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:

But {G1161} when he heard {G191} that {G3754} Archelaus {G745} did reign {G936} in {G1909} Judaea {G2449} in the room {G473} of his {G846} father {G3962} Herod {G2264}, he was afraid {G5399} to go {G565} thither {G1563}: notwithstanding {G1161}, being warned of God {G5537} in {G2596} a dream {G3677}, he turned aside {G402} into {G1519} the parts {G3313} of Galilee {G1056}:

However, when he heard that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as king of Y'hudah, he was afraid to go there. Warned in a dream, he withdrew to the Galil

But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of God in a dream, he withdrew into the parts of Galilee,

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 2:22 (KJV)

This verse details a pivotal moment in the Holy Family's return from Egypt, showcasing God's continued guidance and protection over Jesus. After the death of Herod the Great, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were ready to return to their homeland.

Context

Following the angel's instruction to flee to Egypt to escape Herod's murderous decree against infants in Bethlehem, Joseph receives another divine message that Herod has died. However, upon hearing that Herod's son, Archelaus, was ruling Judaea, Joseph hesitated. Archelaus was a notoriously cruel and violent ruler, even more so than his father in some respects, and his reign was marked by severe oppression and bloodshed. This made Joseph understandably fearful of returning to Bethlehem or Jerusalem in Judaea, fearing for Jesus' safety and his family's. God, recognizing Joseph’s rational fear and the danger, provided specific direction through yet another dream, guiding them away from Judaea and into the region of Galilee, specifically to Nazareth (Matthew 2:23).

Key Themes

  • Divine Guidance and Protection: The verse powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in guiding and protecting His Son, Jesus, and His earthly family. This is the third instance in Matthew where Joseph receives divine instruction through a dream (Matthew 2:13).
  • Obedience in the Face of Fear: Joseph's fear of Archelaus was legitimate, but his ultimate obedience to God's warning in the dream demonstrates his unwavering trust and commitment to God's plan.
  • Providence and Sovereignty: God's sovereign plan ensured Jesus' safety, even amidst political turmoil and human cruelty. The shift to Galilee also sets the stage for Jesus' upbringing in Nazareth, fulfilling prophecy (as noted in Matthew 2:23).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "warned of God" is chrēmatistheis theou (χρηματισθεὶς θεοῦ), which implies a divine communication or oracle. This term is often used in the New Testament to describe a divine revelation or instruction, emphasizing the authoritative and supernatural nature of the dream Joseph received.

Practical Application

Matthew 2:22 reminds believers that God often guides His people through various means, even when circumstances seem uncertain or fearful. Just as Joseph was given specific direction to avoid danger, we can trust that God provides wisdom and discernment for our paths. Our responsibility is to listen for His guidance, whether through prayer, Scripture, or wise counsel, and to respond with obedience, even when it requires adjusting our plans or stepping out of our comfort zone. This narrative encourages us to place our trust in God's protective hand, knowing He cares for us and directs our steps.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 48:17

    Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I [am] the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way [that] thou shouldest go.

  • Isaiah 48:18

    O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

  • Luke 2:39

    And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

  • John 7:52

    They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

  • Psalms 73:24

    Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.

  • 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.

  • 1 Samuel 16:2

    And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear [it], he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
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