Lc 2, 41-52 : a real event

Literature tells the childhood stories of many famous people (Buddha, Caesar Augustus, Alexander the Great, etc.) as an omen of future greatness. But what distinguishes the story of Luke from all these other texts is its truthfulness and its humble nature.

A real historical event

This is the story of a real event. At the age of 13 years [1] a Jewish boy becomes a bar mitzvah, i.e. he comes of age and formally marks the assumption of religious obligations. The boy becomes a son of the law, knows the Bible and accepts the commandments. This is the beginning of adulthood; the boy’s father is no longer expected to be patient, but he can use force if necessary [2], from now on the son and not the father is responsible for his own actions. [3]

Luke’s source is most likely Mary herself, who was part of the Christian community (cf. Acts 1:14).

[1 ] Talmud Babylone, Niddah 45 b.

[2 ] Talmud de Babylone Ketubot 50 a.

[3 ] Rabbi Eleazaro di R. Simone (d. 180) Genesis Rabbah 63:10

A.SERRA

Cf. A. SERRA, articolo Bibbia, in Nuovo Dizionario di Mariologia,

a cura di S. de Fiores e S. Meo, ed. Paoline, Milano 1985, quarta stampa 1996,

pp.240-245.