The Sixth Sunday in Epiphany

The idea of the 12 year old Jesus capturing the attention of the elders became a topic of interest for painters during the early 17th century for its dramatic appeall.  As seen in van Baburen’s painting, we have the elders closely gathered around the child Jesus.  Books are opened and the gestures show all manner of mixed emotions from hands extended and fingers pointing in irritation, to a scholar on Jesus’ left holding his chin deep in contemplation.  The elders are in sharp contrast to the calm and peaceful Jesus as he patiently explains scripture to the experts. Christ Among the Doctors, Dirck van Baburen 1622, National museum of Art , Architecture and Design, Oslo, Norway

The law of Moses required all males to travel to Jerusalem and participate in three feasts each year: Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles.  According to Luke 2:41-52, Joseph and Mary regularly attended the Passover Feast and when Jesus was 12 years old they took him along.  Jesus’ family joined a caravan of other relatives and friends from Galilee / Nazareth, as protection from bandits and outlaws, and made the 75 mile trip from Nazareth to Jerusalem, probably 5 to 7 days.

Following the Passover Feast, they participated in the in the 7 day Festival of Unleavened Bread.  After the requisite sacrifices had been made and the festival events completed, the caravan reassembled and began the journey back to Nazareth. 

Traveling in a large group of friends and family, Joseph and Mary did not think it unusual to not see Jesus during the day, assuming he was with the other children in the caravan.  When it came time to stop for the night they realized that Jesus was not with the group.

Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem and found Jesus in the temple discussing theology with the priests and scribes (doctors), who were amazed to find someone so young with such a refined knowledge.  When asked why he was not traveling home he replied, “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

At the age of 12 Jesus is introduced to the scribes and priests.  Twenty years later they would be maneuvering for Jesus’ crucifixion.

Panini was one the most recognized figures in Rome during the early 18th Century.  Although know as an architect designing villas, chapels, and supporting structures, he was always sought after as a painter, principally frescos for villas and palaces.  Some of his paintings used a unique combination of Roman ruins as a backdrop for mystical and imaginary events.  Here we have such a combination as Panini paints Jesus as a young man speaking to the scribes and priest.  Shown from a distance, Jesus is the central figure while around him the crowd gathers, talking to each other and searching through their books following Jesus’ claims.    Jesus Among the Doctors, Giovanni Paolo Panini 1743, National Museum of Warsaw.