Matthew 2:21

KJV

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he arose {G1453}, and took {G3880} the young child {G3813} and {G2532} his {G846} mother {G3384}, and {G2532} came {G2064} into {G1519} the land {G1093} of Israel {G2474}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So he got up, took the child and his mother, and went back to Eretz-Yisra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel.

American Standard Version

And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 2:21 marks the divinely orchestrated conclusion of the Holy Family's sojourn in Egypt and their guided return to the ancestral land of Israel. This pivotal verse underscores Joseph's unwavering obedience to God's directives, demonstrating the meticulous providence that safeguarded the young Messiah, ensuring He would be brought back to the very soil where His redemptive mission was destined to unfold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate resolution to the perilous flight into Egypt, which began in [Matthew 2:13](/matthew/2-13 "Matthew 2:13 - Flight to Egypt"). Following the Magi's visit and Herod's murderous decree against the infants in Bethlehem ([Matthew 2:16](/matthew/2-16 "Matthew 2:16 - Massacre of the Innocents")), Joseph was divinely warned in a dream to flee. Now, in [Matthew 2:19-20](/matthew/2-19-20 "Matthew 2:19-20 - Angel's Instruction to Return"), an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph again in a dream, informing him that Herod, who sought the child's life, was dead. This instruction directly reverses the previous command, initiating the family's journey back to their homeland, a return that implicitly fulfills the prophecy cited in [Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Matthew 2:15 - Prophecy Fulfilled") regarding Israel being called out of Egypt.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The death of Herod the Great, which occurred in 4 BC, was a significant historical event that dramatically altered the political landscape of Judea. Herod was known for his paranoia and cruelty, exemplified by the "Massacre of the Innocents." His demise removed the immediate threat to Jesus' life. For Jews of the time, the "land of Israel" was not merely a geographical location but the promised land, central to their identity, covenant, and Messianic hopes. The return from a foreign land, particularly Egypt, carried deep historical and theological resonance, echoing the Exodus and the various returns from exile throughout Israel's history, reinforcing the idea of divine leading and restoration.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative in [Matthew 2](/matthew/2 "Matthew 2 - The Birth of Jesus and the Flight to Egypt") consistently highlights God's **Divine Guidance and Protection** over His Son. Through a series of angelic dreams given to Joseph, God meticulously orchestrates every step of the Holy Family's journey, from the initial warning to flee to Egypt ([Matthew 2:13](/matthew/2-13 "Matthew 2:13 - Flight to Egypt")) to the instruction to return. This demonstrates God's sovereign hand actively preserving the Messiah for His future ministry. Another prominent theme is **Joseph's Obedience and Faith**. Joseph consistently responds with immediate and unwavering obedience to these divine commands, even when they involve significant disruption and danger. His actions in this verse—"he arose, and took the young child and his mother"—exemplify his selfless dedication and trust in God's plan, mirroring his earlier obedience in [Matthew 1:24](/matthew/1-24 "Matthew 1:24 - Joseph's Obedience"). Finally, the **Return to the Land of Israel** is a crucial thematic element, signifying not just a physical relocation but a return to the covenantal homeland, emphasizing Jesus' identity as the true Israel and the inheritor of God's promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **arose (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb, G1453, implies a decisive and immediate action, often signifying a rising up from a state of rest, inactivity, or even death. In this context, it highlights Joseph's prompt and resolute response to the divine command, indicating his readiness to obey God's will without hesitation or delay. It suggests a swift and purposeful movement.
* **took (Greek, _paralambánō'_):** The Greek word G3880 means "to receive near," "to associate with oneself," or "to take unto/with." This choice of word emphasizes Joseph's protective and intimate role in taking responsibility for Jesus and Mary. It's not a mere carrying, but an act of receiving them into his care and companionship, underscoring his guardianship.
* **land (Greek, _gē'_):** G1093 refers to "soil," "a region," or "the solid part of the terrene globe." When combined with "Israel" (G2474), it specifically designates the ancestral and covenantal territory promised to Abraham and his descendants. This highlights the theological significance of their destination—not just any land, but the specific geographical and spiritual heartland of God's chosen people, where the Messiah's ministry was destined to unfold.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he arose":** This phrase emphasizes Joseph's immediate and decisive action in response to the angelic instruction. His promptness highlights his unwavering obedience and trust in God's guidance, demonstrating a readiness to act upon divine revelation without question or delay.
* **"and took the young child and his mother":** This clause underscores Joseph's primary responsibility and protective role. He is the guardian of both Jesus and Mary, ensuring their safety and well-being. The phrasing highlights the preciousness of "the young child" and the vulnerability of the family, relying solely on divine direction and Joseph's faithful execution of it.
* **"and came into the land of Israel":** This signifies the successful completion of the journey back from Egypt to the divinely appointed destination. The "land of Israel" is not just a geographical location but the covenantal territory, symbolizing God's faithfulness to His promises and the return of His Son to the very place where His redemptive work would commence.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew's narrative in this passage employs several literary devices. **Narrative Repetition** is evident in Joseph's consistent pattern of receiving divine instructions through dreams and immediately obeying them (cf. [Matthew 1:20-24](/matthew/1-20-24 "Matthew 1:20-24 - Joseph's First Dream"), [Matthew 2:13-14](/matthew/2-13-14 "Matthew 2:13-14 - Flight to Egypt"), [Matthew 2:19-21](/matthew/2-19-21 "Matthew 2:19-21 - Return from Egypt")). This repetition underscores Joseph's exemplary faith and obedience, presenting him as a model disciple. Furthermore, the return from Egypt functions as **Typology**, drawing a parallel between Jesus and the nation of Israel. Just as Israel was called "out of Egypt" (cf. [Hosea 11:1](/hosea/11-1 "Hosea 11:1 - Israel Called Out of Egypt")), so too is Jesus, the true Son of God, called out of Egypt, signifying His identity as the embodiment and fulfillment of Israel's destiny. The entire sequence of events, from flight to return, also serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for Jesus' public ministry within the land of Israel, where He would ultimately fulfill His messianic mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 2:21 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous providence and sovereign control over history, particularly in safeguarding His Son. The journey from Egypt back to Israel is not merely a geographical relocation but a theological statement about God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His active involvement in the unfolding of redemptive history. It emphasizes that Jesus' life was divinely protected from its earliest moments, ensuring that He would grow up in the land where He was destined to announce the Kingdom of God, suffer, die, and rise again. This divine oversight reassures believers of God's unwavering commitment to His plans and His people.

