Gospel Prayer Ministry

📖 Passage

Matthew 2:13–23 Read Matthew 2:13–23 (NKJV)

🧠 Context & Background

This passage recounts the flight of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Egypt after God warns Joseph in a dream of Herod's murderous intent. It shows God's sovereign protection over His Son and fulfillment of multiple prophecies: Hosea 11:1 ("Out of Egypt I called my son"), Jeremiah 31:15 (Rachel weeping for her children), and the promise that the Messiah would be despised and live in obscurity ("He shall be called a Nazarene"). Egypt served historically as both a place of refuge and a symbol of oppression, underscoring how God redeems even former places of exile for His saving purposes.

🌿 Key Themes

God's Sovereign Protection — Divine warning preserves Jesus' life.
Prophecy Fulfilled — Multiple Old Testament passages find fulfillment in Jesus' early life.
Suffering and Opposition — From His earliest days, Jesus faces rejection and danger.
Obedience in Action — Joseph's immediate compliance models faith-driven obedience.
Messiah's Identification with the Lowly — Growing up in despised Nazareth shows Christ's humility.

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Matthew 2:13–15 – Flight to Egypt

"An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream… 'Flee to Egypt… for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.'"

Immediate Obedience — Joseph acts without delay, showing trust in God's direction.
Egypt as Refuge — A place once tied to Israel's slavery now becomes a safe haven.
Hosea's Prophecy — "Out of Egypt I called my son" points to Jesus as the true Israel who fulfills the nation's mission.

Matthew 2:16–18 – Herod's Rage and Massacre

"He sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem… then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah."

Evil's Desperation — Herod's cruelty reveals the deep opposition to God's purposes.
Rachel Weeping — Jeremiah's imagery portrays the grief of mothers losing their children.
Foreshadow of Opposition — Jesus' mission will continually provoke hostility from the powers of darkness.

Matthew 2:19–23 – Return to Nazareth

"He went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled…"

God's Timing — Return only happens after Herod's death, showing divine control over events.
Nazareth's Reputation — Known as a despised town, it underscores the humility of Christ's upbringing.
Prophetic Fulfillment — "He shall be called a Nazarene" summarizes various prophecies about Messiah's humble and rejected status.

🧩 Review Questions

🔍 Definitions

Nazareth — A small, often despised village in Galilee, known for its obscurity and low social status.
Rachel Weeping — A poetic image drawn from Jeremiah 31:15 symbolizing deep national grief over tragedy and loss.
Fulfill — To bring to completion or realization God's prophetic promises through His sovereign plan.
Exile — The forced removal and living away from one's homeland, often as a result of judgment or persecution.
Prophecy — A divine message or revelation, often predicting future events, given through God's appointed messengers.

🙋 Application Questions

How can Joseph's immediate obedience encourage your own response to God's leading?
In what ways can hardship in your life be part of God's larger plan?
How does Jesus' identification with the lowly shape your worship and service?

🔤 Greek Keywords

Phygē (φυγή) — Flight; urgent escape from danger.
Paidia (παιδία) — Young children; emphasizes the innocence of Herod's victims.
Nazōraios (Ναζωραῖος) — Nazarene; linked to humility and lowly origins.
Plēroō (πληρόω) — To fulfill or bring to completion.

📚 Cross References

Hosea 11:1 — "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Jeremiah 31:15 — Rachel weeping for her children.

Isaiah 53:3 — Messiah despised and rejected.

Luke 2:39–40 — Jesus grows in wisdom and favor.

📦 Next Study

Next Study → Matthew 3:1–12

Matthew 2:13–23 – Out of Egypt I Called My Son