Can you explain Jesus' development?
Introduction. The scripture cited is Luke 2: 52. The verse reads, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." The verse has many profound nuances, but I shall attempt to generally explain the verse.
"Jesus increased in wisdom and stature..." There are similar descriptions regarding John the Baptist and Samuel (Luke 1: 80, 1 Sam. 2: 26). However, "wisdom" is omitted. Wisdom is knowledge, especially the application of knowledge. Hence, wisdom is the "the principle thing" (Prov. 4: 7). Jesus possessed wisdom. Some asked regarding Jesus, "Whence hath this man this wisdom" (Matt. 13: 54). "Stature" appears to address Jesus' physical development.
"...increased in favour with God..." Jesus was never out of favor with God (Heb. 4: 15). His very meat was to do the will of his Father (John 4: 34). When Jesus was baptized and at his transfiguration, the Father audibly declared his pleasure and favor of his Son (Matt. 3: 17, 17: 5).
"...increased in favour with ... man." Jesus was not an isolationist. One scholar comments: "The boy grew into youth, and the young man into manhood, and his purity and holiness 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 and antagonism bitter in proportion to their previous admiration."
Jesus' birth and entrance into the world was not typical. He was born of a virgin (Matt. 1: 23), and was God among men (vs. 23). The gospels mainly concern his ministry (age 30-33). We sometime forget that while Jesus was God; he was also man (Heb. 1, 2). Luke 2: 52 provides us with limited insight into the silent eighteen years (age 12 through 30). Luke 2: 52 also addresses his humanity.
"Jesus increased in wisdom and stature..." There are similar descriptions regarding John the Baptist and Samuel (Luke 1: 80, 1 Sam. 2: 26). However, "wisdom" is omitted. Wisdom is knowledge, especially the application of knowledge. Hence, wisdom is the "the principle thing" (Prov. 4: 7). Jesus possessed wisdom. Some asked regarding Jesus, "Whence hath this man this wisdom" (Matt. 13: 54). "Stature" appears to address Jesus' physical development.
"...increased in favour with God..." Jesus was never out of favor with God (Heb. 4: 15). His very meat was to do the will of his Father (John 4: 34). When Jesus was baptized and at his transfiguration, the Father audibly declared his pleasure and favor of his Son (Matt. 3: 17, 17: 5).
"...increased in favour with ... man." Jesus was not an isolationist. One scholar comments: "The boy grew into youth, and the young man into manhood, and his purity and holiness 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 and antagonism bitter in proportion to their previous admiration."
Jesus' birth and entrance into the world was not typical. He was born of a virgin (Matt. 1: 23), and was God among men (vs. 23). The gospels mainly concern his ministry (age 30-33). We sometime forget that while Jesus was God; he was also man (Heb. 1, 2). Luke 2: 52 provides us with limited insight into the silent eighteen years (age 12 through 30). Luke 2: 52 also addresses his humanity.