Why did Jesus wait until he was 30 to teach people ?

Question

Someone has said that in my question of

What did jesus does in his first 30 years;
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuvSeLgZCR.dRFchztlT2B3ty6IX?qid=20070529032228AADIjwN

It is customary that a jew cannot become a Rabbi to age 30 and this is probably the reason why he took so long to start his minsitry so that he would be accpeted as one.

It is one of the possible, however , there is one point to note. He is not teaching Jews Religion, he is starting new religion. Does he really need to wait ?

My unacceptance of Histroical Jesus of Bible is nothing to do with my question. I'd assumed that Bible is 100% true. It's just the curious question.

Healthy contribution please.

Answer 1

I admit it is interesting why there is little of Jesus before he was 30. There is however a little babble about him preaching to some rabbis when he was 12 but it goes pretty quiet after that. I am curious of what happened in between.
There are some historians who through written records have matched a man who is described like Jesus travelling through Eastern Asia, India and Egypt learning the regions philosphies and religions. Suggesting Jesus was travelling in his young adult life learning about God, heaven and mans purpose.
Probably something for another discussion.

Answer 2

It was His mother, Mary, that actually had Him start at the wedding in Cana. Remember when they ran out of wine and she told the servants to bring Him water so He could turn it into wine. Jesus told her that that it wasn't His time, that His hour hadn't come. Yet Mary told Him it was time to start. This was His first miracle (or at least public miracle) and the beginning of His ministry.

I'm not sure about the Jewish law about teaching age. Yet the religious elders knew He was different when at 12 He was teaching them in the temple. This is the age when Jewish boys become men. Mary knew scripture as well, She was dedicated to the temple at the age of 3 or 4 by her parents and she learned scripture, so she would have taught Jesus at home during His childhood. Mary probably had a big part of Jesus' learning before His public ministry. And she traveled with Him the next 3 years as well. She dedicated her life to Him.

I personally don't know if there is a secret to why Jesus waited but it is all part of God the Father's plan and I think that what we should focus on. Peace!

Answer 3

I'm going to plead ignorance on the question of how old one has to be before he becomes a Rabbi. But Jesus was not intending to necessarily teach a new religion. He was intending to reform his religion - the Jewish faith. So Jesus was teaching Judaism. And He saw himself as an playing an important role in that.

As far as him waiting to be 30, he really did not wait. We have the story of Him teaching when He was younger. Some texts, though heretical for various reasons, have him teaching even younger than that...as a very young child. So it is likely he was teaching even before 30.

My GUESS on this is Jesus grew up as a carpenter. That is what Joseph was. So he was a carpenter, he studied Scriptures and his faith, and it was not until later that he decided to travel and spread his message.

30 is not an unusual age to decide to do something new. I moved to Taiwan when I was 29 to teach English here. I'm sure Jesus possibly had a similar experience at that age (Note: I'm not trying to say I'm Jesus. LOL Just we probably shared a similar experience)

So..yeah. That's my guess.

Matt

Answer 4

I'm not sure I agree with you that Jesus wasn't teaching Judaism. He was, after all, born a Jew and died a Jew, and was steeped in Jewish tradition.

Another possibility: perhaps it wasn't until age 30 that Jesus came to full knowledge of his identity and purpose. Perhaps that time of mystery from when he was 12 until he began to preach was a time of learning, living, and discovery. I have never understood how Jesus could have been fully human (a central tenet of the Christian faith) AND know from birth his identity and purpose. Isn't that a core part of the human experience, to struggle with questions of origin and destiny?

I maintain that Jesus's realization that he was the messiah happened during those intervening years, and that he struggled with this newfound realization until, at age 30, he was prepared to fulfill the mission for which he had been sent to earth.

(I could also, however, entertain the notion that Jesus didn't come to full knowledge of his true character until he was actually on the cross. Thoughts?)

Answer 5

"He is not teaching Jews Religion, he is starting new religion."

That's one of the places where you are making a mistake. Christianity is a continuance of the Jewish religion. I know, the Jewish people of today wouldn't agree with that statement but it's true. In the early days of Christianity it was a sect of Judaism known as "the way".

Acts 11:25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Jesus was a Jew living among Jews and He had to make allowances for the culture of the people. Just because the majority of the people did not recognize their Messiah does not mean that Jesus was starting a new religion.

Answer 6

Jesus was at 12, hearing and giving answers to the doctors in the temple (Luke 2:46-49)
Jesus himself says:
I was daily in the temple teaching -Mark 14:49.
I sat daily with you teaching in the temple -Matthew 26:55.
Do you see a pattern??
I will take the word of the apostles about where he was at that time, which you haven't guessed, is the temple.

Answer 7

He had to attend on others preparation. John had to initiate his challenge to ensure that Jesus to be baptized. as quickly as baptized Jesus ought to be shown by utilising the father and acquire the present of the Holy Ghost. He ought to acquire the Melchizedek priesthood and the keys of Moses and Elijah alongside the Peter, James and John. Hebrews 5:8 nevertheless he have been a Son, yet found out he obedience by utilising the flaws which he suffered; 9 And being made appropriate, he grew to become the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 called of God an severe priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Answer 8

I believe God was getting Him Ready. Jesus Knew what Was Coming However, He was a Human Body and Needed God's Wisdom to Face it "all". There was 18 Yrs. of Silence (from 12 yrs old t0 30) If God wanted us to know some things, He would Have told Us. I relate it to the way WE Have to go to School and College, to get prepared for our Duties. A New Religion? The OLD Testament is About Jesus coming and His Ministry. >>>New testament is all about His Coming, and Preaching and Teaching. I Just Thank God For Jesus, OUR Wonderful SAVIOR OF THE WORLD> + + +

Answer 9

The Bible is incomplete. The years between His birth and reappearance at 30 are basically missing (except for a short appearance at 12) and no one knows for sure exactly what He was doing during those years. He may very well have been teaching people. There have been various programs on channels like The History Channel, Discovery, etc. that speculate on his life during those missing years. But, how does anyone really know? We weren't there. All we can remember is that things are meant to happen in their own time. So, He began teaching exactly when he was supposed to start.

Answer 10

I think your assumption that He waited until age 30 to start to be correct. It would have been a lot easier for Him to teach using the Jewish traditions, as he was building upon then.

As for what He was doing His first 30 years, I think He was learning and preparing for His divine calling.