Matthew 2:19 kjv
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Matthew 2:19 nkjv
Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Matthew 2:19 niv
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
Matthew 2:19 esv
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Matthew 2:19 nlt
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.
Matthew 2 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 2:13 | "when Herod was about to search for the Child to destroy Him, the angel... | Angel instructs Joseph to flee to Egypt. |
| Matt 2:14-15 | "he got up, took the Child and His mother by night and left for Egypt..." | Joseph's immediate obedience to flee. |
| Matt 2:16-18 | "Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked... sent and killed all..." | Herod's infanticide of Bethlehem children. |
| Matt 2:20 | "get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel..." | Direct continuation of the angelic command. |
| Matt 2:21 | "So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land." | Joseph's prompt obedience to return. |
| Matt 2:22 | "he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned by God in a dream..." | Divine guidance to specific location (Galilee). |
| Exod 4:19 | "Now the Lord said to Moses in Midian, 'Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.'" | Striking parallel: God removing threat for His chosen one. |
| Hos 11:1 | "Out of Egypt I called My son." | Prophecy fulfilled by Jesus's return. |
| Gen 37:5-9 | "Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers..." | God communicating through dreams (OT example). |
| Job 33:15-17 | "In a dream, a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men... that He may turn man aside from his conduct." | God speaking through dreams for guidance. |
| Num 12:6 | "If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, will make Myself known to him in a vision, I will speak with him in a dream." | Divine communication methods. |
| 1 Sam 3:15 | "Samuel lay down until morning... he was afraid to tell Eli the vision." | God revealing Himself through visions/dreams. |
| 1 Kgs 11:40 | "Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam rose up and fled to Egypt... until the death of Solomon." | Parallel to an enemy's death signaling safety to return. |
| Ps 105:14-15 | "He permitted no one to oppress them, and He rebuked kings for their sakes: 'Do not touch My anointed ones!'" | God's protection of His chosen/anointed. |
| Prov 16:9 | "The mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." | God's sovereign guidance and direction. |
| Ps 37:23-24 | "The steps of a person are established by the Lord... though he falls, he will not be cast headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." | God's steadfastness in upholding His people. |
| Ps 37:32-33 | "The wicked watches the righteous and seeks to kill him. The Lord will not abandon him to his power." | God's ultimate deliverance from evil intentions. |
| Isa 46:10 | "Declaring the end from the beginning... 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.'" | God's sovereignty and predetermined plan. |
| Heb 1:1 | "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways," | God's diverse methods of communication. |
| Gen 50:20 | "You planned evil against me; but God planned it for good..." | God using human evil for His redemptive plan. |
Matthew 2 verses
Matthew 2 19 Meaning
Matthew 2:19 marks a turning point in the early life of Jesus, signifying the end of the Holy Family's exile in Egypt. Upon the death of Herod the Great, the immediate threat to the infant Jesus's life was removed. God, through an angel, again communicates with Joseph in a dream, directing him to return with Mary and Jesus to the land of Israel. This verse underscores God's active protection and precise timing in guiding His Son and family, removing obstacles that hindered His divine plan.
Matthew 2 19 Context
This verse is situated immediately after Matthew's account of the Massacre of the Innocents (Matt 2:16-18) in Bethlehem, a direct consequence of Herod's attempt to eliminate the newborn King. Joseph, having previously been warned in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape Herod's wrath, diligently obeyed (Matt 2:13-15). Matthew 2:19 then announces the crucial development that renders the family's exile unnecessary: the death of Herod the Great, the oppressor. This historical event, typically dated around 4 BCE, removes the immediate mortal danger, allowing the divine plan for Jesus to proceed to the next stage in Israel, eventually leading to his public ministry. The verse continues the narrative thread of divine intervention and guidance that characterizes the infancy narratives in Matthew.
Matthew 2 19 Word analysis
- But (Δὲ - De): This conjunction marks a strong transition. It signals a shift in events, contrasting the previous situation of danger and exile with the new opportunity for return. It highlights divine intervention bringing about this change.