* [Exodus 4:22-23](/exodus/4-22-23 "Exodus 4:22-23 - Israel, God's Firstborn Son"): God refers to Israel as "My son, My firstborn," underscoring the typological connection between Israel's exodus from Egypt and Jesus' return.
* [Matthew 1:20-21](/matthew/1-20-21 "Matthew 1:20-21 - Angel's Instruction to Joseph"): Joseph's initial obedience to the angelic instruction to take Mary as his wife establishes a pattern of faithful response to divine directives.
* [Hebrews 11:8](/hebrews/11-8 "Hebrews 11:8 - Abraham's Obedience of Faith"): Abraham's journey to a land he would receive as an inheritance, solely based on faith and obedience, parallels Joseph's journey, highlighting the theme of trusting God's guidance to a promised destination.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of the Holy Family's return from Egypt, driven by divine instruction and executed through Joseph's faithful obedience, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our lives, like Jesus', are under the watchful care of a sovereign God who guides our steps, often through unexpected turns and challenging circumstances. Joseph's immediate and unwavering response to God's directives, even when they required significant disruption and relocation, serves as a powerful model for our own walk of faith. We are called to cultivate a spirit of prompt obedience, trusting that God's plan, though sometimes mysterious, is always for our ultimate good and the fulfillment of His purposes. In a world fraught with uncertainty and fear, this passage offers deep reassurance of God's protective presence, encouraging us to lean into His providence rather than succumbing to anxiety.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's consistent obedience to divine instructions, even when inconvenient or dangerous, challenge my own willingness to obey God's leading in my life?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's protective providence more, especially when facing uncertain or fearful circumstances?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's guidance, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the counsel of wise believers, so that I might respond with promptness like Joseph?**

### FAQ

**Why did Joseph return to the "land of Israel" instead of directly to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born?**

Answer: Matthew 2:21 states Joseph returned to the "land of Israel," which is a broader geographical term for the entire region. The subsequent verses ([Matthew 2:22-23](/matthew/2-22-23 "Matthew 2:22-23 - Settlement in Nazareth")) clarify that Joseph received further divine guidance. Upon hearing that Archelaus, Herod's notoriously cruel son, was reigning in Judea (the region including Bethlehem), Joseph was again warned in a dream. This led him to withdraw to the district of Galilee and settle in the town of Nazareth. This decision was not a deviation from God's plan but a further specific instruction to ensure Jesus' safety and to fulfill another prophecy that He would be called a Nazarene. The initial instruction was to return to the general "land of Israel" because the immediate threat (Herod) was gone; the specific destination within that land was refined by subsequent divine guidance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 2:21, though a simple narrative of return, is rich with Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus' return to the "land of Israel" is not merely a logistical detail but a profound theological statement. He is brought back to the very soil of the covenant, the stage upon which the entire drama of redemption would unfold. This journey echoes the historical exodus of Israel from Egypt, positioning Jesus as the true and ultimate Israel, the one who perfectly embodies and fulfills the nation's calling ([Hosea 11:1](/hosea/11-1 "Hosea 11:1 - Israel Called Out of Egypt")). His presence in the land signifies the beginning of His public ministry, where He would proclaim the Kingdom of God ([Mark 1:14-15](/mark/1-14-15 "Mark 1:14-15 - Jesus Preaches the Gospel")), teach with authority ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority")), perform miracles ([John 2:11](/john/2-11 "John 2:11 - First Sign at Cana")), and ultimately offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world in Jerusalem ([Luke 24:46-47](/luke/24-46-47 "Luke 24:46-47 - Christ's Suffering and Resurrection")). His return from a place of refuge to the place of His destiny foreshadows His ultimate victory over sin and death, culminating in His resurrection and ascension, from which He will one day return to that same land to establish His eternal kingdom ([Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - Jesus' Ascension and Promise of Return"), [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")).

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

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Genesis 6:22

¶ Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.