Matthew 2:13

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἀναχωρησάντων
were departed
to retire
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
αὐτό
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#4
ἰδού,
behold
used as imperative lo!
#5
ἄγγελος
G32
the angel
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
#6
Κυρίου
of the Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#7
φαίνεται
appeareth
to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
#8
κατ'
in
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
#9
ὄναρ
a dream
a dream
#10
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
Ἰωσὴφ
to Joseph
joseph, the name of seven israelites
#12
λέγων,
saying
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#13
Ἐγερθεὶς
Arise
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
#14
παράλαβε
and take
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
#15
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
παιδίον
the young child
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
#17
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#18
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
μητέρα
mother
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
#20
αὐτό
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#21
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#22
φεῦγε
flee
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
#23
εἰς
into
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#24
Αἴγυπτον
Egypt
aegyptus, the land of the nile
#25
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#26
ἴσθι
be thou
be thou
#27
ἐκεῖ
there
there; by extension, thither
#28
ἕως
until
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
#29
ἂν
I
whatsoever
#30
εἴπω
bring
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#31
σοί·
thee
to thee
#32
μέλλει
will
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
#33
γὰρ
for
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
#34
Ἡρῴδης
Herod
heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings
#35
ζητεῖν
seek
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
#36
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#37
παιδίον
the young child
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
#38
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#39
ἀπολέσαι
to destroy
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
#40
αὐτό
him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within Roman imperial rule over Jewish Palestine with messianic expectations. The author writes to address Jewish Christians seeking to understand Jesus as Messiah, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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