Luke 2:48-49 But he replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” The King James Version says about my Father’s business.
Jesus had traveled to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. They went every year even though they were poor and it was a financial hardship for them.
History indicates that for a young man at age 12 this would have been his first time. But due to his advanced spiritual growth, Jesus had probably made this trip before. The families traveled with hundreds of relatives and neighbors on these journies and it was not uncommon for the younger members to travel with others in the group.
By dinner time of the first day of travel, Mary and Joseph must have asked each other “Where is Jesus?” Discovering he was not with the other, they asked around only to find he was not with any of them. They returned to Jerusalem to find him.
After three days of searching (symbolic of three days in the tomb?), they find him in the Temple sitting with the teachers and doctors of religion. After relief that he is safe, Mary scolds him for giving them such grief. Jesus response? Didn’t you know that I must be about my Father’s business?
Jesus is not being flippant or rebellious. He is stating that God is his Father now and he has a calling on his life. He is preparing Mary for what is to come.
Did Jesus disobey his parents? No. In Jewish culture, a boy becomes a man at 13 and Jesus is almost 13.
After this incident, Jesus went home and was subject to his parents until he began his ministry