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MAT 2:19-23

The Return to Nazareth

19But when Herod had died, behold, a messenger of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20saying: "Rise, take the child and his mother and go into the land of Israel; for those who were seeking the life of the child have died."

21And he rose and took the child and his mother and went into the land of Israel.

22But hearing that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there; and having been divinely warned in a dream, he withdrew into the regions of Galilee.

23And he came and settled in a city called Nazareth — so that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene."

In the world it was spoken into

In the first century, dreams were widely regarded as a medium of divine communication, particularly in Jewish tradition, where figures like Joseph and Daniel received prophetic dreams. Herod’s death would have been a significant political event, as his reign marked a period of instability and fear for many Jews. Archelaus, his successor, was known for his harsh rule, which led to widespread apprehension among the populace. Galilee, in contrast to Judea, was a region less directly under Roman control and more culturally mixed, making it a safer choice for Joseph. The mention of Nazareth fulfills a prophetic expectation, as Nazareth was a small, insignificant village, emphasizing the humble origins of Jesus. The term (psyche) here refers not just to physical life but to the essence or being of the child, highlighting the threat posed by Herod’s actions. The divine warning underscores the belief in God’s active guidance in protecting His chosen ones.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

MAT 2:19

KJV
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
BSB
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.
Koinōnos
But when Herod had died, behold, a messenger of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

MAT 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.
BSB
“Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Childʼs life are now dead.”
Koinōnos
saying: "Rise, take the child and his mother and go into the land of Israel; for those who were seeking the life of the child have died.

MAT 2:21

KJV
And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
BSB
So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and went to the land of Israel.
Koinōnos
And he rose and took the child and his mother and went into the land of Israel.

MAT 2:22

KJV
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:
BSB
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,
Koinōnos
But hearing that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there; and having been divinely warned in a dream, he withdrew into the regions of Galilee.

MAT 2:23

KJV
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
BSB
and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Koinōnos
And he came and settled in a city called Nazareth — so that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Where the historical framing draws from

  • Josephus, WarsWars 2.2.7
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.2.7

“he deliberated by himself about the allegations which he had heard, whether it were fit to constitute any of those named in the testaments for Herod's successor”

Cited to ground: Herod’s death would have been a significant political event

Translator's notes

MAT 2:19

  • When was dying:The word translated 'was dying' here is a common term for death, but it literally means 'to come to an end' or 'to finish,' emphasizing the finality of life's course.

MAT 2:20

  • life:The word translated 'life' refers to the animating force or breath that gives a body life, often associated with the inner self or soul, rather than just biological existence.

MAT 2:22

  • to go.:The word translated 'to go' or 'warned' here implies a divine communication or oracle, suggesting that the instruction came from a supernatural source, not just a human decision.

MAT 2:23

  • having been spoken:The word translated 'having been spoken' indicates a continuous or ongoing state of being spoken, suggesting that the prophetic words were not just a one-time utterance but a persistent truth.