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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 2:22 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 2:22 belongs to the narrative of Jesus's early life in the New Testament.

Following the birth of Jesus, Joseph, his foster father, is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and the young Jesus to escape the murderous intents of King Herod.

After Herod's death, Joseph is told in another dream that it is safe to return to Israel.

However, upon hearing that Archelaus, Herod's son, reigns in Judea, Joseph fears for his family's safety.

The verse mentions that despite his initial concern, Joseph is again divinely guided through a dream to relocate to the region of Galilee, specifically to a town called Nazareth. This decision is influenced by the dangerous reputation of Archelaus and a desire to avoid potential risks.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of Matthew was written in a context where the audience was familiar with the historical figures mentioned.

Herod the Great was a Roman client king known for his extensive building projects as well as his tyrannical rule, and his death occurred around 4 BCE.

Archelaus, one of Herod's sons, inherited part of his father's kingdom, including Judea, but his rule was marked by cruelty and ineffectiveness, leading to his removal by the Roman emperor in 6 CE.

The Jewish population would have viewed his reign with anxiety and hostility.

Galilee, on the other hand, was ruled by another of Herod's sons, Herod Antipas, who was seen as a lesser evil compared to Archelaus.

Joseph's decision to settle in Galilee reflects the political and social realities of the time.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse demonstrates the concept of divine providence, where God is seen as actively engaged in guiding the lives of believers.

The consistent use of dreams as a medium of God's communication underscores the biblical theme that God reveals His will through various means.

Within Christian tradition, this passage is also seen as fulfilling the prophecies that the Messiah would come from Galilee, as mentioned in the Old Testament (e.g., Isaiah 9:1-2).

From a different angle, some theologians might interpret the cautious behavior of Joseph as an invitation to prudence and discernment.

While trusting in divine guidance, Joseph does not act recklessly but takes into account the political and social climate which could threaten his family.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, believers may reflect on this verse to stress the importance of seeking divine guidance for major life decisions.

Additionally, it can also speak to the necessity of being aware of one's surroundings and the current affairs that may influence one's life and decisions, combining spiritual trust with practical wisdom.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 31:15: Herod's massacre of the infants is seen as a fulfillment of this prophecy.
Hosea 11:1: Quoted in Matthew 2:15, it is used to associate Jesus' return from Egypt with Israel's exodus.
Isaiah 9:1-2: References Galilee of the nations, seen as a prophecy about Jesus' ministry beginning in Galilee.

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of the New Testament warrant exploration:

"Ἀρχέλαον" (Archelaon): Referring to Archelaus, specifically mentioning him by name to indicate the direct reason for Joseph's fear.
"ἐφοβήθη" (ephobēthē): Translated as "he was afraid," this verb indicates Joseph's fear or apprehension about settling in Judaea under Archelaus.
"κατ' ὄναρ" (kat' onar): Meaning "by dream," this underlines the method of divine communication used to steer Joseph's actions.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, dreams were considered significant conduits for divine messages.

For instance, in Mesopotamia and Egypt, dream interpretation was a developed practice, leading to decisions made by leaders and common people alike.

The biblical usage of dreams as God's channel of revelation fits within this wider ancient Near Eastern context.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology might interpret Joseph's dreams as his subconscious awareness of political dangers manifesting in dreams.

While there is no scientific evidence to support the divine inspiration of dreams, the brain's ability to process information and present it in the form of a dream is acknowledged by neuroscience.

Commentaries

Scholars and theologians provide various interpretations of this passage:

Traditionalist commentators often emphasize the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the divine guidance present in the narrative.
Historical-critical scholars might focus on the historical context, assessing the political landscape of Herod's dynasty and the text in light of first-century Palestine.
Some modern commentators discuss the psychological aspects of the passage, contemplating Joseph's mindset and the family's experiences as refugees.

Each perspective offers a distinct dimension to understanding Matthew 2:22, revealing multifaceted insights into Joseph's decision to relocate his family to Galilee and the divine involvement as presented in the Gospel narrative.

Matthew 2

Matthew 2

What does Matthew 2:22 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 2:22 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?