The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 9
Jesus at Twelve Among the Teachers
When Herod was dead, behold the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying: 'Return into Judaea, for they are dead that willed the death of the child.' Joseph therefore took the child with Mary (he having come to the age of seven years), and came to Judaea; whence, hearing that Archelaus, son of Herod, was reigning in Judaea, he went into Galilee, fearing to remain in Judaea; and they went to dwell at Nazareth. The child grew in grace and wisdom before God and before men.
Jesus, having come to the age of twelve years, went up with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem to worship there according to the law of the Lord written in the book of Moses. When their prayers were ended they departed, having lost Jesus, because they thought that he was returned home with their kinsfolk. Mary therefore returned with Joseph to Jerusalem, seeking Jesus among kinsfolk and neighbors. The third day they found the child in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them concerning the law. And every one was amazed at his questions and answers, saying: 'How can there be such doctrine in him, seeing he is so small and hath not learned to read?'
Mary reproved him, saying: 'Son, what hast thou done to us? Behold I and thy father have sought thee for three days sorrowing.' Jesus answered: 'Know ye not that the service of God ought to come before father and mother?' Jesus then went down with his mother and Joseph to Nazareth, and was subject to them with humility and reverence.
After Herod died, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: 'Return to Judea, for those who sought the child's death are dead.' Joseph therefore took Mary and the child, who had reached the age of seven, and returned to Judea. When he heard that Archelaus, the son of Herod, was reigning there, he was afraid to remain in Judea and went into Galilee. They settled in Nazareth, and the child grew in grace and wisdom before God and people.
When Jesus reached the age of twelve, he went up with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem to worship according to the law of the Lord written in the book of Moses. When their prayers were finished, they departed without Jesus, because they thought he had returned home with their relatives. Mary and Joseph therefore returned to Jerusalem and searched for him among their relatives and neighbors. On the third day they found the child in the temple, among the teachers of the Law, debating with them about the law. Everyone was amazed at his questions and answers, saying: 'How can he possess such doctrine when he is so young and has not learned to read?'
Mary rebuked him, saying: 'Son, what have you done to us? Your father and I have searched for you in distress for three days.' Jesus answered: 'Do you not know that the service of God must come before father and mother?' Jesus then went down with his mother and Joseph to Nazareth and obeyed them with humility and reverence.
When Herod was dead, behold the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying: 'Return into Judaea, for they are dead that willed the death of the child.' Joseph therefore took the child with Mary (he having come to the age of seven years), and came to Judaea; whence, hearing that Archelaus, son of Herod, was reigning in Judaea, he went into Galilee, fearing to remain in Judaea; and they went to dwell at Nazareth. The child grew in grace and wisdom before God and before men.
Jesus, having come to the age of twelve years, went up with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem to worship there according to the law of the Lord written in the book of Moses. When their prayers were ended they departed, having lost Jesus, because they thought that he was returned home with their kinsfolk. Mary therefore returned with Joseph to Jerusalem, seeking Jesus among kinsfolk and neighbors. The third day they found the child in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, disputing with them concerning the law. And every one was amazed at his questions and answers, saying: 'How can there be such doctrine in him, seeing he is so small and hath not learned to read?'
Mary reproved him, saying: 'Son, what hast thou done to us? Behold I and thy father have sought thee for three days sorrowing.' Jesus answered: 'Know ye not that the service of God ought to come before father and mother?' Jesus then went down with his mother and Joseph to Nazareth, and was subject to them with humility and reverence.