Matthew 2:13-23
Warned by God in a dream, Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod’s massacre of infants in Bethlehem.
- Flight to Egypt:
- After the visit of the Magi, an angel warns Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus.
- This escape is prompted by King Herod’s intention to kill the infant Jesus, perceived as a threat to his reign.
- Slaughter of the Innocents:
- Herod, realizing the Magi deceived him, orders the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two.
- This tragic event fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah, known as the “weeping in Ramah,” regarding the mourning of mothers for their slain children.
- Return from Egypt:
- After Herod’s death, an angel instructs Joseph in another dream to return to Israel with his family.
- Joseph settles in Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.
2:13 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.
2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 2:15 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.
2:16 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 enquired of the wise men.
2:17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 2:18 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.
2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 2:20 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.
2:21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
2:22 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: 2:23 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.