Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 2:46

"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:" — Luke 2:46 (ASV)

After three days. This means, probably, on the third day after they had left Jerusalem—that is, on the first day they went toward Galilee, on the second they returned to Jerusalem, and on the third they found him. (Mark 8:31).

In the temple. In the court of the temple, for Jesus, not being a Levitical priest, could not enter into the temple itself. .

In the midst of the doctors. These were the teachers, the Rabbis, who were the instructors of the people in matters of religion.

Asking them questions. He was proposing questions to them concerning the law and the prophets. There is no reason to suppose that this was for the purpose of perplexing or confounding them. The questions were undoubtedly proposed in a respectful manner, and the answers listened to with proper deference to their age and rank.

Jesus was a child, and religion does not teach a child to be rude or uncivil, even if he may actually know much more than older persons. Religion teaches all, and especially the young, to treat others with respect, to show them the honour that is due, to venerate age, and to speak kindly to all (1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 3:8–9; Exodus 20:12; Matthew 23:3; Romans 13:7).