“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”
My Notes
What Does Luke 2:40 Mean?
Luke provides the only description of Jesus' childhood development in a single verse: "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." Four dimensions of growth are named: physical (grew), spiritual (strong in spirit), intellectual (filled with wisdom), and divine (grace of God upon Him). Jesus' development was holistic—no dimension was neglected.
The phrase "waxed strong in spirit" indicates spiritual growth—Jesus' inner life deepened over time. Even the Son of God experienced a process of spiritual maturation. He didn't arrive fully developed. He grew. The incarnation was genuine enough that Jesus experienced the actual process of human development, including the gradual strengthening of the spirit.
"The grace of God was upon him" describes an observable quality: people could see it. God's favor wasn't hidden inside Jesus—it was visible on Him. The grace sat upon Him like a garment, apparent to those who observed Him. Even as a child, something about Jesus communicated divine favor in a way that was recognizable.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Jesus grew in four dimensions: physical, spiritual, intellectual, and in grace. Which dimension of your own growth needs the most attention?
- 2.If even Jesus experienced a process of growth, what does that say about your own development—is it okay to be 'in process'?
- 3.God's grace was visibly 'upon' Jesus as a child. Is God's grace visible on you? Would others recognize it?
- 4.How do you develop holistically—growing in all four dimensions rather than overdeveloping one at the expense of the others?
Devotional
He grew. He got stronger in spirit. He was filled with wisdom. And God's grace was on Him—visibly, recognizably, unmistakably. In one verse, Luke describes how the Son of God developed: physically, spiritually, intellectually, and with evident divine favor. All four at once. Nothing neglected.
The fact that Jesus grew is itself remarkable. God in human flesh experienced the actual process of growing up—getting taller, getting stronger, learning things He didn't know before. The incarnation wasn't a costume. It was genuine humanity, experienced from the inside, including the slow, gradual process of human development that every child goes through.
"Filled with wisdom" suggests that wisdom increased in Jesus over time. He wasn't born with adult-level wisdom in an infant body. The filling was progressive. Each year brought more wisdom than the last. The Son of God learned—not in the sense of acquiring what He lacked, but in the sense of experiencing wisdom through the genuine process of human growth.
"The grace of God was upon him" is the detail that makes you pause. Even as a child—before any miracles, before any teaching, before any public ministry—something about Jesus was different. Something sat on Him that people could observe. The grace was visible. If you saw the child Jesus, you wouldn't necessarily know He was God incarnate. But you'd know something was on Him. Something unusual. Something that set Him apart. Something that looked like grace.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year,.... Joseph was obliged to go three times a year, as were all the males in…
Strong in spirit - In mind, intellect, understanding. Jesus had a human soul, and that soul was subject to all the…
The child grew - As to his body - being in perfect health.
Waxed strong in spirit - His rational soul became strong and…
Even when he humbles himself, still Christ has honour done him to balance the offence of it. That we might not be…
filled Rather, being filled. The growth of our Lord is here described as a natural human growth. The nature of the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture