Matthew 2 13

Matthew 2:13 kjv

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.

Matthew 2:13 nkjv

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him."

Matthew 2:13 niv

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

Matthew 2:13 esv

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."

Matthew 2:13 nlt

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 13 Meaning

Matthew 2:13 recounts how, immediately after the Magi's departure, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Jesus and Mary and flee to Egypt. This urgent command was given because King Herod intended to search for the young Child to kill Him, thus protecting the Messiah from the imminent danger.

Matthew 2 13 Context

Matthew 2:13 immediately follows the departure of the Magi, who, having worshipped the young Child Jesus, returned to their country by another way, having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod (Mt 2:12). This act of divine warning and obedience highlights a motif present throughout the infancy narrative. Herod, a paranoid client king under Roman rule, viewed any potential rival to his throne, even an infant, as a grave threat. His earlier inquiry to the chief priests and scribes about the Messiah's birthplace (Mt 2:4) and his deceptive request to the Magi to report back Jesus' whereabouts (Mt 2:8) underscore his sinister intentions. This verse marks the beginning of Joseph and Mary's enforced exile, a desperate flight necessary to protect God's Son from a monarch's murderous rage, setting the stage for the fulfillment of prophecy concerning Israel's call out of Egypt.

Matthew 2 13 Word analysis

• Now when they had departed (ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν, anachōrēsantōn de autōn): This phrase emphasizes the immediacy and consequence of the Magi's leaving, implying their departure directly triggered Herod's malice or divine intervention. The Greek word anachōreō often means to withdraw, retire, or go away, sometimes with the implication of secrecy or withdrawal from danger. Here it underscores the promptness of God's action to protect Jesus, as Herod's plans would soon be enacted.
• behold (ἰδοὺ, idou): A common interjection in Matthew's Gospel, especially regarding divine actions. It serves to draw the reader's attention to a significant event or divine disclosure about to unfold, highlighting the miraculous and God-orchestrated nature of what follows.
• an angel of the Lord (ἄγγελος Κυρίου, angelos Kyriou): Signifies a direct messenger from God, emphasizing the divine origin and authority of the message. Angels are crucial conduits of divine will throughout the Bible, frequently appearing in dreams, as seen earlier in Matthew's birth narrative (Mt 1:20).
• appeared to Joseph (φαίνεται τῷ Ἰωσὴφ, phainetai tō Iōsēph): This specific appearance to Joseph reaffirms his vital, God-appointed role as Jesus' earthly protector and guardian. It underscores God's personal involvement in guiding Joseph.
• in a dream (κατ’ ὄναρ, kat’ onar): Confirms dreams as a legitimate and frequently used medium for divine revelation in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament and within Matthew's infancy narrative (cf. Joseph's prior dream in Mt 1:20, and Pilate's wife's dream in Mt 27:19). It establishes the unquestionable source and authenticity of the instruction for Joseph.
• saying (λέγων, legōn): Introduces the angel's direct command, signaling immediate divine instruction for Joseph.
• Rise (Ἔγερθε, Egerthe): An imperative verb conveying urgency and the need for prompt action. Joseph is commanded to take immediate and decisive steps.
• take the young Child (παραλαβὲ τὸ παιδίον, paralabe to paidion): Joseph's primary charge is the safety of Jesus. Paidion denotes a young child, indicating Jesus is no longer an infant, fitting the timeframe after the Magi's visit and likely subsequent weeks or months.
• and His mother (καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ, kai tēn mētera autou): Mary is included in the command, acknowledging her inseparable bond and the need for her protection alongside Jesus. This ensures the safety of the entire Holy Family unit.
• and flee to Egypt (καὶ φεῦγε εἰς Αἴγυπτον, kai pheuge eis Aigypton): This is a direct command to escape, implying urgency and danger. Egypt, ironically a place of Israel's ancient bondage, now becomes a place of refuge for the new "Son of Israel," fulfilling a prophetic echo and signifying God's ability to use any place for His purposes. It was outside Herod's jurisdiction but a well-established route with a large Jewish diaspora.
• and remain there (κἀκεῖ ἴσθι, kakī isthi): Emphasizes a prolonged stay, indicating that the threat from Herod was significant and not quickly passing. Joseph must await further divine instruction before returning.
• until I bring you word (ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι, heōs an eipō soi): Highlights the complete reliance on divine guidance for the duration of their stay and their eventual return. Joseph's obedience is absolute and dependent on God's timing.
• for Herod is about to search for the young Child (μέλλει γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ζητεῖν τὸ παιδίον, mellei gar Hērōdēs zētein to paidion): This phrase reveals the immediate, looming danger and provides the clear reason for the drastic action of flight. "Is about to" implies imminence, emphasizing the need for haste.
• to destroy Him (τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτό, tou apolesai auto): The malevolent intent of Herod is clearly stated. This highlights the severe threat to the young Messiah's life, and consequently, to God's redemptive plan, underscoring the necessity and effectiveness of God's pre-emptive intervention.

Matthew 2 13 Bonus section

The seemingly paradoxical act of God leading His Son into Egypt, the symbolic land of slavery and opposition in Israel's history, instead of immediately protecting Him in the promised land, reinforces several deep theological truths. It signifies that God's plan is not limited by human logic or geographical boundaries. It further underscores the profound identification of Jesus with the history of Israel – recapitulating the nation's experience from descent to "exodus." This narrative subtly prefigures the theme of suffering and vulnerability that would characterize the Messiah's path to glory, demonstrating that even at His inception, Jesus was pursued by the forces of evil. The precise timing of the angel's warning – immediately after the Magi's departure – suggests God's intricate orchestration, connecting various seemingly disparate events (the Magi's visit, Herod's reaction, the flight) into a single, cohesive narrative of divine preservation. Joseph's swift and silent compliance is paramount; his active obedience is the human lynchpin through which God's protective grace flows for the Messiah and His mother.

Matthew 2 13 Commentary

Matthew 2:13 presents a pivotal moment in the infancy narrative, illustrating God's proactive and precise protection of His Son. Through an angelic dream to Joseph, the divine plan of salvation is safeguarded from Herod's violent malice. This narrative stands in stark contrast to human earthly power, showcasing God's sovereign control over even the wicked intentions of rulers. Joseph's character shines through in his unquestioning obedience to this radical command, abandoning home and security to become a refugee. The flight to Egypt is rich in Old Testament typology: just as Israel went down to Egypt during a famine and was later called out, so too does Jesus, the true Israel and the ultimate "Son," find refuge there before His subsequent return. This period underscores Jesus' identification with His people's experience of exile and deliverance, preparing Him for His ministry as the suffering Servant and deliverer. It teaches unwavering trust in divine direction and the often circuitous path God uses to achieve His eternal purposes, even through moments of danger and displacement.