Matthew 2 15

Matthew 2:15 kjv

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.

Matthew 2:15 nkjv

and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."

Matthew 2:15 niv

where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Matthew 2:15 esv

and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Matthew 2:15 nlt

and they stayed there until Herod's death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: "I called my Son out of Egypt."

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 15 Meaning

Matthew 2:15 explains that Jesus' stay in Egypt until the death of King Herod fulfilled a divine prophecy found in Hosea 11:1. This verse reveals God's providential care for His Son, Jesus, protecting Him from Herod's malice, and significantly portrays Jesus as the true Israel and the perfect Son, re-enacting the foundational experience of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. It underscores that events in Jesus' life were not coincidental but were part of God's predetermined plan to bring about the redemption of humanity.

Matthew 2 15 Context

Matthew 2:15 is deeply embedded within Matthew's narrative of Jesus' infancy, immediately following the angelic command to Joseph to flee to Egypt (Matt 2:13-14). This escape directly responds to Herod's malicious intent to kill the child, fueled by fear of a rival king (Matt 2:3-8). The preceding events involve the visit of the Magi, signaling Jesus' kingship to the Gentile world. The subsequent events, not explicitly detailed within the chapter but alluded to by "until the death of Herod," include the tragic "Massacre of the Innocents" in Bethlehem (Matt 2:16-18) and the eventual return to Nazareth (Matt 2:19-23). The entire chapter emphasizes God's sovereign protection over His Son against worldly opposition and consistently frames Jesus' early life events as deliberate fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies. For Matthew, a primary aim of his Gospel is to demonstrate that Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah who perfectly embodies and fulfills God's plan outlined in the Hebrew Scriptures. This specific verse highlights Jesus as the "true Israel," recapitulating and perfecting the historical narrative of the nation.

Matthew 2 15 Word analysis

• and was there (Καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ - kai ēn ekei): A simple past tense, indicating a definite period of residence or dwelling in Egypt. It conveys a duration, signifying that Jesus remained in Egypt for some time, providing refuge from danger. This stay was not merely a temporary stop but a secure period divinely ordained.

• until the death of Herod (ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς Ἡρῴδου - heōs tēs teleutēs Hērōdou): This phrase serves as a precise historical marker. "Herod" refers to Herod the Great, the Roman client king of Judea, infamous for his cruelty and paranoia, exemplified by his command to kill the infants in Bethlehem. His death, which occurred in 4 BC, signaled the end of the immediate threat to Jesus' life. This specific time frame emphasizes divine timing and providential control, as God ensured Jesus' safety until the danger had passed.

• that it might be fulfilled (ἵνα πληρωθῇ - hina plērothē): This is a crucial "fulfillment formula" common in Matthew's Gospel, a Greek purpose clause expressing divine intention. It signals that the events are not coincidental but intentionally orchestrated by God to align with His ancient promises. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over history and prophetic accuracy.

• which was spoken of the Lord (τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ κυρίου - to rhēthen hypo Kyriou): Indicates the divine origin and authority of the prophecy. The passive voice ("was spoken") emphasizes that God is the primary agent behind the pronouncement, lending it immutable truth and power.

• by the prophet (διὰ τοῦ προφήτου - dia tou prophētou): Refers specifically to Hosea, although the prophet is not explicitly named. The singular "prophet" points to a specific divine messenger, validating the antiquity and divine inspiration of the foretelling. It confirms that God communicated His plan through human instruments.

• saying (λέγοντος - legontos): Introduces the direct quote from the Old Testament.

• Out of Egypt (Ἐξ Αἰγύπτου - Ex Aigyptou): Directly references the pivotal Exodus event, where God called Israel, His chosen nation, out of slavery in Egypt. This geographical and historical link is central to the typology.

• have I called (ἐκάλεσα - ekalesa): An aorist tense verb in Greek, signifying a completed action in the past. God actively and decisively initiated the calling out. In Hosea 11:1, this refers to God calling corporate Israel out of Egypt.

• my son (τὸν υἱόν μου - ton hyion mou): The most theologically significant part of the quote.

  • In its original context in Hosea 11:1, "My son" refers to the nation of Israel, whom God cherished and redeemed from Egyptian bondage.
  • In Matthew 2:15, this title is applied to Jesus, implying a deeper fulfillment. Jesus, the personal Son of God, recapitulates the history of corporate Israel. He perfectly fulfills the divine ideal for sonship, embodying Israel's destiny. He is the true Israel whom God calls out of Egypt.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet": This entire phrase, typical of Matthew, acts as a hermeneutical key, guiding the reader to understand Jesus' life as the direct realization of divine plan announced through the prophets. It grounds Jesus' historical experiences firmly within God's unfolding redemptive history, presenting them not as mere historical accidents but as theological necessities for confirming His identity as Messiah.
  • "Out of Egypt have I called my son": This quote signifies a profound typological fulfillment. While Hosea 11:1 originally described God's act of bringing Israel out of slavery, Matthew presents Jesus' journey to and from Egypt as a new, higher Exodus. Jesus is depicted as the ultimate Son of God who perfectly embodies and recapitulates the entire experience of Israel, but without their failures. This journey marks Him as the 'new Israel', undergoing experiences parallel to His people's past, and ultimately becoming the one through whom God's purposes for Israel (and for humanity) would be perfectly achieved.

Matthew 2 15 Bonus section

Matthew's method of citing Old Testament scripture often involves what is known as "typological fulfillment" or "recapitulation." In the case of Hosea 11:1, Matthew is not merely suggesting a predictive prophecy where "Out of Egypt have I called My son" literally foretold Jesus' specific flight. Instead, he sees a pattern: just as God called His "son" Israel out of Egypt in the past, so He now calls His ultimate Son, Jesus, out of Egypt. This shows Jesus re-enacting the entire history of Israel, not just the Exodus. His later forty days in the wilderness (Matt 4:1-11) can also be seen as a re-enactment of Israel's forty years in the wilderness (Deut 8:2-3), where Jesus succeeds in perfect obedience where Israel failed. This theological connection affirms Jesus as the ideal and perfect Israel.

Matthew 2 15 Commentary

Matthew 2:15 underscores the divine orchestration of Jesus' life, revealing Him as the promised Messiah and the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. His flight to and return from Egypt under divine guidance directly recapitulates the nation of Israel's exodus experience, casting Jesus as the "true Israel" and God's quintessential Son. This typological fulfillment shows God’s active protection over His incarnate Son, bypassing Herod's futile attempts to thwart God's plan. It demonstrates that Jesus’ suffering and redemption mirror Israel’s own journey, yet His perfect obedience contrasts with their past failures. This verse is key to Matthew's argument for Jesus' Messianic claims and His identity as the long-awaited king and deliverer who accomplishes what ancient Israel could not, securing redemption not just for Israel but for all peoples.