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.”
Context:Matthew 2:13 is part of the narrative surrounding the birth of Jesus. After the visit of the Magi, who came to worship the newborn king, they were warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod. Instead, they departed to their own country by another route (Matthew 2:12). The events in this verse take place immediately following the departure of the Magi.
The Angel of the Lord:In this verse, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream. Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Joseph receives divine messages through dreams. This angelic appearance serves as a means of communication between God and Joseph, guiding him and instructing him on what to do for the protection of Jesus.
The Instruction to Flee to Egypt:The angel instructs Joseph to take the young child, Jesus, and His mother, Mary, and flee to Egypt. This command is given to ensure Jesus’ safety from Herod, who had malicious intentions. Egypt served as a nearby foreign land where they could find refuge until it was safe to return.
The Threat of Herod:Herod the Great was the king of Judea at that time. Upon hearing about the birth of the Messiah, he saw Jesus as a threat to his own reign and sought to eliminate Him. Herod’s intention to destroy Jesus was a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Jeremiah 31:15, which Matthew references in the subsequent verse (Matthew 2:16-18).
God’s Protection and Guidance:In this verse, we witness God’s active involvement in the lives of His chosen ones. The angel’s appearance and instructions reveal God’s concern for the safety of Jesus and His family. God’s providential care is evident as He guides Joseph, protecting Jesus from harm.
Fulfillment of Prophecy:Matthew often emphasizes how events in Jesus’ life fulfill Old Testament prophecies. In this case, the flight to Egypt by Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fulfilled the prophecy found in Hosea 11:1, which states, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Jesus, as the Son of God, experienced a parallel to Israel’s historical journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Themes:This verse highlights several important themes found throughout the Gospel of Matthew, including the divine guidance and protection of God, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the opposition faced by Jesus from those in power.
Overall, Matthew 2:13 reveals the urgent need for Jesus’ protection, God’s guidance through angelic intervention, and the fulfillment of prophecies related to His life. It sets the stage for Joseph’s obedience as he takes Jesus and Mary to Egypt, safeguarding them from Herod’s malicious intentions until it is safe to return.
