Why Did Jesus Go to Jerusalem When He Was 12 Years Old?

The Bible tells us about Jesus going to Jerusalem a few times during his life on earth. But there are only two accounts recorded of Jesus entering Jerusalem when he was a child.

Jesus Went to Jerusalem Twice

To Be Circumcised as a Baby

The book of Luke tells us two stories of Jesus in Jerusalem during his childhood. In the first story, Jesus was a baby of eight days old. His parents took him to Jerusalem after he was circumcised as required by the Jewish law (Genesis 17:10 says that the descendants of Abraham must be circumcised).

Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem, presenting him to the Lord (Luke 2:21-40).

Joined the Annual Feast of Passover

In the second story, he entered Jerusalem at 12 years of age for the family’s annual Feast of Passover visit (Luke 2:41-51). Every year Jesus went to the Feast with his parents, family, and friends.

However, when his parents left to go home to Nazareth, he stayed behind in Jerusalem. When they found Jesus in the temple, he told them he needed to be in his Father’s house. He returned to Nazareth with his parents.

In the End

It is clearly conveyed that Jesus did not go to Jerusalem at the age of 12 to start his ministry but to attend the Feast of Passover.