THE ENIGMATIC SAYING “EN TOÎS TOÛ PATRÓS MOU” (LK 2:49C): A PROPOSAL FOR TRANSLATION

Abstract

This study aims to contribute to the discussion about the interpretation of the enigmatic saying “en toîs toû patrós mou” (Lk 2:49c) in the episode of Jesus at twelve years old (Lk 2:41-52), showing the importance of observing the original meaning of the Greek text, to gain a better understanding of the communicative intent of the gospel text. The exposition includes leading modern scholars of the Lucan Gospel, with indications of important Bible translations in various languages, and a brief analysis of the words oîkos and oikía, which correspond to the words “house”, “habitation”, “family” etc. in English, and its use as a metaphor for the “Father's house” (Temple), in order to discard this translation in favor of another, more open one, namely: “in my Father's things”. So, we support the hypothesis that Luke intended to write an ambivalent text as a narrative and communicative strategy, due to the reader's cooperation in updating the gospel text. In this way, the narrative would remain with an “open” ending to be filled by the reader throughout his reading of the Lucan Gospel.