Q&A: Jesus likely knew his messianic identity by age 12 (Luke 2 temple incident), but what he knew before that is uncertain

The first recorded words of Jesus (Luke 2) show awareness of his unique relationship to God ("my Father's business") and messianic calling, at age 12. Whether Jesus had this consciousness earlier—as a toddler, infant, or in the womb—is uncertain. The complexity of the incarnation (fully human and fully divine) makes the question difficult: on the human side, a one-month-old knows nothing, but on the divine side some knowledge may have been present.