Matthew 2 21

Matthew 2:21 kjv

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:21 nkjv

Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:21 niv

So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:21 esv

And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:21 nlt

So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother.

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 21 Meaning

Matthew 2:21 describes Joseph, in direct obedience to divine instruction, rising and taking the young child Jesus and His mother Mary to return from their refuge in Egypt into the promised land of Israel. This act signifies the end of their period of exile, the secure re-establishment of the Holy Family under divine protection within God's chosen territory, and marks a crucial step in the unfolding of Jesus' early earthly life and ministry.

Matthew 2 21 Context

Matthew 2 follows the birth narrative of Jesus, immediately establishing His identity as the Messiah and linking Him to Israel's prophecies. The chapter details the adoration of the wise men, King Herod's deceptive plot against the "king of the Jews," Joseph's miraculous escape with Mary and Jesus to Egypt (v. 13-15), the horrific slaughter of the innocent children by Herod (v. 16-18), and then the news of Herod's death (v. 19-20). Verse 21, therefore, serves as the critical transition point where the forced exile in Egypt concludes. It depicts Joseph's immediate and faithful action to obey God's command to return, setting the stage for the family's resettlement and Jesus' formative years within the covenant land. The ultimate settlement in Nazareth, guided by further divine instruction (v. 22-23), emphasizes continued divine providence and the meticulous fulfillment of all prophetic details concerning the Messiah.

Matthew 2 21 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple but significant conjunction, linking the divine command in the previous verse with Joseph's immediate and responsive action. It signals continuity and prompt execution of instructions, showing a direct transition from revelation to obedience.
• he arose (ἐγερθεὶς - egertheis): A participle meaning "having arisen." While grammatically passive, it conveys Joseph's decisive, self-motivated act of getting up. It speaks to a swift and obedient response, indicating readiness and promptness to heed God's voice without delay. This word is also often used in contexts of being roused from sleep or even resurrection, suggesting a divine imperative behind the action.
• and took (παρέλαβεν - parelaben): From paralambanō, meaning "to take alongside," "to receive," or "to take charge of." This word underscores Joseph's role as the entrusted guardian and protector of Jesus and Mary. It denotes a deliberate and protective assumption of care for the family, emphasizing his responsibility and love.
• the young child (τὸ παιδίον - to paidion): A neuter noun meaning "little child" or "infant." This term is consistently used for Jesus in Matthew 2. It highlights Jesus' vulnerability and complete dependence during His infancy, necessitating divine protection and Joseph's faithful guardianship. It reinforces His full humanity from the earliest moments.
• and his mother (καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ - kai tēn mētera autou): Clearly referring to Mary. Her presence underscores the unity of the Holy Family in this divine journey. It highlights that the entire unit was under God's protection and Joseph's care, emphasizing their communal bond and shared experience in the redemptive narrative.
• and came (ἦλθεν - ēlthen): From erchomai, "to come" or "to go." This simple verb describes the actual journey and successful arrival at the divinely appointed destination. It represents the physical completion of the return from Egypt.
• into the land of Israel (εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ - eis gēn Israēl):
  • εἰς (eis): Preposition signifying motion into or to.
  • γῆν (gēn): Meaning "land" or "country."
  • Ἰσραήλ (Israēl): Referring to the historical, covenant nation and its geographical territory.
  • This phrase is deeply significant, indicating the Holy Family's return to the specific geographical area associated with God's covenant promises and where the Messiah's ministry was prophesied to take place. It connects Jesus' identity and mission directly to the long history of God's interaction with His chosen people, ensuring His return to the proper setting for salvation history to unfold.

Words-group analysis

• And he arose and took the young child and his mother: This sequence powerfully demonstrates Joseph's faithful and immediate obedience. The consecutive "and... and..." construction highlights the seamless and unwavering execution of divine instructions. It portrays Joseph as a diligent and responsible patriarch, embodying trust and responsiveness in his guardianship of the Messiah. This immediate action following Herod's death underscores God's meticulous timing and Joseph's pivotal role in protecting God's redemptive plan.
• came into the land of Israel: This phrase signifies the precise divine destination after the period of refuge. It places Jesus back on the very soil where God had made His covenant promises to Abraham and where the Messiah was expected. The return to the "land of Israel" is more than a geographical relocation; it is a theological placement, fulfilling prophecies and preparing the ground for the unfolding of salvation history within its divinely appointed boundaries.

Matthew 2 21 Bonus section

The consistency of divine communication to Joseph through dreams (Matt 1:20; 2:13, 19, 22) highlights a recurring pattern of divine intervention in Matthew's early chapters, emphasizing God's direct guidance over the unfolding events of Christ's early life. While the initial instruction is simply to return to "the land of Israel," the subsequent angel-guided detour to Nazareth in Galilee (Matt 2:22-23) showcases God's intricate and layered plan to fulfill various prophecies, even down to Jesus' reputation as a "Nazarene." The concise and direct language of this verse, typical of Matthew's narrative, prioritizes the events and their theological implications rather than dwelling on the hardships of the journey. The "land of Israel" serves not just as a physical place, but as the theatre where God’s covenant with humanity reaches its climax in the person of Jesus.

Matthew 2 21 Commentary

Matthew 2:21 succinctly narrates the crucial event of the Holy Family's return from Egypt, underscoring Joseph's unwavering and immediate obedience to God's divine guidance. Having fled the murderous decree of Herod, their return following his death marks the completion of a protective exodus, drawing a poignant parallel to Israel's original journey out of Egypt. The specific destination, "the land of Israel," is deeply significant, positioning Jesus within the very heart of the covenant nation where the Messianic prophecies were foretold to be fulfilled. This verse, though brief, highlights God's meticulous sovereignty and unfailing protection over His Son, ensuring Jesus' safety and His rightful place in the geographical and historical context essential for His redemptive mission. It showcases the quiet faithfulness of Joseph and the precision of divine providence in guiding the very trajectory of the Christ's early life.