The Eighteen Year Gap

[saturneptune]

This is pure speculation, but the subject fascinates me, and there are a lot of folks on this board who are very well versed in extra Biblical writings. Do you think Jesus stayed in the local area He was born and preached? Do you think He traveled some distance during those years? What about miracles that are not recorded? I have always wondered if the verse John says that not all of the books in the world would record all He had done was a hint?

 

[Rippon]

Don't follow Mormon bunk. They try to fill in the gaps too. It is utter nonsense. Be content to rest in what the Scripture reveals. Do not speculate.

 

[Herald]

The only insight scripture gives us is, "and He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them..." (Luke 2:51). Being in subjection to His parents would have meant He was in the presence of His parents. Other than that speculation provides no useful benefit IMHO.

 

[Revmitchell]

Luk 2:51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. (ESV)

 

[Revmitchell]

hupotassō
hoop-ot-as'-so
From G5259 and G5021; to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.

 

[quantumfaith]

Don't follow Mormon bunk. They try to fill in the gaps too. It is utter nonsense. Be content to rest in what the Scripture reveals. Do not speculate.

Rip, your comment reminds me of a quote I like:

The cure for boredom is curiosity....There is no cure for curiosity.

 

[kyredneck]

...The cure for boredom is curiosity....There is no cure for curiosity.

'There is no such thing as a stupid question but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots.' origin Mark Twain

 

[Alive in Christ]

There are many that believe that Christ traveled to the British Iles, and parts of China. (0r some other place, cant remembre for shure)

I will try to find something on the net and post...

 

[Alive in Christ]

Here you go..


http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unknown_years_of_Jesus

 

[Steadfast Fred]

Since the Bible states that the "water into wine" miracle was the "beginning of miracles" I would have to say there were no other miracles performed by Jesus prior to that.

 

[beameup]

Jn 2:3-4 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
Jesus was waiting for his heavenly Father to instruct him to start his ministry. He only performed this miracle at the insistence of his mother.

 

[michael-acts17:11]

I would surmise that He lived a rather normal life, working His trade to provide for the family. I doubt He could have been picked out of a crowd as a special person during those years.

 

[convicted1]

The bible doesn't say what He did betwixt the ages of 12-30, and neither will I......

 

[robycop3]

Michael came close to what I believe also. Evidently He learned the carpenter's trade, and lived a normal, uneventful life until He began His ministry. The other Nazarenes knew Him, knew He was a carpenter.

Remember, at the wedding where he turned water into wine, Mary instructed the hired help to do anything He said, even if it seemed a little bizarre. At that time, mary knew He was more than just a mere man, even though she didn't yet understand FULLY who He was.

 

[TCassidy]

In all probability Joseph as quite a bit older than Mary. As he is never mentioned during Christ's public ministry it is probable he died, possibly soon after the incident of Jesus teaching in the Temple when he was 12.

For those 18 years, Jesus, as the eldest son, probably took responsibility for supporting his mother and younger siblings. By the time he was 30 his siblings would have all been adults able to support themselves.

Only his mother would have continued to need support and it appears that, at least part of the time, she accompanied Jesus during his earthly ministry. When not with him she may have been in the homes of her other children.

 

[agedman]

In all probability Joseph as quite a bit older than Mary. As he is never mentioned during Christ's public ministry it is probable he died, possibly soon after the incident of Jesus teaching in the Temple when he was 12.

For those 18 years, Jesus, as the eldest son, probably took responsibility for supporting his mother and younger siblings. By the time he was 30 his siblings would have all been adults able to support themselves.

Only his mother would have continued to need support and it appears that, at least part of the time, she accompanied Jesus during his earthly ministry. When not with him she may have been in the homes of her other children.

Thomas,

It is good to see you still in the land of this living!

I consider your post most accurate.

I would call attention to the Cross where Jesus placed Mary into the charge of John. It was not until after the cross that at least one member of the step siblings became a believer.

Jesus was definitely the head of the home and as the eldest was Mary's authority. What a great mother she was!

 

[Steadfast Fred]

In all probability Joseph as quite a bit older than Mary. As he is never mentioned during Christ's public ministry it is probable he died, possibly soon after the incident of Jesus teaching in the Temple when he was 12.

For those 18 years, Jesus, as the eldest son, probably took responsibility for supporting his mother and younger siblings. By the time he was 30 his siblings would have all been adults able to support themselves.

Only his mother would have continued to need support and it appears that, at least part of the time, she accompanied Jesus during his earthly ministry. When not with him she may have been in the homes of her other children.

are we to surmise that Jesus' siblings were all born sometime after He was twelve years old. Since there was no mention of them in Luke 2 where we read about Mary and Joseph searching for Him?

 

[agedman]

are we to surmise that Jesus' siblings were all born sometime after He was twelve years old. Since there was no mention of them in Luke 2 where we read about Mary and Joseph searching for Him?

I suppose you could assume that thinking, but I have seen many parents searching for siblings while hanging on to little hands and holding onto little bundles.

I really doubt Joe waited around for over a decade before consummating the marriage, don't you?

 

[Steadfast Fred]

I suppose you could assume that thinking, but I have seen many parents searching for siblings while hanging on to little hands and holding onto little bundles.

I really doubt Joe waited around for over a decade before consummating the marriage, don't you?

I am sure he didn't wait. But consummation does not always result in children right away Hannah went childless even though she was married... That is, until God answered her prayer.