB)

KJV (KJV)

"44. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him."

"46. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."

"48. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:44-49, KJV)

YLT (YLT)

"44. and, having supposed him to be in the company, they went a day's journey, and were seeking him among the kindred and among the acquaintances, 45. and not having found him, they turned back to Jerusalem seeking him."

"46. And it came to pass, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them, 47. and all those hearing him were astonished at his understanding and answers."

"48. And, having seen him, they were amazed, and his mother said unto him, 'Child, why didst thou thus to us? lo, thy father and I, sorrowing, were seeking thee.' 49. And he said unto them, 'Why [is it] that ye were seeking me? did ye not know that in the things of my Father it behoveth me to be?'" (Luke 2:44-49, YLT)

Setting

  • Speaker: Luke the physician (traditionally) / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching
  • Audience: Theophilus + Gentile Christian audience (companion to Acts)
  • Location: first-century Palestine (events); composition possibly Caesarea or Rome
  • Time period: events c. 4 BC, AD 30/33; composed c. AD 60-80

Theological reading

Key words

Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the most literal English translations available (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the public domain in the United States, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

  • ASV (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
  • WEB (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
  • KJV (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
  • YLT (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See Bibles for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.