The Bible provides limited information about Jesus's life from birth until he was 12 years old. Here's what we know, primarily from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke:
* Birth:
* Jesus was born in Bethlehem to Mary, a virgin, who was betrothed to Joseph. (Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7)
* The birth was foretold by the angel Gabriel. (Luke 1:26-38)
* Shepherds visited him, guided by angels. (Luke 2:8-20)
* Wise men from the east visited, guided by a star, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-12)
* Early Childhood:
* Joseph was warned in a dream about Herod's intention to kill the baby Jesus. (Matthew 2:13)
* The family fled to Egypt and lived there for a time to escape Herod's persecution, which involved the slaughter of infants in Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:13-18)
* After Herod's death, the family returned to Nazareth in Galilee. (Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:39)
* At 12 Years Old:
* The family traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. (Luke 2:41)
* Jesus stayed behind in the temple without his parents' knowledge. (Luke 2:42-45)
* When they found him, he was in deep discussion with the teachers, astonishing them with his understanding and answers. (Luke 2:46-47)
* When Mary questioned him, Jesus responded that he had to be in his "Father's house." (Luke 2:48-49)
* Afterward, Jesus returned with his parents to Nazareth and was obedient to them. (Luke 2:51)
* The Gospel of Luke notes that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)
* Gospel Accounts and Interpretation:
* The Gospels focus on Jesus's ministry and teachings, rather than providing a detailed biography.
* The stories of his birth and the event at the temple serve to highlight Jesus's unique identity and relationship with God.
* There is some apocryphal literature (writings not included in the biblical canon) that attempts to fill in the gaps in Jesus's childhood, but these are not considered authoritative by most Christian denominations.
In essence, the biblical narrative is selective, emphasizing specific events that reveal Jesus's divine nature and foreshadow his future role as the Messiah.