PrevMatthew 2:19Next

Matthew 2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

What does Matthew 2:19 mean?

Explanation

This verse, Matthew 2:19, is part of the story detailing the early life of Jesus Christ, particularly the period shortly after his birth.

Following the visit of the Magi (Wise Men) who had come to pay homage to the newborn king, Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus are warned in a dream to flee to Egypt to escape King Herod's plan to kill the child.

They remain in Egypt until Herod's death.

The appearance of an angel of the Lord to Joseph in a dream signifies divine intervention and guidance.

The angel's message is clear: It is now safe to return to Israel because those who sought the child's life are now dead.

This is a call back to the land of their forefathers and a nod to the safety that it represents.

The "behold" emphasizes the suddenness and importance of the vision.

The verse suggests that God's protection over Jesus is paramount to his survival, thus ensuring the fulfillment of prophecy and divine plan. It provides a moment of relief and indicates a significant change in the holy family's circumstances, heralding a new chapter in Jesus's life.

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

At the time this verse was written, Judea was under Roman rule with Herod the Great as a client king.

Herod was known for his ruthlessness and paranoia, especially towards the end of his reign when he perceived threats to his throne.

The historical Herod died around 4 BCE, and his death prompted a restructuring of the regional governments under his sons, with Roman oversight.

The Gospel of Matthew was written in a Jewish-Christian context, aimed at an audience familiar with Hebrew scriptures.

The return from Egypt echoes the exodus story, drawing a parallel between Moses (who led the Israelites from Egypt) and Jesus (who also spent time in Egypt before beginning his ministry).

This parallel serves to present Jesus as a new Moses-like figure, a deliverer for his people.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Matthew 2:19 underscores the providence of God, which acts through angels to guide and protect the innocent. The angel's appearance in a dream to Joseph is part of a pattern in Matthew's Gospel, which frequently records God communicating through dreams.

Some theologians extract typological meanings, viewing Jesus' sojourn in Egypt and eventual return as a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, symbolically reenacting the drama of Israel's own history, specifically its deliverance from Egypt.

This verse equally demonstrates faith and obedience in divine direction. Joseph consistently heeds the angel's advice without hesitation, modeling submissive faithfulness that is central to Christian doctrine.

Practical Applications

Applying the teachings of Matthew 2:19 to daily life revolves around recognizing and responding to divine guidance.

It also speaks to the importance of patience and trust in the face of adversity.

As Joseph waited in Egypt for the angel's message, believers today can find comfort in trusting that God's timing in their lives will be perfect.

The concept of "return" after a period of waiting or trials may resonate with those who have experienced metaphorical or literal exile and are earnestly seeking a return to a place of safety, community, or spiritual wholeness.

Cross-References

Matthew 1:20 - "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."
Exodus 4:19 - "And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life."
Hosea 11:1 - "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."
Matthew 2:13-14 - "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
Revelation 1:1 - "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:"

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek language are significant in interpreting this verse:

"Angel of the Lord" (ἄγγελος Κυρίου) - An angel is often seen as a messenger from God.

The Greek word "ἄγγελος" (angelos) means "messenger."

"Appeareth" (φαίνω) - This term indicates appearing or becoming visible, often used in the context of divine or supernatural manifestations.
"A dream" (ἐν ὕπνῳ) – Dreams are considered mode of divine communication, as seen multiple times in the Bible.
"Dead" (τεθνηκώς) – This term refers to physical death.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The motif of dreams as a medium for divine messages is not exclusive to Christianity.

In many ancient cultures, dreams held significant importance as messages from the gods or the spiritual world.

Similarly, in ancient Egypt, dreams were often treated with great seriousness and occurring in distinct dream books.

The return from exile is also a common theme in many mythologies and religions, symbolizing rebirth, renewal, or the triumph of good over evil.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science acknowledges that dreams are a product of the mind's subconscious processes during sleep.

However, when it comes to dreams with purported supernatural or divine elements, these are not within the scope of scientific validation or refutation and are treated as aspects of personal belief or religious faith.

Scientific examination of the historical figure of Herod has been conducted through archaeological evidence, attempting to match biblical accounts with historical records and artifacts.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have addressed Matthew 2:19 over the years:

William Barclay suggests that this event is part of the pattern where Joseph consistently arose and obeyed the guidance given to him in dreams without hesitation.
John Calvin stresses the providence of God in directing Joseph's actions, protecting Jesus, and notes Joseph's obedience.
Craig S.

Keener in his commentary emphasizes that God's angel provides direction for Jesus's human guardians, incorporating elements of divine guidance and human response.

Matthew 2

Matthew 2

What does Matthew 2:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 2:19 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?