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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, Arise {G1453}, and take {G3880} the young child {G3813} and {G2532} his {G846} mother {G3384}, and {G2532} go {G4198} into {G1519} the land {G1093} of Israel {G2474}: for {G1063} they are dead {G2348} which {G3588} sought {G2212} the young child's {G3813} life {G5590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to Eretz-Yisra'el, for those who wanted to kill the child are dead."

Berean Standard Bible

“Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.”

American Standard Version

Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child’s life.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 2:20 records the pivotal moment when an angel of the Lord, appearing to Joseph in a dream, instructs him to return to the land of Israel with the young child Jesus and His mother, Mary. This divine directive is given because the immediate threat to Jesus's life, primarily King Herod the Great and his co-conspirators, has passed, signifying God's continued sovereign protection over His Son and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial transition point within the narrative of Jesus's early life in Matthew's Gospel. It immediately follows the account of the Holy Family's flight to Egypt, which was necessitated by King Herod's murderous decree to slaughter all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity ([Matthew 2:16](/matthew/2-16 "Matthew 2:16 - Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents")). Joseph had previously been warned in a dream to flee to Egypt ([Matthew 2:13](/matthew/2-13 "Matthew 2:13 - Flight to Egypt")), fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt have I called my son" ([Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Matthew 2:15 - Fulfillment of Hosea 11:1")). Now, with the threat removed, the angelic command in [Matthew 2:20](/matthew/2-20 "Matthew 2:20 - Return from Egypt") initiates their return journey, setting the stage for their eventual settlement in Nazareth ([Matthew 2:23](/matthew/2-23 "Matthew 2:23 - Settlement in Nazareth")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "they are dead which sought the young child's life" primarily refers to King Herod the Great, who died in 4 BC. Herod was a notoriously paranoid and ruthless ruler, known for executing perceived rivals, including members of his own family. His death was a significant event, as it removed the immediate, most potent threat to Jesus. After Herod's death, his kingdom was divided among his three sons: Archelaus received Judea, Samaria, and Idumea; Herod Antipas received Galilee and Perea; and Philip received the northeastern territories. Joseph's subsequent caution about Archelaus ([Matthew 2:22](/matthew/2-22 "Matthew 2:22 - Joseph's Caution Regarding Archelaus")) highlights the continued political instability and the family's need for divine guidance even after Herod's demise. The journey from Egypt back to Israel would have been a significant undertaking, requiring careful planning and divine protection.
* **Key Themes:** Several major themes converge in [Matthew 2:20](/matthew/2-20 "Matthew 2:20 - Angelic Command to Return"). **Divine Protection and Providence** is paramount, as God actively intervenes to safeguard His Son from human malice, demonstrating His sovereignty over earthly rulers and events. **Obedience to Divine Guidance** is a recurring motif in Joseph's character, as he consistently responds with immediate and faithful action to God's instructions given through dreams, illustrating the importance of trusting and acting upon God's clear direction. The phrase "they are dead" underscores the **Transience of Evil and its Proponents**, reminding readers that while evil may rage for a time, God ultimately ensures its defeat and the advancement of His purposes. Finally, this command to return is integral to the **Fulfillment of God's Redemptive Plan**, as it brings the Messiah back to the land of Israel, preparing Him for His public ministry and the ultimate work of salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arise (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This word signifies a command to "waken" or "rouse," often from sleep, a state of rest, or inactivity. Here, it implies an immediate call to action, urging Joseph to overcome any inertia or fear and promptly embark on the journey. It conveys urgency and divine imperative, signaling a new phase in God's plan for the Holy Family.
* **dead (Greek, _thnḗskō'_):** This verb, used in the perfect tense (implied by the KJV "are dead"), indicates a completed action with lasting results. It refers to the physical demise of those who sought Jesus's life, primarily King Herod the Great. The perfect tense emphasizes the finality of their threat and the secure environment now available for the family's return.
* **sought (Greek, _zētéō'_):** This word means "to seek," often with an intense purpose. In this context, it carries a negative connotation, implying a malicious plot or scheme against Jesus's life. It highlights the active and deliberate nature of Herod's murderous intent, making the divine intervention and the subsequent death of the persecutors all the more significant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother":** This phrase reiterates the angelic communication to Joseph, emphasizing the direct, imperative nature of the command. "Arise" (G1453) conveys urgency, while "take" (G3880) implies assuming responsibility and care for Jesus and Mary, highlighting Joseph's role as their protector and guardian. The "young child" (G3813, _paidíon_) underscores Jesus's vulnerability and dependence, making God's protective intervention all the more striking.
* **"and go into the land of Israel":** This specifies the destination, signaling the end of their exile in Egypt. The "land of Israel" (G1093, G2474) is the promised land, the setting for God's covenant people and the place where the Messiah's ministry is destined to unfold. This return is a crucial step in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
* **"for they are dead which sought the young child's life":** This clause provides the divine rationale for the command to return. The conjunction "for" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the reason. "They are dead" (G2348, _thnḗskō_) refers primarily to King Herod the Great, whose death removed the immediate and most significant threat to Jesus. The phrase "sought the young child's life" (G2212, G5590) highlights the malicious intent and the grave danger from which Jesus was divinely preserved.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Divine Intervention** is central, as an angel, God's messenger, directly communicates with Joseph, underscoring God's active involvement in human affairs and His meticulous care for the Messiah. The phrase "they are dead which sought the young child's life" functions as a form of **Poetic Justice**, illustrating that those who oppose God's purposes ultimately fail and perish, while His plans prevail. There is also an element of **Contrast** between the mortal, transient power of Herod and the eternal, sovereign power of God. Furthermore, the narrative of the flight to Egypt and subsequent return, prompted by divine dreams, creates a sense of **Parallelism** with Old Testament narratives, particularly the exodus of Israel from Egypt, subtly foreshadowing Jesus's role as the new Israel and the ultimate deliverer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 2:20 powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to protect His Son and fulfill His redemptive purposes, even in the face of formidable human opposition. It demonstrates that divine providence is not passive but actively intervenes to remove obstacles and guide the path of those called according to His will. The death of Herod, though a historical event, is presented as a direct consequence of God's sovereign oversight, ensuring the safety of the Messiah. This passage underscores the truth that no human power, however great or malicious, can ultimately thwart God's eternal plan, providing a profound assurance of His faithfulness and omnipotence.

