Jesus stays in Jerusalem (Lk 2:43-2:43)

“When the festival

Was ended,

They started

To return home.

The boy Jesus

Stayed behind

In Jerusalem.

But his parents

Did not know it.”

 

καὶ τελειωσάντων τὰς ἡμέρας, ἐν τῷ ὑποστρέφειν αὐτοὺς ὑπέμεινεν Ἰησοῦς ὁ παῖς ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ.

 

Luke continued this story.  When the days of the festival were ended (καὶ τελειωσάντων τὰς ἡμέρας), Mary and Joseph started to return home (ἐν τῷ ὑποστρέφειν αὐτοὺς).  However, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem (ὑπέμεινεν Ἰησοῦς ὁ παῖς ἐν Ἱερουσαλήμ,), but his parents did not know it (καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ).  This poses a problem.  How alert were these parents?  On the one hand, a 12-year-old would have a little freedom, but to leave without him seems a little odd.