In Luke 2:49, the author stresses Jesus’ response to Mary’s inquiry about his whereabouts. Jesus’ answer is one of “must-ness.” Hendriksen notes that “the fact that his entire life was controlled by the divine ‘must’ (indicates that he) was in complete harmony with his own desire, dawned on the boy Jesus very early in life. Hendriksen concludes: “Whatever happens to Jesus is the realization of God’s eternal decree (NTC, 186).” Joel Green concurs by noting that the phrase “it is necessary” is employed regularly in Luke-Acts as “an indicator of salvation-historical necessity (NICNT, 156). The necessity of these events proves that the favor of God is upon the God-Man.
