Matthew 2 20

Matthew 2:20 kjv

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.

Matthew 2:20 nkjv

saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead."

Matthew 2:20 niv

and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

Matthew 2:20 esv

saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."

Matthew 2:20 nlt

"Get up!" the angel said. "Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead."

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 20 Meaning

This verse conveys a direct divine command delivered by an angel in a dream to Joseph. It instructs him to "arise" (implying immediate action) and take the young child Jesus and His mother Mary to return to the "land of Israel." The crucial reason given for this return is that those who sought to take the young child's life—specifically King Herod the Great—are now dead, signaling that the immediate threat has passed and it is safe to return from Egypt. It signifies God's protective providence over His Son and the divinely appointed timing for their next move.

Matthew 2 20 Context

Matthew 2:20 occurs immediately following the Holy Family's exile in Egypt. This verse signals the divine instruction for their return, after a prior angelic warning (Matt 2:13) had prompted their flight from Bethlehem due to King Herod's murderous intent. It is the counter-command, triggered by Herod's death, which marks the end of Jesus' early childhood as a refugee. The historical context is crucial: Herod the Great's paranoia and cruelty were well-known, including the execution of his own family members. His death (historically around 4 BC) removed the immediate grave threat to the Messiah. The phrase "land of Israel" is a broad term that later allows Joseph, guided by further divine instruction (Matt 2:22-23), to settle in the safer region of Galilee (Nazareth), avoiding Herod's equally ruthless successor, Archelaus, who ruled Judea. This sequence underscores God's meticulous guidance and protection of Jesus from infancy, preparing Him for His future ministry within the promised land.

Matthew 2 20 Word analysis

• Saying (λέγων - legōn): A participle meaning "speaking" or "saying." It indicates the angel, having appeared in Joseph's dream, continued delivering this crucial message. This is part of a pattern in Matthew where divine guidance is communicated through dreams (Matt 1:20, 2:13, 2:19, 2:22).
• Arise (ἀναστὰς - anastas): A participial form, often used imperatively here, meaning "having arisen" or "rise up." It implies a prompt, decisive call to action, reflecting the urgency and immediacy of God's commands.
• take (παράλαβε - paralabe): An imperative verb meaning "take along," "receive," or "fetch." It emphasizes Joseph's responsibility to protect and bring Jesus and Mary with him.
• the young child (τὸ παιδίον - to paidion): The Greek diminutive for "child." This term consistently highlights Jesus' vulnerability and tender age throughout Matthew 2. It underscores the preciousness and helplessness of the one God is protecting.
• and his mother (καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ - kai tēn mētera autou): Emphasizes that both are under divine protection and need to be brought back together. Mary's role as Jesus' mother is significant; her safety is integral to Jesus' well-being.
• and go (καὶ πορεύου - kai poreuou): An imperative meaning "go on," "proceed," or "travel." This indicates the active journey to be undertaken.
• into the land of Israel (εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ - eis gēn Israēl): This broad geographical term designates the specific divinely appointed destination, the land of the covenant and the promised kingdom. It is general enough to allow for further specific divine direction (Matt 2:22) within the region.
• for (γάρ - gar): A conjunction signifying cause or reason. It directly introduces the justification for the return.
• they are dead (τεθνήκασιν - tethnēkasin): A perfect tense verb, "they have died." It highlights the completed, decisive nature of the event—Herod's death—removing the immediate threat. This refers primarily to Herod the Great, whose paranoia drove the initial attempt on Jesus' life.
• which sought (οἱ ζητοῦντες - hoi zētountes): A present participle meaning "the ones seeking" or "who are seeking." This describes the active, murderous intent that characterized Herod's persecution. Even in death, their past actions are characterized.
• the young child's life (τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου - tēn psychēn tou paidiou): "Psychē" here refers to the very essence of life, implying that they sought to kill the child. This phrase clearly states the genocidal objective of Herod.

Words-group analysis:

• "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go": This forms a concise and powerful divine directive. It is an immediate, actionable command involving specific individuals and a clear trajectory, demonstrating God's sovereign leading.
• "the young child and his mother": This recurring phrase in Matthew 2 emphasizes Jesus' human vulnerability and His need for protection through His parents, highlighting divine provision working through human means.
• "into the land of Israel": This signifies not just a physical return, but a return to the covenant land where the Messiah was to emerge, connecting His return from Egypt to the exodus theme and the destiny of God's people.
• "for they are dead which sought the young child's life": This provides the fundamental theological and practical justification for the return. It illustrates God's timing, sovereignty over rulers, and His unwavering commitment to preserving His Messiah from evil schemes. This clause directly parallels Exo 4:19 concerning Moses.

Matthew 2 20 Bonus section

• New Exodus Theme: The specific phrasing in Matt 2:20 strongly echoes Exo 4:19, where the Lord tells Moses to return to Egypt because "all the men who were seeking your life are dead." This parallelism deliberately casts Jesus as the "new Moses," leading a new "Exodus" and delivering a new covenant, affirming His Messianic identity as the ultimate deliverer for God's people.
• Dreams as Divine Communication: In Matthew's infancy narrative (Chapters 1-2), dreams serve as the primary mode of God's direct communication with Joseph (and by extension, the Holy Family), guiding their major life decisions—from accepting Mary to fleeing to Egypt and returning. This highlights God's personal involvement and guidance for those entrusted with His divine plan.
• God's Control over Kings: Herod's death, though a natural event, is framed by Matthew as an act of divine timing that cleared the way for Jesus' safe return. This subtly asserts God's sovereignty even over tyrannical earthly rulers, reinforcing that no human authority, however mighty, can thwart the divine purpose.

Matthew 2 20 Commentary

Matthew 2:20 vividly portrays God's meticulous protection over the Messiah and His providential timing. After a period of exile, mirroring Israel's sojourn in Egypt, God removes the specific threat (Herod's death) and signals a divinely orchestrated return. This event is not merely a logistical travel arrangement; it highlights the supremacy of God's plan over human evil. The phrase "land of Israel" emphasizes that Jesus' destiny lies within the covenant nation, ultimately setting the stage for His ministry among His people. Joseph's continued immediate obedience exemplifies a model of faith, acting decisively upon divine guidance. The careful safeguarding of "the young child" underscores the vulnerability and profound significance of Jesus' life from infancy. This passage reassures believers that God sovereignly dispatches and dissolves opposition for the fulfillment of His will.