Technically, the Bible only gives us a few recorded ages of Jesus throughout the gospels. The most popular and well-known account of Jesus’ recorded age is found in Luke 2:41-52. In this passage of Luke’s gospel, Jesus is recorded as being 12 years old (Luke 2:42).
Throughout time, many scholars have tried to pinpoint Jesus’ ages; however, we cannot be dogmatic. There does seem to be significance to Jesus’ ages, which we will uncover in this article.
1. Jesus at Two Years Old
We are not told directly that Jesus was two years old when the Magi came to visit Him; however, we know Jesus must be either two years old or younger when the Magi visited Him based on Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 2:16).
In other words, the Magi worshipped Jesus when He was only two years old. This is significant because it shows that from the time of Jesus’ birth and young childhood, others were already taking notice of His divinity.
A normal child would not have been worshipped as only God in the flesh deserved to be worshipped and praised. Thus, the significance of Jesus’ age at two years old shows His divinity and Lordship.
2. Jesus at 12 Years Old
Jesus was 12 years old when He went to the Temple (Luke 2:41-52). Mary and Joseph were going to the Feast of Passover in Jerusalem as they did every year and Jesus came along with them.
As they were returning home from Jerusalem, Jesus chose to remain in Jerusalem; however, Mary and Joseph were not aware that Jesus had stayed in Jerusalem.
It was not until many days had passed that Mary had realized Jesus was not with them. After Mary and Joseph realized Jesus was not in their company, they searched for him among their family and friends.
When searching for Jesus among their family and friends was futile, they decided to go back to Jerusalem, which was exactly where Jesus was. Mary and Joseph found Jesus listening and interacting with the teachers in the Temple (Luke 2:46).
All of the teachers in the Temple were astonished by Jesus’ knowledge as He knew much about God and the scriptures even though He was only 12 years old. Mary and Joseph were upset with Jesus because they had been worried about Him and were going to great lengths to find Him.
When Mary questioned Jesus as to why He remained in Jerusalem, Jesus replied, “‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’” (Luke 2:49). Unfortunately, Jesus’ parents did not understand Him (Luke 2:50).
At His parents’ command, Jesus obediently left the Temple and returned home with them (Luke 2:51-52). In all of the four gospels, Luke is the only writer who includes this detail of Jesus’ early life. The other three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John possibly chose to leave this part out of Jesus’ life because they wanted to focus on Jesus’ adult ministry.
The significance of Jesus’ age at the Temple is not fully known. Scholars cannot be dogmatic as to why Jesus’ exact age is recorded here in Luke 2:41-52. It is plausible that Jesus’ age is recorded here because it symbolizes Jesus’ growth and maturity.
A few verses after Jesus’ parents take Him home from Jerusalem, we are given a slight hint as to why Jesus’ age is mentioned. Luke 2:52 states, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Many people believe Jesus’ age is mentioned because of the age frame connection with the Jewish ceremony of a Bar Mitzvah. This is an erroneous belief because Bar Mitzvahs were not yet created during the time of Jesus’ life.
Bar Mitzvahs had their genesis and creation in Europe — not in Jerusalem. The more accurate significance of Jesus’ age being recorded in Luke 2:42 could be that since Luke was an accurate researcher and historian, he made an intentional effort to record Jesus’ exact age.
Therefore, by Luke recording Jesus’ age of 12 years old in Luke 2, he was giving an accurate age of the boy Jesus for his gospel. It is also plausible that Jesus’ age was symbolic of the growth and maturity He was displaying at a very young age.
3. Jesus’ Adulthood
After Luke’s record of Jesus’ age of 12 years old in Luke 2:42, we are not given many more ages of Jesus ever again. Scholars speculate that Jesus was in His early thirties when He was crucified. In other words, from the time of Jesus being 12 years old to His death, we are never given any more of Jesus’ recorded ages except for one occurrence in Luke 3:23.
Outside of Luke 3:23, we have the information that Jesus helped in His earthly father’s occupation of being a carpenter (Mark 6:3). When Jesus started teaching the people, many people questioned Him by saying, “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him” (Mark 6:3). Therefore, we know that Jesus was a carpenter under the care and instruction of his father, Joseph during His teen and adult years. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus began His public ministry when He was about 30 years old (Luke 3:23).
The Lord’s public ministry lasted for about three years, in which most scholars believe Jesus was crucified when He was about 33 years old. The significance of Jesus beginning His ministry at 30 years old is not entirely known nor do scholars know why Jesus had to die when He was 33 years old.
To be honest, the Bible doesn’t tell us why Jesus had to die when He was 33 years old. Some scholars believe that 33 was the “perfect number;” however, the Bible says nothing about this. It is best for Christians to abstain from numerology because it is not beneficial and can become a distraction or idol.
Some scholars believe all people will be 33 years old in heaven because it is the “perfect number.” This is not true as the Bible doesn’t tell us what age we will be in heaven or that age will even be a factor.
Luke most likely included ages in His account of Christ for the factual, historical side of recording the life of Jesus.
Christians everywhere should be educated on the significance of Jesus’ ages; however, knowing the exact ages of Christ throughout His life is not needed for salvation. Only placing faith in Christ is required for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).
4. Jesus’ Age for Eternity
In the New Heaven and New Earth, age will not be a factor. The Bible does not tell us that everyone will be at a set age. Rather, in the New Heaven and New Earth, there will only be happiness, joy, and gladness of heart.
Age will not matter because we will all live forever. There is no “perfect age” in heaven. Sadly, the Bible does not give us full information on our eternal age, but we can be certain that our age will not play a factor in our energy levels or in our worship of the Lord.
It is my opinion that we will all be happy, healthy Christians who faithfully serve the Lord with all of our hearts and minds. The significance of Jesus’ age is to point to His divinity, show His maturity, and provide historical and accurate data of the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
For further reading:
Why Was Jesus’ Ministry So Short?
How Was it the Right Time for Jesus’ Life on Earth?
What Is the Full Story of Jesus’ Birth?
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