Did Jesus Progress? Understanding Luke 2:52

Luke 2:52 shows Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, but does that mean He had to progress into godhood? The Bible teaches that Jesus has always been fully God—eternal and unchanging.

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One of the most fascinating verses about Jesus’ early life is Luke 2:52:

"Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people." (NLT)

This verse raises an important theological question—did Jesus “progress” over time, even spiritually? Some people, including members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, see this as evidence that Jesus wasn’t always fully divine. According to LDS teaching, even God the Father was once a man who progressed to godhood, and Jesus followed a similar path. But what does the Bible actually say?

Let’s break it down and compare the LDS view with what Scripture really teaches about the eternal nature of Jesus Christ.

The LDS View: Jesus Progressed to Godhood

In LDS teachings, Jesus is seen as the “firstborn spirit child” of Heavenly Father and progressed to become like God. One key scripture cited is Doctrine and Covenants 93:12–14, which says:

“And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;
And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;
And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.” (D&C 93:12–14)

LDS leaders interpret this to mean that Jesus had to grow spiritually—receiving "grace for grace"—until He became divine. This supports the broader LDS belief that even God the Father was once a mortal man who progressed to godhood. As stated by former LDS President Lorenzo Snow:

“As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.”

This couplet summarizes a core tenet of Mormon theology—that God the Father and Jesus Christ both progressed from a mortal state to divine status. But this concept stands in contrast to the Bible's teaching about Jesus' eternal nature.

The Biblical View: Jesus Grew in His Humanity

Luke 2:52 shows that Jesus experienced real human development. He grew in body (“stature”), in mind (“wisdom”), in relationships (“favor with all the people”), and in His connection with God the Father (“favor with God”).

Jesus didn’t just appear out of nowhere as a fully grown man. He was born as a baby, raised in a family, and matured over time. This aligns with the Christian understanding of the incarnation—that Jesus, though fully God, also became fully human (John 1:14). Hebrews 2:17 says, “Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.”

So yes, Jesus “progressed” in His humanity, not in His divinity. He matured like any person would—because He was truly one of us.

Jesus Was Always Fully God

Here’s where the Christian understanding differs sharply from LDS teaching. While Jesus grew and learned in His human nature, He never stopped being God. From eternity, Jesus was—and is—fully divine.

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus didn’t have to “become” God. He didn’t earn it. He is God.

Philippians 2:6-7 explains that “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” Jesus laid aside His privileges—not His divine identity.

His Growth Shows His Willingness to Relate to Us

The fact that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature shows His humility and love. He chose to enter into the human experience completely, not just physically but also mentally and emotionally.

Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Jesus’ growth doesn’t mean He was ever lacking or imperfect. It means He was fully human in every way—except sin.

This matters because it means Jesus can truly sympathize with us. He knows what it’s like to grow, to learn, to struggle, and to trust God.

Jesus Did Not Progress to Godhood—He Always Had It

Some people point to verses like Luke 2:52 or D&C 93:12–14 to argue that Jesus “became” divine, as if He wasn’t God before. But Scripture is clear: Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). His divine nature didn’t evolve—it’s eternal.

The idea that Jesus had to progress to godhood is not found in the Bible. That idea comes from LDS scripture and teachings such as Lorenzo Snow’s couplet. In contrast, the Bible teaches that Jesus condescended, meaning He came down to our level to rescue us.

To go deeper on how Christians understand the eternal nature of God and the Trinity, check out pursueGOD.org/trinity. For more on systematic theology and the core doctrines of biblical Christianity, visit pursueGOD.org/systheo.