- when Herod (τοῦ δὲ Ἡρῴδου - tou de Hērodou): Refers specifically to Herod the Great, the ruthless Judean king who sought to kill the newborn Messiah. His identity is central to understanding the immediate threat that necessitated the flight to Egypt.
- was dead (τελευτήσαντος - teleutēsantos): A vivid aorist participle indicating a completed action. His death is presented as a decisive, divinely timed event that entirely alters the circumstances. It signifies the end of the persecution.
- behold (ἰδοὺ - idou): This interjection serves to draw immediate attention to what follows. It frequently introduces a divine appearance or a significant divine act, emphasizing that what is about to happen is from God. It imparts a sense of urgency and importance.
- an angel of the Lord (ἄγγελος Κυρίου - angelos Kyriou): This precise phrase indicates a divine messenger sent directly by God. This same messenger has appeared to Joseph twice before (Matt 1:20; 2:13), consistently delivering God's specific commands and guidance regarding Jesus. It emphasizes the direct, unambiguous nature of the instruction.
- appeared (φαίνεται - phainetai): To become visible or known. This verb suggests a supernatural manifestation, making God's will known in a clear and discernible way to Joseph. It conveys the active nature of divine revelation.
- in a dream (κατ’ ὄναρ - kat' onar): This specifies the medium of divine communication. Consistent with previous instances for Joseph (Matt 1:20; 2:13; 2:22), dreams were a recognized channel for God to speak in both Old and New Testaments. It highlights Joseph's spiritual receptivity.
- to Joseph (τῷ Ἰωσὴφ - tō Iōsēph): Once again, Joseph is the recipient of divine instruction. This emphasizes his pivotal role as the chosen guardian and obedient earthly father figure for Jesus, faithfully carrying out God's plan. His actions are key to safeguarding Jesus.
- in Egypt (ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ - en Aigyptō): This confirms their location at the time of the revelation, completing the cycle of the family's sojourn and underscoring the miraculous fulfillment of prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My son" (Matt 2:15, Hos 11:1).
- "But when Herod was dead, behold": This opening phrase establishes a clear causality. The removal of the external threat (Herod) directly precedes and enables the next divine command, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over human rulers and historical events. God's timing is perfect.
- "an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt": This longer phrase reiterates God's direct, personal, and consistent communication with Joseph. It confirms the location and the spiritual medium through which divine will is transmitted, underscoring Joseph's active participation in God's redemptive narrative through his obedience.
Matthew 2 19 Bonus section
- Theology of Divine Orchestration: This verse demonstrates that even seemingly secular historical events like a king's death are under God's sovereign control and can be directly utilized to advance His sacred purposes, particularly in the unfolding of Christ's life.
- Echoes of Exodus: The wording directly echoes the Lord's instruction to Moses in Exod 4:19 to return to Egypt because "all the men who were seeking your life are dead." This parallel positions Jesus as the "new Israel" and "new Moses," brought out of Egypt by divine protection and command, mirroring the formative narrative of God's chosen people.
- Joseph's Consistent Obedience: Joseph is shown to be a prime example of faithful obedience throughout Matthew's infancy narrative (Matt 1:24; 2:14; 2:21; 2:22). His immediate and unquestioning response to four divine dream commands underlines his trust in God's will and his crucial role in God's salvific plan.
Matthew 2 19 Commentary
Matthew 2:19 encapsulates the meticulous and sovereign care of God over His Son. The seemingly opportune death of Herod the Great is not a mere coincidence but a divinely orchestrated event, opening the way for the Holy Family's safe return from Egypt. This verse reinforces Matthew's consistent portrayal of Joseph as the obedient, righteous man who faithfully responds to God's directives given through angelic dreams. It reassures believers of God's perfect timing and His protective hand over those He has chosen for His purposes, even in the face of grave danger. The narrative moves from a necessary exile to a divinely guided return, emphasizing that obstacles to God's plan are always within His control.