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.

And {G1161} when they {G846} were departed {G402}, behold {G2400}, the angel {G32} of the Lord {G2962} appeareth {G5316} to Joseph {G2501} in {G2596} a dream {G3677}, saying {G3004}, Arise {G1453}, and take {G3880} the young child {G3813} and {G2532} his {G846} mother {G3384}, and {G2532} flee {G5343} into {G1519} Egypt {G125}, and {G2532} be thou {G2468} there {G1563} until {G2193} I {G302} bring {G2036} thee {G4671} word {G2036}: for {G1063} Herod {G2264} will {G3195} seek {G2212} the young child {G3813} to destroy {G622} him {G846}.

After they had gone, an angel of ADONAI appeared to Yosef in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and escape to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you to leave. For Herod is going to look for the child in order to kill him."

When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

Now when they were departed, behold, an 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 tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Commentary

Context

Matthew 2:13 immediately follows the departure of the wise men, who had come from the East to worship the newborn King, Jesus. Unbeknownst to them, King Herod the Great had a deceitful and murderous intent: to find and eliminate this potential rival to his throne. This verse marks God's swift and direct intervention to protect His Son from Herod's sinister plan, initiating the Holy Family's flight.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Providence: God actively intervenes through an angel to safeguard Jesus, demonstrating His sovereign care and foresight. Even in the face of grave danger from a powerful ruler like Herod, God ensures His plan for the Messiah is not thwarted.
  • Obedience to Divine Instruction: Joseph's immediate and unquestioning obedience to the angel's command to flee to Egypt, despite the hardship and uncertainty of such a journey, is a central theme. His prompt action underscores the importance of trusting and acting upon God's word.
  • The Threat to the Messiah: From His earliest days, Jesus faced hostility and opposition, foreshadowing the conflict and persecution He would endure throughout His earthly ministry. This event highlights the spiritual battle surrounding His person and mission.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the flight to Egypt is later presented in Matthew 2:15 as a fulfillment of the prophecy, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the angel of the Lord" (Greek: angelos Kyriou) frequently appears in the Old Testament and often signifies a divine messenger, or even a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ), emphasizing the divine authority and urgency behind the message. The communication "in a dream" (Greek: kat' onar) is also significant, as dreams are a recurring method of divine guidance for Joseph in Matthew's Gospel, such as when he was instructed about Mary's miraculous pregnancy in Matthew 1:20.

Practical Application

Matthew 2:13 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Guidance: Like Joseph, we are called to trust God's leading, even when His instructions seem difficult or require significant sacrifice. God's ways are always for our ultimate good and the advancement of His purposes.
  • God's Protection in Peril: This verse is a powerful reminder that God watches over His own. Even when facing threats or adverse circumstances, we can rely on His sovereign protection and provision.
  • Vigilance Against Evil: The plot of Herod serves as a stark reminder that evil forces actively seek to thwart God's plans. Believers are called to be discerning and to seek God's wisdom to navigate a world hostile to divine truth.
  • Obedience Requires Action: Joseph did not hesitate; he "arose, and took the young child and his mother by night." True faith is often demonstrated through immediate and decisive obedience to God's word, even when the path ahead is uncertain, as was the case before their eventual return from Egypt.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 1:22 (9 votes)

    And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

  • Acts 5:19 (9 votes)

    But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

  • Acts 10:7 (9 votes)

    And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

  • Matthew 2:12 (9 votes)

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

  • Acts 12:11 (9 votes)

    And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

  • Matthew 1:20 (9 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 2:16 (8 votes)

    ¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.