Matthew 2:22 kjv
But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
Matthew 2:22 nkjv
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee.
Matthew 2:22 niv
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,
Matthew 2:22 esv
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.
Matthew 2:22 nlt
But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod's son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee.
Matthew 2 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 20:3 | But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night... | God speaks through dreams. |
| Gen 31:24 | Then God came to Laban in a dream by night... | Divine communication through dreams. |
| Num 12:6 | “If there is a prophet among you... I speak with him in a dream.” | God's chosen method of revelation. |
| 1 Sam 21:10 | David arose and fled that day from Saul... | Flight for safety from oppressive rulers. |
| 1 Kgs 11:40 | Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam; but Jeroboam arose and fled to Egypt... | Flight to evade death. |
| Psa 56:3 | When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. | Human fear addressed by divine trust. |
| Psa 121:7-8 | The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. | God's comprehensive protection. |
| Prov 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. | Divine direction in human decisions. |
| Isa 9:1-2 | But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles... The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light... | Fulfillment related to Galilee, "Galilee of the Gentiles" as Jesus' ministry base. |
| Mt 1:20 | But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream... | God communicates to Joseph through dreams. |
| Mt 2:12 | And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed... | Divine warning via dream to Magi. |
| Mt 2:13 | 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..." | Divine warning via dream to Joseph to flee. |
| Mt 2:14 | And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt... | Joseph's obedience to divine instruction. |
| Mt 2:19-20 | But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel..." | Divine instruction for return from Egypt. |
| Mt 2:23 | And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled... | The destination of the journey (Nazareth). |
| Mt 4:12-13 | Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee... and leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum... | Jesus' strategic withdrawal to Galilee. |
| Lk 2:39-40 | And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong... | Luke's account of returning to Nazareth. |
| Acts 9:23-25 | When many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. | Example of escaping danger. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son... | God's various methods of revelation. |
Matthew 2 verses
Matthew 2 22 Meaning
This verse details Joseph's fear upon learning that Archelaus, a notoriously cruel ruler, was reigning over Judea in place of his father, Herod the Great. Consequently, divine intervention through a dream guided Joseph to move his family to the region of Galilee instead of returning to Bethlehem in Judea. This divine direction ensured the safety of Jesus from a potential Herodian threat, settling them in Nazareth, a town within Galilee.
Matthew 2 22 Context
Matthew 2 presents Jesus as the King and the new Moses, tracing His miraculous birth and God's providential care amidst profound danger. After Herod the Great's attempt to kill the infant Jesus led to the family's flight to Egypt, Matthew 2:19-21 records the divine instruction for them to return to "the land of Israel" after Herod's death. Verse 22 acts as a crucial turning point, modifying this general instruction due to new political realities. Joseph's decision, informed by Archelaus's known brutality and validated by a second divine dream, explains why the Holy Family settled in Nazareth of Galilee, rather than Bethlehem or Jerusalem in Judea. This avoids further Herodian threats in the Jewish capital region and strategically places Jesus in the "Galilee of the Gentiles" for His upbringing and future ministry, setting the stage for subsequent prophecies to be fulfilled.
Matthew 2 22 Word analysis
- But when he heard (ἀκούσας δέ, akousas de): "Having heard." This implies reliable, specific information about the political situation, not mere rumor. Joseph was a prudent man attentive to his surroundings.
- that Archelaus (Ἀρχέλαος, Archelaos): Son of Herod the Great. He was known for his extreme cruelty and tyranny, exceeding even his father in brutality, which led to his deposition by Rome in 6 AD after popular complaints.
- was reigning (βασιλεύει, basileuei): "Is ruling" or "is king." Though Rome technically granted Archelaus the title of "ethnarch" (ruler of a people), Matthew uses "king," reflecting either common perception or his effective power, or perhaps to emphasize the continuation of the "Herod" dynasty.
- over Judea (τῆς Ἰουδαίας, tēs Ioudaias): The most politically sensitive and central region of Herod's former kingdom, where Bethlehem (Jesus' birthplace) and Jerusalem (the capital) were located.
- in place of his father Herod (ἀντὶ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ Ἡρῴδου, anti tou patros autou Hērodou): This phrase explicitly connects Archelaus to the deceased Herod the Great, highlighting the succession and implying the continuation of Herodian malice, given Archelaus's temperament.
- he was afraid (ἐφοβήθη, ephobēthē): "He became afraid" or "he feared." This is a profound, justified fear. Joseph's human discernment aligned with God's divine foresight, showing God using practical fears to guide.
- to go there (ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν, ekei apelthein): "To go into that place." Refers to Judea, specifically Jerusalem or Bethlehem.
- and being warned (χρηματισθεὶς δέ, chrēmatisthēis de): "Having been divinely instructed/warned." This is a significant verb in Matthew (used five times regarding dreams to Joseph and the Magi), always denoting a supernatural warning or oracle. It elevates the dream from a common occurrence to a divine revelation.
- in a dream (κατʼ ὄναρ, kat' onar): Specifies the means of the divine warning. This reinforces the pattern of God guiding Joseph through dreams, establishing His consistent care for Jesus.
- he departed (ἀνεχώρησεν, anechōrēsen): "He withdrew," "retired," or "left." Matthew frequently uses this verb to denote Jesus or His family withdrawing from danger or controversy for strategic reasons (e.g., Mt 2:14; 4:12; 12:15). It indicates an intentional removal for safety.
- to the region of Galilee (εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας, eis ta merē tēs Galilaias): Galilee was a distinct, northern region ruled by Herod Antipas, Archelaus's brother, who was less overtly tyrannical, particularly towards infants. It was also considered less significant culturally by Judeans but became pivotal for Jesus' ministry ("Galilee of the Gentiles").
Matthew 2 22 Bonus section
The narrative of Joseph's actions in Matthew, particularly his consistent obedience to divine dreams (Mt 1:20; 2:13, 2:19, 2:22), showcases him as a model of faithful discernment and obedience to God's will. Each dream provides specific guidance to navigate perilous situations and secure the life of the Messiah. The shift to Galilee also subtly underscores the theme of rejection by Israel's established authorities and the move towards the periphery where Jesus' ministry would later blossom, highlighting God's plan for His Son's identity to be revealed progressively.
Matthew 2 22 Commentary
Matthew 2:22 provides insight into God's meticulous providence, intertwining human apprehension with divine instruction. Joseph's legitimate fear regarding Archelaus, who possessed a well-documented record of extreme cruelty (evidenced by historical accounts of massacres), aligns perfectly with God's will to protect the Christ child. This verse highlights that God’s guidance often comes in specific, practical directions rather than abstract notions. The divine warning via dream is not a casual occurrence but a deliberate act of revelation, ensuring Jesus is led away from immediate danger in Judea and strategically placed in Galilee. This decision to reside in Nazareth within Galilee served two purposes: immediate safety and the broader divine plan, positioning Jesus in a region foretold to be integral to His public ministry, effectively preparing for the fulfillment of prophecy without explicit mention of it here.