Matthew 2:12

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And {G2532} being warned of God {G5537} in {G2596} a dream {G3677} that they should {G344} not {G3361} return {G344} to {G4314} Herod {G2264}, they departed {G402} into {G1519} their own {G846} country {G5561} another {G1223}{G243} way {G3598}.

But they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they took another route back to their own country.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Context of Matthew 2:12

Matthew 2:12 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Wise Men (Magi) who came from the East to worship the newborn King of the Jews. Having followed a star to Bethlehem, they found Jesus, worshipped Him, and presented Him with valuable gifts. Before their departure, King Herod, a paranoid and ruthless ruler of Judea, had cunningly instructed them to return to him with information about the child's whereabouts, feigning a desire to worship Him himself. In reality, Herod intended to eliminate any potential rival to his throne, fearing the prophesied Messiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Guidance and Protection: This verse beautifully illustrates God's direct and active involvement in protecting His Son. Through a dream, God intervenes supernaturally, providing specific instructions to the Wise Men to bypass Herod's murderous plot. This highlights God's meticulous care for Jesus and His divine plan.
  • Obedience to God's Warning: The Magi's immediate and unquestioning obedience to the divine warning is central. Despite the potential political ramifications or the inconvenience of changing their travel plans, they prioritized God's command over Herod's deceptive request. Their decision to depart "another way" directly thwarts Herod's murderous intent.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Evil: This incident demonstrates God's ultimate control over human schemes and evil intentions. Herod's power and deception were no match for God's sovereign will and protective hand. God's plan for the Messiah would not be derailed by earthly rulers.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "warned of God" translates the Greek word chrēmatizō (χρηματίζω), which specifically means to be divinely instructed, admonished, or warned, often through an oracle or a dream. It signifies a direct communication from God. The word "dream" (Greek: onar, ὄναρ) emphasizes the supernatural nature of this communication, a common means of divine revelation in the Old and New Testaments, as seen in Joseph's own divine warnings in dreams regarding Jesus' birth and safety.

Practical Application

Matthew 2:12 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Heed Divine Warnings: Just as the Wise Men were warned, God still guides and warns His people, though perhaps not always through dreams. This calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment and attentiveness to God's voice, whether through His Word, prayer, or godly counsel.
  • Trust God's Protection: The verse reassures us that God is actively involved in protecting His purposes and His people. Even in the face of powerful opposition or dangerous situations, we can trust in God's sovereign care and His ability to deliver us or guide us through.
  • Choose Obedience Over Compromise: The Magi's decision to obey God rather than return to Herod models the importance of choosing faithfulness over worldly pressure or fear. Our obedience to God often requires us to take a different path than the world or even those in authority might expect, trusting that the Lord's counsel will stand.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 2:19

    ¶ But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

  • Matthew 2:22

    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 2:13

    ¶ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

  • Matthew 27:19

    When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

  • Genesis 31:24

    And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

  • Matthew 1:20

    But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

  • Exodus 1:17

    But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

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