John Calvin Commentary Luke 2:49

"And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father`s house?" — Luke 2:49 (ASV)

Did you not know? Our Lord justly blames his mother, though he does it in a gentle and indirect manner.

The essence of what he says is that the duty which he owes to God his Father ought to be immeasurably preferred to all human duties. Consequently, earthly parents are wrong to be offended that they have been neglected in comparison with God.

From this we may infer the general doctrine that whatever we owe to people must yield to the first table of the law, so that God’s authority over us may remain untouched.²⁴⁰ Thus, we ought to obey kings, parents, and masters,²⁴¹ but only in subjection to God. That is, we must not, for the sake of people, diminish or take away anything from God. Indeed, regard for the superior claims of God does not imply a violation of the duties we owe to people.

In those things which belong to my Father—this expression indicates that there is something about him greater than humanity. It also points out the primary purpose for which he was sent into the world: that he might fulfill the role assigned to him by his heavenly Father.

But is it not astonishing that Joseph and Mary did not understand this answer, since they had been instructed by many proofs that Jesus is the Son of God? I reply: Though they were not entirely unacquainted with Christ’s heavenly origin, they did not fully comprehend, in every respect, how he was intent on carrying out his heavenly Father’s commands, for his calling had not yet been expressly revealed to them.

Mary kept in her heart those things which she did not fully understand. Let us learn from this to receive with reverence, and to lay up in our minds (like seed that is allowed to remain for some time in the ground), those mysteries of God which exceed our capacity.

²⁴⁰ “Que tout ce qui est deu aux hommes, est au dessous de la premiere Table de la Loy, et doit tenir le second lieu, afin que toujours Dieu ait sa puissance et son authorite entiere.” — “That all that is due to men is below the first Table of the Law, and ought to hold the second plane, in order that God may always have his power and his authority entire.”.” — “That all that is due to men is below the first Table of the Law, and ought to hold the second plane, in order that God may always have his power and his authority entire.”

²⁴¹ “Dominis;” — “;” — “maistres et seigneurs;” — “masters and lords.”;” — “masters and lords.”