Bible Study Series: Luke 2:39-40. “The child grew and got stronger, being filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was on him.”
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In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: 2:39-40
39 And as everything according to the law of the Lord was completed, they returned to Galilee to their hometown Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and got stronger, being filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was on him. (Luke 2:39-40)
Comments:
See the introductory remarks under Luke 2:8-21 for comments by Turner on how this section in Luke does not contradict Matthew’s infancy narrative.
39:
Their religious duties were completed and the Spirit-anointed fireworks were over, so it was time for Joseph to get back home and to do the daily routine of carpentry and wood working and for her to stay at home and do household chores.
40:
Jesus had to grow up just like any other child. For the wonderful thought of this boy being full deity in bodily form (Col. 1:19; 2:9; John 1:1-4, 14), in relation to his humanity, his boyhood, see my discussion at Luke 1:35.
The theology goes deep, however. Not for beginners.
“favor”: It comes from the noun charis (pronounced khah-reese) and means, depending on the context. “graciousness, attractiveness; favor, gracious care, help or goodwill, practical application of goodwill”; a “gracious deed or gift, benefaction.” In some contexts, it means “exceptional effects produced by divine grace,” in other words, empowerment to accomplish a task or receive a blessing.
Do I Really Know God? He Is Gracious.
“wisdom”: This word undoubtedly goes along with the Greek noun sunesis (v. 47). BDAG is considered by many to be the authoritative Greek lexicon, and it translates the noun sophia (pronounced soh-fee-ah and used 51 times) as “the capacity to understand and function accordingly—wisdom.”
So biblical wisdom is very practical. It is not like the wisdom of the Greek philosophers, which was very abstract. But let’s not make too much of the differences. In the classical Greek lexicon, sophia can also mean: “skill in handcraft and art … knowledge of, acquaintance with a thing … sound judgment, intelligence, practical wisdom.” In a bad sense it can mean “cunning, shrewdness, craft” (Liddell and Scott).
The adjective is sophos (pronounced soh-fohss and used 20 times) and according to BDAG it means (1) “pertaining to knowing how to do something in a skillful manner, clever, skillful, experienced”; (2) “pertaining to understanding that results in wise attitudes and conduct, wise.”
Jesus enjoyed favor from God and in front of his neighbors, relatives, and co-workers, as he was learning his trade with his father. In other words, people liked him, and more deeply than that, the perceptive people of his hometown could see something special about the boy, a divine thumbprint on him, a unique calling, a godly and devout demeanor. (No doubt he liked to have fun, as well.) But some children are just extra-devout and kind and gentle. They seem to be born saved, right from their mother’s womb. And with God shining down on Jesus, we should see him like that, but with the added blessings of God’s gracious care and good will and attractiveness and winsomeness on the boy—and flowing through him to everyone around him.
GrowApp for Luke 2:39-40
1. How have you grown stronger in the Lord? What are some practical steps you have taken?
2. Study Ephesians 2:8. You too have God’s favor and grace on you. How does this biblical truth work out in your daily life? How does it change your attitude?
RELATED
Luke’s Birth Narrative: Pagan Myth or Sacred Story?
11. Eyewitness Testimony in Luke’s Gospel
3. Church Fathers and Luke’s Gospel
2. Archaeology and the Synoptic Gospels
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
SOURCES
For the bibliographical data, please click on this link and scroll down to the very bottom:
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