1 Infancy of Jesus Christ Chapter 21
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (apocryphal)

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ 21:1

AND when he was twelve years old, they brought him to Jerusalem to the feast; and when the feast was over, they returned.

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But the Lord Jesus continued behind in the temple among the doctors and elders, and learned men of Israel; to whom he proposed several questions of learning, and also gave them answers:

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For he said to them, Whose son is the Messiah? They answered, the son of David.

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Why then, said he, does he in the spirit call him Lord? When he saith, The Lord said to my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, till I have made thine enemies thy foot- stool.

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Then a certain principal Rabbi asked him, Hast thou read books?

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Jesus answered, he had read both books, and the things which were contained in books.

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And he explained to them the books of the law, and precepts, and statutes: and the mysteries which are contained in the books of the prophets; things which the mind of no creature could reach.

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Then said that Rabbi, I never yet have seen or heard of such knowledge! What do you think that boy will be?

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When a certain astronomer, who was present, asked the Lord Jesus, Whether he had studied astronomy?

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The Lord Jesus replied, and told him the number of the spheres and heavenly bodies, as also their triangular, square, and sextile aspect; their progressive and retrograde motion; their size and several prognostications; and other things which the reason of man had never discovered.

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There was also among them a philosopher well skilled in physic and natural philosophy, who asked the Lord Jesus, Whether he had studied physic?

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He replied, and explained to him physics and metaphysics.

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Also those things which were above and below the power of nature;

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The powers also of the body, its humours, and their effects.

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Also the number of its members, and bones, veins, arteries, and nerves;

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The several constitutions of body, hot and dry, cold and moist, and the tendencies of them;

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How the soul operated upon the body;

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What its various sensations and faculties, were;

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The faculty of speaking, anger, desire;

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And lastly the manner of its composition and dissolution; and other things, which the understanding of no creature had ever reached.

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Then that philosopher arose, and worshipped the Lord Jesus, and said, O Lord Jesus, from henceforth I will be thy disciple and servant.

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While they were discoursing on these and such like things, the Lady St. Mary came in, having been three days walking about with Joseph, seeking for him.

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And when she saw him sitting among the doctors, and in his turn proposing questions to them, and giving answers, she said to him, My son, why hast thou done thus by us? Behold I and thy father have been at much pains in seeking thee.

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He replied, Why did ye seek me? Did ye not know that I ought to be employed in my father's house?

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But they understood not the words which he said to them.

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Then the doctors asked Mary, Whether this were her son? And when she said, He was, they said, O happy Mary, who hast borne such a son.

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Then he returned with them to Nazareth, and obeyed them in all things.

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And his mother kept all these things in her mind;

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And the Lord Jesus grew in stature and wisdom, and favour with God and man.

1 Infancy of Jesus Christ Chapter 21