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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 2:15 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 2:15 refers to the flight of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Egypt, which occurred after they were warned in a dream about King Herod's plan to kill Jesus.

This verse highlights the family's stay in Egypt until Herod's death and posits that this event was a fulfillment of a prophecy.

The verse underscores that the life of Jesus was inextricably linked with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

"Out of Egypt have I called my son" reflects both the historical event of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and foretells the return of Jesus, as the son of God, from Egypt to Israel.

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Historical Context

This verse is set during the reign of King Herod the Great, who ruled Judea under Roman authority. The historical context centers around Herod's brutal order to kill all male infants in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate the new "King of the Jews," whom the Magi had come to honor.

The verse cites a time when Joseph, following an angelic warning, takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt for their safety.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Matthew 2:15 presents a typology in which Jesus is seen as the new Moses or as Israel personified.

The original prophecy is found in Hosea 11:1, which referred to Israel as God's "son" called out of Egypt.

Matthew uses this verse to draw parallels between Israel's deliverance from Egypt and Jesus' return from Egypt, depicting Jesus as the embodiment of God's people and the fulfillment of God's salvation plan.

From a Christian theological standpoint, this move to Egypt and return can be seen as a symbolic reenactment of the Exodus, demonstrating Jesus' role as the deliverer. Critics, on the other hand, may view this as Matthew's use of prophetic fulfillment to establish Jesus' Messianic credentials.

Practical Applications

The application of Matthew 2:15 in daily life can serve to reinforce the idea that God's plans transcend time and circumstance. Believers can find comfort in the notion that adversity may serve a higher purpose and that divine protection is at work in the lives of those who trust in God's promises.

Cross-References

Hosea 11:1: "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."
Exodus 4:22-23: "And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn."

Language Study

The key phrase in this verse is "Out of Egypt have I called my son." In the original Greek, "Ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐκάλεσα τὸν υἱόν μου" (Ex Aigyptou ekalesa ton huion mou), the verb "ἐκάλεσα" (ekalesa), meaning "I have called," signifies an authoritative summons.

The term "υἱόν" (huion) means "son," denoting a filial relationship, and underscores the significance of Jesus as God's son in Christian theology.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of divine figures having to flee for their lives in early years parallels other ancient myths, such as the story of Dionysus in Greek mythology or the tale of Sargon of Akkad in Mesopotamian legend.

Both also involve the escape and preservation of a future significant figure from early death threats.

In a broader religious context, the idea of a divinely ordained return from exile can also be found in various traditions wherein a sojourn in another land results in a triumphant or significant return.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not typically intersect directly with biblical prophecies or narratives, as these are matters of faith rather than empirical inquiry.

The concept of a family seeking refuge in another country to escape political violence, however, does find parallels in sociological studies of refugees and the dynamics of asylum, which can provide insights into the human experience reflected in this event.

commentaries

Commentaries on Matthew 2:15 vary among biblical scholars.

Some assert that Matthew was intent on drawing connections between Jesus' life and Old Testament prophecies to establish Jesus as the Messiah to a Jewish audience.

Others point out the evangelist's use of typology as a teaching tool.

Conservative scholars tend to accept the historicity and prophetic fulfillment of the verse, while critical scholars may see it as a retroactive interpretation by Matthew to fit his theological aims.

Matthew 2

Matthew 2

What does Matthew 2:15 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 2:15 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?