2:48a

When His parents saw Him, they were astonished: The text does not tell the reason why Jesus’ parents were astonished. They were probably amazed that he was speaking with the teachers. It was not normal for a child of Jesus’ age to be in a group of such teachers and to speak with them about religious matters.

astonished: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as astonished is a strong word. It is a different word from the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “astounded” in 2:47, but the meaning is very similar. Some other ways to translate this word are:

they were overwhelmed (NET Bible)
-or-
they were shocked (God’s Word)
-or-
They were overcome (New Jerusalem Bible)

2:48b

Child: When Mary addressed Jesus as her Child, she was using a term of affection that a mother would use. Use a natural term in your language.

why have You done this to us: This question can be interpreted in two ways:

(1) As a real question that expects an answer.

(2) As a rhetorical question that does not seek an answer.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Mary wanted Jesus to answer her, and Jesus did answer Mary’s question.

Although this question is real, it is also like a rhetorical question because it expresses Mary’s surprise and distress. Mary implied that Jesus should not have stayed behind in Jerusalem without telling her or Joseph.

There are several ways that you can translate this:

• As a question. For example:

why have you done this to us? (Good News Translation)

• As a request from Mary for Jesus to explain his actions. For example:

explain to us why you have treated us like this.

• As a statement that expresses surprise or mild rebuke. For example:

what you did ⌊has upset/worried⌋ us.
-or-

⌊I do not understand⌋ why you have treated us like this.

Mary was seeking an answer, and she was also expressing surprise and/or mild rebuke. Translate this in the way that is most natural in your language.

2:48c

anxiously searching for You: The phrase anxiously searching for You means that Joseph and Mary had been looking hard to find Jesus. They had worried about him.

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