Every fifth man wore the robes of a rabbi, and was thus sure of his place in the Temple as one learned in the law.

Pharisees and Sadducees, two hostile parties in the interpretation of the law, talked together of tithes and tribute, or entered on lively disputes over the laws of the Scriptures, a subject on which they never agreed.
Joseph and Mary did not observe that others were quarrelling; they humbly obeyed the rules, and stood in a niche of the Holy Place and prayed.

But Jesus stood by the pillars and listened to the disputants with astonishment.
The next day they inspected the city as far as the crowds rendered it possible.

Joseph wished to visit the grave of his noble ancestor, and pushed through the crowds that filled the dark, narrow streets, noisy with buyers and sellers, donkey-drivers, porters, shouting rabbis, and an endless stream of pilgrims.

When they reached David's tomb Jesus was not with them.