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Uncover insights into Jesus’ awareness of his Messianic role and divine origin during his childhood. Navigate through biblical narratives and theological interpretations to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’ identity from a young age, as depicted in the Gospels.

The question of Jesus’ self-awareness during his childhood is a topic that has intrigued theologians and biblical scholars for centuries. The Bible provides subtle glimpses into Jesus’ early life, particularly in the Gospel of Luke, which serves as a primary source for this exploration.

The Infancy Narratives and Early Indications

The infancy narratives, specifically in the Gospel of Luke, provide the earliest indications of Jesus’ extraordinary nature. The annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38), the visit of the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20), and the presentation in the temple (Luke 2:21-40) all underscore the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth and early life. These events would have likely been part of Jesus’ familial tradition, possibly influencing his early understanding of his identity and mission.

Jesus at Twelve: A Significant Encounter

A critical event occurred when Jesus was twelve years old. During a Passover visit to Jerusalem, Jesus stayed behind in the temple, engaging in discussions with the teachers, astonishing them with his understanding and answers (Luke 2:41-52). When his parents found him, Jesus said, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Jesus was “sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and questioning them.”

Question, Ask Question: (ἐπερωτάω eperōtaō; ἐρωτάω erōtaō; akin to ἔρομαι eromai) The Greek word eperotao, which means to ask, to question, to demand of, for “questioning” was far more than the Greek word erotao, which meant to ask, to request, to entreat, such as a boy’s curiosity. Eperotao refers to questioning, which one might hear in a judicial hearing, such as a scrutiny, inquiry, counter questioning, even probing question, a sort of interrogation. “After three days they [Joseph and Mary] found him [12-year-old Jesus] in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and questioning (eperotao) them [Jewish religious leaders].” The Jewish religious leaders “were astounded.”—Matt. 16; 27:11; Lu 2:46; Mark 5:9.

This episode suggests that Jesus, even at a young age, had a profound sense of a unique relationship with God, whom he addressed as his Father. This is the first recorded instance where Jesus identifies God as his Father in a personal sense, hinting at his awareness of his divine sonship.

The Concept of Logos in John’s Gospel

The prologue of John’s Gospel identifies Jesus as the “Logos” (John 1:1), a term meaning “word” in Greek. John declares, “In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The concept of Logos embodies the pre-existent Christ, the second person of the Trinity, who became flesh in the person of Jesus (John 1:14).

While the Gospel accounts do not explicitly state when Jesus became aware of his pre-existent identity as the Logos, the Gospel of John consistently presents Jesus as having a clear awareness of his pre-existent identity and mission throughout his ministry.

The Silent Years and Beyond

The Bible is silent about the majority of Jesus’ early life, often referred to as the “silent years.” The next we hear of Jesus is at the beginning of his public ministry around the age of thirty (Luke 3:23). From the start of his ministry, Jesus demonstrated a clear awareness of his mission and identity, proclaiming the kingdom of God, forgiving sins, and referring to God as his Father.

Conclusion: A Matter of Faith and Inference

While the Bible does not provide explicit details about when and how Jesus came to understand his messianic role and divine origin, the available evidence suggests that Jesus demonstrated an early awareness of a unique relationship with God. As he matured and embarked on his public ministry, Jesus’ actions and teachings consistently affirmed his identity as the Messiah and the Son of God, pointing back to his eternal existence as the Logos. This understanding, however, involves an element of faith and interpretation, as it delves into the mystery of the Incarnation: the divine becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).