Matthew 2:20

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.

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}.

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."

“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.”

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.

Context

Matthew 2:20 comes after the Holy Family's miraculous flight to Egypt, prompted by an angelic warning to Joseph. This escape was necessary to evade King Herod the Great's murderous intent to kill the infant Jesus, leading to Herod's brutal slaughter of the innocent children in Bethlehem. This verse marks a turning point: an angel of the Lord appears again to Joseph in a dream, instructing him that it is now safe to return to the land of Israel because those who sought the young child's life are dead. This specifically refers to the demise of King Herod, a significant historical event that paved the way for the family's safe journey back.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Providence: The verse powerfully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to protect His Son. Despite Herod's formidable power and evil intentions, God's plan for the Messiah's safety prevailed, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over human rulers and circumstances.
  • Obedience to Divine Guidance: Joseph's character is consistently portrayed as one of immediate and faithful obedience to God's instructions given through dreams. His readiness to "Arise, and take the young child and his mother" highlights the importance of trusting and acting upon God's clear direction.
  • The Transience of Evil: The phrase "they are dead which sought the young child's life" underscores the temporary nature of evil and its proponents. While evil may rage for a time, God ultimately ensures its defeat and the advancement of His purposes.
  • Fulfillment of God's Plan: This command to return sets the stage for the family's re-entry into Israel, fulfilling the broader narrative of Jesus's early life and preparing for His public ministry. The journey back to Israel, though not directly prophesied in this verse, aligns with the overall divine roadmap for the Messiah.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "young child" is translated from the Greek word paidion (παιδίον), which emphasizes Jesus's tender age and vulnerability. The statement "they are dead" (Greek: tethnēkasin, τεθνήκασιν) uses the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with a lasting result. It refers primarily to Herod the Great, whose death removed the immediate threat, and possibly includes his co-conspirators or the general threat posed by his regime.

Related Scriptures

This verse directly follows the account of the Holy Family's sojourn in Egypt, which fulfilled the prophecy from Hosea 11:1: "Out of Egypt have I called my son." The subsequent journey back to Israel, as prompted by this verse, is further detailed in Matthew 2:21, where Joseph again obeys. However, their full return to Bethlehem is altered due to Joseph's subsequent caution regarding Archelaus, Herod's son, leading them to settle in Nazareth.

Practical Application

Matthew 2:20 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that even in times of grave danger or uncertainty, God's watchful eye is upon His people. Just as He protected the young Messiah, He provides guidance and safety for those who trust Him. The verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of ready obedience, knowing that God's timing is perfect and His instructions lead to our ultimate good. It also serves as a powerful reminder that no evil, however potent it may seem, can ultimately thwart God's sovereign plan.

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.

  • 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.
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