* [Psalm 37:32-33](/psalms/37-32-33 "The Wicked Plot Against the Righteous")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "No Wisdom, No Understanding, No Counsel Against the LORD")
* [Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "No Weapon Formed Against You Shall Prosper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 2:20 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that our lives, especially when we are walking in God's will, are under His sovereign protection. Just as God meticulously orchestrated events to safeguard the young Messiah, He watches over His children, guiding them through dangers and uncertainties. This passage calls us to cultivate a posture of ready obedience, like Joseph, trusting that God's timing is perfect and His instructions, even when delivered in unexpected ways, lead to our ultimate good and the fulfillment of His purposes in our lives. It also serves as a powerful reminder that evil and its proponents, no matter how menacing, are ultimately transient and subject to God's ultimate defeat. We can rest assured that God's plan for His people will prevail, and no earthly power can ultimately thwart His divine will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust more fully in God's protective providence, even when circumstances seem threatening?**
* **How does Joseph's immediate and consistent obedience to divine instruction challenge my own willingness to follow God's leading?**
* **What "Herods" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles in my life might God be working behind the scenes to remove for my good and His glory?**

### FAQ
**Who are "they" who sought the young child's life, and why is their death significant?**

Answer: The primary individual referred to by "they" (G3588) is King Herod the Great, who had issued a decree to kill all male children in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate the prophesied "King of the Jews" ([Matthew 2:16](/matthew/2-16 "Matthew 2:16 - Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents")). While the plural "they" could include Herod's co-conspirators or his regime, Herod himself was the driving force behind the threat. His death, which occurred historically around 4 BC, was significant because it removed the immediate and most potent danger to Jesus, allowing the Holy Family to safely return to the land of Israel and continue the unfolding of God's redemptive plan without this specific tyrannical threat.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 2:20, while detailing a specific event in Jesus's early life, profoundly points to His ultimate identity and mission. The divine protection afforded to the young child Jesus foreshadows His role as the Lamb of God, whose life would ultimately be given, not taken, for the salvation of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The removal of Herod, the persecutor, by God's sovereign hand, prefigures Christ's ultimate victory over all the powers of darkness, sin, and death. He is the one who, though "sought" for death by human malice and demonic forces, would ultimately conquer death through His resurrection ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). The return to the "land of Israel" ([Matthew 2:20](/matthew/2-20 "Matthew 2:20 - Return to Israel")) signifies Jesus's identity as the true Israel, the faithful Son who perfectly fulfills God's covenant promises, ultimately establishing a new covenant through His blood ([Luke 22:20](/lukes/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood")). Thus, this verse is not merely a historical account but a testament to God's unwavering commitment to bring His Son, the Messiah, to His appointed destiny, culminating in the redemption of all who believe in Him ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Own Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 4:19

And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.

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.

1 Kings 11:21

And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.

1 Kings 11:40

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

1 Kings 12:1

¶ And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.