Young Jesus Teaching at the Temple in Jerusalem

Young Jesus at the Temple

I always thought Jesus, being a Nazarene, would have had long hair by the time he was 12.  Remember that Jesus had traveled to Jerusalem with His parents.   When they were a day or two on their return journey His parents found that he was not with a relative.  It was common for kids to travel in the large group and be with relatives, cousins, aunt and uncle etc.  So Jesus' parents, well, his step father, Joseph and his mother Mary, were assuming that He was with extended family.  Then, to their surprise, He was not.  So, they traveled back to Jerusalem and found him after a few days.  He was in the Temple teaching the learned men.  HE knew more than they did and they were amazed at His knowledge.  When reprimanded He said, "I must be about my Father's business."  (He was not referring to carpentry.)