Luke 2:45 (DBY)

Passage

and not having found him they returned to Jerusalem seeking him.

Nearby Context

Luke 2:43 and had completed the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and his parents knew not [of it];

Luke 2:44 but, supposing him to be in the company that journeyed together, they went a day's journey, and sought him among their relations and acquaintances:

Luke 2:45 and not having found him they returned to Jerusalem seeking him.

Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers and hearing them and asking them questions.

Luke 2:47 And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "having", "found", "returned", "jerusalem", and "seeking". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "having" and "found", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 44's "but supposing him to be in the..." into verse 46's "And it came to pass after three...", so "having" and "found" belong inside that flow. In Luke context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "having" and "found" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.