Luke 2:44 (KJV)

Passage

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

Nearby Context

Luke 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

Luke 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

Luke 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

Luke 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

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

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "supposing", "been", "company", "went", "journey", "sought", "kinsfolk", and "acquaintance". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "supposing" and "been", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 43's "And when they had fulfilled the days..." into verse 45's "And when they found him not they...", so "supposing" and "been" 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 "supposing" and "been" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.