Luke 2:40-47
Luke 2:40-47 |
40. And the child grew, and was invigorated in spirit, and was full of wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. 41. And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, to the feast of the Passover. 42. And when he arrived1 at twelve years, as they went up to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, 43. And when the days were finished, while they were returning, the child Jesus remained at Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it.2 44. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45. And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46. And it happened, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing and putting questions to them: 47. And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. |
40.
But a question arises. From the time that he was conceived in his mother's womb, did he not abound in all fullness of spiritual gifts? for it appears absurd to say, that the Son of God wanted any thing that was necessary to perfection. The reply is easy. If it takes nothing from his glory, that he was altogether, emptied," (
Some excessively timid persons restrict what is here said to outward appearance, and make the meaning to be, that Christ appeared to make progress, though, in point of fact, no addition was made to his knowledge. But the words have a quite different meaning, and this mistaken opinion is still more fully refuted by what Luke shortly afterwards adds, that
And yet we do not in this way suppose a double Christ:7 for, though
It is a foolish objection, that ignorance does not apply to Christ, because it is the punishment of sin: for the same thing might be said of death. Scripture declares, on the contrary, that he performed the office of Mediator: for all the punishment which we deserved was transferred from us to him.9 Besides, it is a foolish mistake to say, that ignorance is the punishment of sin. For we must not suppose that Adam, while he remained in innocence, knew all things. Angels also are, to some extent, ignorant, and yet they do not endure the punishment of sin.
A more refined argument is employed by some, that there was no ignorance in Christ, because ignorance is sin. But those persons assume a principle which is altogether false and groundless: otherwise, the angels must either be equal to God, or they must be sinful.10 There is no doubt a sinful blindness of the human mind, which is justly reckoned a part of original sin: but here we ascribe to Christ no other ignorance than what may fall upon a man who is pure from every taint of sin.
41.
44.
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47.
1 "Quum factus esset."--"Luy donc estant venu en l'aage de douze ans;"--"he then being come to the age of twelve years."
2 "Laquelle chose son pere et sa mere ne s'apperceurent point;"--"which thing his father and his mother did not perceive."
3 "Au temps de sa manifestation;"--"to the time of his manifestation."
4 "Avec l'aage les dons et graces d'Esprit croissoyent aussi et aug-mentoyent en luy."--"With age, the gifts and graces of the Spirit grew also and increased in him.".
5 "En dons et graces de l'Esprit;"--"in gifts and graces of the Spirit."
6 "Avoit vrayement et entierement prins tout ce qui estoit possible et propre pour accomplir de tous points la conjonction fraternelle de luy avec les hommes."--"Had truly and entirely taken all that was possible and fitted to complete, at all points, the brotherly union between him and men."
7 "Deux Christs, ou un double Christ;"--"two Christs, or a double Christ."
8 "Qu'il a souffert, sa Divinite ne demonstrant point sa vertu."--"That he suffered, his Divinity not demonstrating power."
9 "Pource qu'il a prins sur soy toutes les peines que nous avions meritees, afind nous en discharger."--"Because he took upon himself
10 "Autrement il faudra que les Anges soyent pareils a Dieu, et qu'ils sachent tout: ou selon le dire de ces gensci, ils seront vicieux."--"Otherwise, the Angels must be equal to God, and know everything: or, according to the statement of these people, they must be sinful."
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