## When they did not find him ## "When Mary and Joseph did not find Jesus" ## It came about that ## This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here. ## in the temple ## This could be translated as "in the temple courtyard" or "at the temple." ## in the middle of ## This does not mean the exact center. Rather, it means "among" or "together with" or "in the midst of" (UDB). ## the teachers ## "the religious teachers" or "those who taught people about God" ## at his understanding ## This could be translated as "at how much he understood" or "that he understood so much about God." ## his answers ## This could also be translated as "at how well he answered them" or "that he answered their questions so well."