Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 2:42

"And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast;" — Luke 2:42 (ASV)

Luke takes yet another opportunity to emphasize the fidelity of Jesus’ family to Judaism. Adults were supposed to attend the three major feasts in Jerusalem annually—Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. For many this was impossible, but an effort was made to go at least to Passover. With puberty, a boy became a “son of the covenant,” a custom continued in the present barmitzvah ceremony. It was considered helpful for a boy to attend the Jerusalem festivals for one or two years before becoming a son of the covenant so that he would realize what his new relationship involved.