And Jesus grew in wisdomThis phrase highlights the human aspect of Jesus, emphasizing His development in understanding and discernment. In Jewish culture, wisdom is highly valued, often associated with the fear of the Lord (
Proverbs 9:10). Jesus' growth in wisdom reflects His deepening relationship with God and His understanding of the Scriptures. This growth is consistent with the Jewish tradition of young boys learning the Torah, which Jesus would have done in the synagogue. His wisdom is later demonstrated in His teachings and parables, which often confounded the religious leaders of His time (
Matthew 13:54).
and stature
Stature refers to physical growth and maturity. Jesus, being fully human, experienced the natural process of growing up. This growth is significant as it underscores His humanity, allowing Him to fully identify with human experiences and limitations. The mention of stature also implies that Jesus was healthy and strong, preparing Him for the physical demands of His ministry, including His travels and the endurance required for His crucifixion.
and in favor with God
This phrase indicates Jesus' spiritual growth and the pleasure God took in Him. Favor with God suggests a life lived in obedience and alignment with God's will. This is reminiscent of Old Testament figures like Samuel, who also grew in favor with the Lord (1 Samuel 2:26). Jesus' baptism, where God declares Him as His beloved Son (Matthew 3:17), further confirms this divine favor. His life was marked by prayer, obedience, and a deep connection with the Father, setting an example for believers.
and man
Jesus' favor with man points to His social and relational development. He was known for His compassion, wisdom, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. This favor is evident in His interactions with the disciples, the crowds, and even those who opposed Him. His ability to relate to others and His reputation for integrity and kindness would have been essential for His ministry. This aspect of His growth fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah being a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6) and demonstrates His role as a mediator between God and humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure of this verse, Jesus is depicted in His youth, growing and developing in various aspects of life.
2.
NazarethWhile not mentioned directly in this verse, Nazareth is the town where Jesus grew up, providing the context for His development.
3.
GodThe verse highlights Jesus' relationship with God, indicating His spiritual growth and favor.
4.
ManThis refers to the people around Jesus, emphasizing His social interactions and the favor He found with them.
Teaching Points
Holistic GrowthJesus' development in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man serves as a model for holistic growth in our own lives. We should strive for balance in intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social areas.
Pursuit of WisdomAs Jesus grew in wisdom, we are encouraged to seek wisdom through prayer, study of Scripture, and learning from others. Wisdom is a gift from God that guides our decisions and actions.
Spiritual FavorGrowing in favor with God involves cultivating a relationship with Him through prayer, obedience, and worship. Our spiritual life should be a priority, influencing all other areas of growth.
Social RelationshipsJesus' favor with man highlights the importance of building positive relationships. We are called to love our neighbors, serve others, and live in peace with those around us.
Imitating ChristAs followers of Christ, we are to imitate His example of growth and favor. This involves humility, service, and a commitment to God's will in our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 2:52?
2.How can we grow in "wisdom and stature" like Jesus in Luke 2:52?
3.What does "favor with God and man" mean in Luke 2:52?
4.How does Proverbs 3:4 relate to Jesus' growth in Luke 2:52?
5.In what ways can we seek God's favor in our daily lives?
6.How can parents encourage their children to grow like Jesus in Luke 2:52?
7.How does Luke 2:52 illustrate Jesus' humanity and divinity simultaneously?
8.What does "in favor with God and man" mean in Luke 2:52?
9.How does Luke 2:52 relate to the concept of spiritual growth?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 2?
11.What does "increased in wisdom and stature" mean?
12.What was Jesus' height?
13.What does 'increased in wisdom and stature' mean?
14.What miracles did young Jesus perform in his childhood?What Does Luke 2:52 Mean
And Jesus grewLuke presents Jesus’ development as genuine, steady growth. He entered the world sharing our human experience, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). We’ve already seen this pattern inLuke 2:40, “And the Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him”. His growth underscores the miracle of the Incarnation—fully God, yet fully man—walking through childhood and adolescence just as we do (Philippians 2:7).
in wisdom• Wisdom involves more than knowledge; it is skillful, God-directed living.
• Jesus grew in understanding of Scripture, of His Father’s will, and of how to apply truth in real life (Isaiah 11:2).
• At twelve, He amazed the temple teachers with His insight (Luke 2:46-47).
