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Matthew 2:15

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And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

And {G2532} was {G2258} there {G1563} until {G2193} the death {G5054} of Herod {G2264}: that {G2443} it might be fulfilled {G4137} which {G3588} was spoken {G4483} of {G5259} the Lord {G2962} by {G1223} the prophet {G4396}, saying {G3004}, Out of {G1537} Egypt {G125} have I called {G2564} my {G3450} son {G5207}.

where he stayed until Herod died. This happened in order to fulfill what ADONAI had said through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.

Commentary

Matthew 2:15 describes a pivotal moment in the early life of Jesus, detailing His family's return from Egypt after the death of King Herod. This verse highlights God's providential protection over the infant Messiah and emphasizes the meticulous fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Context

Following the visit of the wise men (Matthew 2:1-12) and Herod's murderous intent, an angel warned Joseph in a dream to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-14). This verse marks the conclusion of their exile, stating they remained in Egypt "until the death of Herod." Herod the Great was a paranoid and ruthless ruler, notorious for his cruelty, including the slaughter of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate the perceived threat to his throne. His death, which occurred around 4 B.C., paved the way for the Holy Family's safe return to Israel, guided by divine instruction once more.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Fulfillment: Matthew consistently presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's Scriptures. Here, the phrase "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son" directly quotes Hosea 11:1. This demonstrates God's sovereign plan unfolding precisely as foretold.
  • Divine Protection: The narrative underscores God's unfailing care for Jesus. The flight to Egypt was a direct act of divine intervention to protect the Messiah from Herod's tyranny, illustrating that no earthly power can thwart God's purposes.
  • Typological Significance: Matthew's application of Hosea 11:1 is a profound typological insight. In Hosea, "my son" refers to Israel, whom God called out of bondage in Egypt during the Exodus. By applying this to Jesus, Matthew presents Jesus as the true, ideal Israel, the ultimate "Son" of God, who recapitulates and perfects the nation's history. Jesus' journey out of Egypt mirrors Israel's, signifying His role as the one who brings true liberation and embodies the covenant relationship with God.

Linguistic Insights

The quoted phrase, "Out of Egypt have I called my son," from Hosea 11:1, originally referred to God's calling of the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt during the Exodus. Matthew's use of this prophecy for Jesus' return from Egypt reveals a deeper theological meaning. He sees in Jesus the embodiment of Israel's history and destiny. Jesus is not merely another prophet but the very Son of God who perfectly fulfills the covenant and divine intentions for His people, bringing about a new and greater exodus from sin and death.

Practical Application

Matthew 2:15 offers profound comfort and assurance. It reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even in times of extreme danger and political turmoil. Just as He protected Jesus from Herod's wrath, He watches over His people today. This verse also reinforces the trustworthiness of God's Word; His promises and prophecies are certain to be fulfilled in His perfect timing. It encourages believers to trust in God's protective hand and His unfolding plan, even when the path seems uncertain or difficult, knowing that He guides His children through every season of life.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Hosea 11:1 (69 votes)

    ¶ When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

  • Exodus 4:22 (17 votes)

    And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel [is] my son, [even] my firstborn:

  • Numbers 24:8 (9 votes)

    God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce [them] through with his arrows.

  • Luke 24:44 (6 votes)

    And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me.

  • Matthew 1:22 (4 votes)

    Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

  • Matthew 12:16 (3 votes)

    And charged them that they should not make him known:

  • Matthew 12:18 (3 votes)

    Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.