Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Luke: Chapter 2]
then by metonymy the company itself. A common Greek word
(Plutarch, Strabo, etc.). The women usually went ahead and the
men followed. Joseph may have thought Jesus was with Mary and
Mary that he was with Joseph. "The Nazareth caravan was so long
that it took a whole day to look through it" (Plummer). {They
sought for him} (\anez•toun auton\). Imperfect active. Common
Greek verb. Note force of \ana\. They searched up and down, back
and forth, a thorough search and prolonged, but in vain.
2:45 {Seeking for him} (\anaz•tountes auton\). Present participle
of the same verb. This was all that was worth while now, finding
the lost boy.
2:46 {After three days} (\meta h•meras treis\). One day out, one
day back, and on the third day finding him. {In the temple} (\en
t•i hier•i\). Probably on the terrace where members of the
Sanhedrin gave public instruction on sabbaths and feast-days, so
probably while the feast was still going on. The rabbis probably
sat on benches in a circle. The listeners on the ground, among
whom was Jesus the boy in a rapture of interest. {Both hearing
them and asking them questions} (\kai akouonta aut•n kai
eper•t•nta autous\). Paul sat at the feet of Gamaliel (Ac
22:3). Picture this eager boy alive with interest. It was his
one opportunity in a theological school outside of the synagogue
to hear the great rabbis expound the problems of life. This was
the most unusual of all children, to be sure, in intellectual
grasp and power. But it is a mistake to think that children of
twelve do not think profoundly concerning the issues of life.
What father or mother has ever been able to answer a child's
questions?
2:47 {Were amazed} (\existanto\). Imperfect indicative middle,
descriptive of their continued and repeated astonishment. Common
verb \exist•mi\ meaning that they stood out of themselves as if
their eyes were bulging out. The boy had a holy thirst for
knowledge (Plummer), and he used a boy's way of learning. {At his
understanding} (\epi t•i sunesei\). Based on (\epi\), the grasp
and comprehension from \suni•mi\, comparing and combining things.
Cf. Mr 12:33. {His answers} (\tais apokrisesin autou\). It is
not difficult to ask hard questions, but this boy had astounding
answers to their questions, revealing his amazing intellectual
and spiritual growth.
2:48 {They were astonished} (\exeplag•san\). Second aorist
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