•James 3:17 describes heavenly wisdom as “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason…”—qualities perfectly displayed in Jesus from His youth.
and stature• Physical development was normal and healthy. He experienced the stages of boyhood, adolescence, and manhood.
• His body would one day be offered on the cross (Hebrews 10:5). That sacrifice required a real, unblemished, fully matured human body (1 Peter 2:24).
• The Creator who formed human bodies (Colossians 1:16) humbled Himself to inhabit one, affirming the goodness of God’s physical creation.
and in favor with God• “Favor” translates the same idea as “grace.” Jesus enjoyed perfect, uninterrupted fellowship with His Father (John 8:29).
• At His baptism the Father declared, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).
• His growing favor did not imply prior deficiency; it revealed a progressing public manifestation of divine approval as He advanced toward His mission (John 2:11).
and in favor with man• People were drawn to Him even before His public ministry (Luke 4:22).
• He related graciously to family, neighbors, and synagogue leaders (Mark 6:3).
• His compassion, obedience, and integrity embodiedLeviticus 19:18’s command, “love your neighbor as yourself.”
• Though later rejected by some, His early favor foreshadowed the magnetism that would gather disciples and confound adversaries (Matthew 7:28-29).
summaryLuke 2:52 captures thirty years of silent preparation in one sentence: Jesus matured intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. Fully human growth unfolded under the smile of His Father and among ordinary people, qualifying Him to be our sympathetic Savior and perfect example.
(52)
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature.--Here again we have nothing but a normal orderly development. With Him, as with others, wisdom widened with the years, and came into His human soul through the same channels and by the same processes as into the souls of others--instruction,
e.g.,in the school of Nazareth, and attendance at its synagogue--the difference being that He, in every stage, attained the perfection of moral and spiritual wisdom which belongs to that stage; there being in Him no sin or selfishness or pride, such as checks the growth of wisdom in all others. In striking contrast with the true record of the growth of the Son of Man, is that which grew out of the fantastic imaginations of the writers of the Apocryphal Gospels. There the child Jesus is ever working signs and wonders; fashions into shape Joseph's clumsy work; moulds sparrows out of clay, and claps His hands and bids them fly; strikes a playmate who offends Him with dumbness, and so on
ad nauseam.In favour with God and man.--This, it will be noted, is an addition to what had been stated inLuke 2:40, and gives the effect while that gave the cause. The boy grew into youth, and the young man into manhood, and the purity and lowliness and unselfish sympathy drew even then the hearts of all men. In that highest instance, as in all lower analogies, men admired holiness till it became aggressive, and then it roused them to an antagonism bitter in proportion to their previous admiration. On the history of the eighteen years that followed, seeExcursuson Matthew 2.
Verse 52. -
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Another of these little word-paintings of St. Luke in which the work and progress of long years is depicted. The purpose of this brief statement is clear. The evangelist would teach us that, with Jesus, bodily development proceeded in the same orderly fashion as it does with other men, while wisdom - deepening with the years - passed into his soul as it passes into the souls of other men, by the ordinary channels of instruction, study, and thought. On the last words, "in favor with God and man," Dean Plumptre very beautifully writes, "The Boy grew into youth, and the young Man into manhood, and his purity and lowliness and unselfish sympathy drew even then the hearts of all men. In that highest instance, as in all lower analogies, men admired holiness till it became aggressive, and then it roused them to an antagonism bitter in proportion to their previous admiration." The Greek word in this verse translated "increased" would be more literally rendered "kept advancing." The word is used for pioneers hewing down trees and brushwood which obstruct the path of an advancing army. The word in the original, Englished by "stature" some scholars translate by "age;" either rendering is permissible, but the word used in the English Version is better fitted for the context of the passage.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
AndΚαὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.grewπροέκοπτεν(proekopten)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4298:From pro and kopto; to drive forward, i.e. to advance.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.wisdomσοφίᾳ(sophia)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4678:Wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence. From sophos; wisdom.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.stature,ἡλικίᾳ(hēlikia)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2244:Age, term of life; full age, maturity; stature. From the same as helikos; maturity.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.in favorχάριτι(chariti)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485:From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.withπαρὰ(para)Preposition
Strong's 3844:Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.GodΘεῷ(Theō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.man.ἀνθρώποις(anthrōpois)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.
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NT Gospels: Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature (Luke Lu Lk) 
