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.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτό
him
G846
αὐτό
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 40
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
ἄγγελος
the angel
G32
ἄγγελος
the angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
5 of 40
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
Κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
Κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 40
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
φαίνεται
appeareth
G5316
φαίνεται
appeareth
Strong's:
G5316
Word #:
7 of 40
to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
κατ'
in
G2596
κατ'
in
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
8 of 40
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
12 of 40
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἐγερθεὶς
Arise
G1453
Ἐγερθεὶς
Arise
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
13 of 40
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
παράλαβε
and take
G3880
παράλαβε
and take
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
14 of 40
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίον
the young child
G3813
παιδίον
the young child
Strong's:
G3813
Word #:
16 of 40
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 40
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μητέρα
mother
G3384
μητέρα
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
19 of 40
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτό
him
G846
αὐτό
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 40
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 40
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φεῦγε
flee
G5343
φεῦγε
flee
Strong's:
G5343
Word #:
22 of 40
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
23 of 40
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 40
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἕως
until
G2193
ἕως
until
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
28 of 40
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
μέλλει
will
G3195
μέλλει
will
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
32 of 40
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
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
33 of 40
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ζητεῖν
seek
G2212
ζητεῖν
seek
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
35 of 40
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
36 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίον
the young child
G3813
παιδίον
the young child
Strong's:
G3813
Word #:
37 of 40
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
38 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 1:20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.Acts 10:7And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;Acts 5:19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,Acts 12:11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.Job 33:15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;Exodus 1:22And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.Matthew 2:16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.Matthew 2:12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.Revelation 12:14And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.Revelation 12:6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Historical Context
Egypt had a large Jewish population in cities like Alexandria. The journey was about 75 miles—manageable but dangerous. The timing of the Magi's gifts was providential, providing resources for this unexpected flight. Egypt remained safe until Herod's death.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God protected you from dangers you didn't fully recognize at the time?
- What does this passage teach about trusting God's guidance even when it requires urgent action?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The angel's command to 'flee into Egypt' shows God's providential care using Egypt (former place of bondage) as a place of refuge. The urgency 'by night' reflects imminent danger. God's foreknowledge of Herod's intention to 'destroy' the child demonstrates divine protection of the Messiah despite human opposition.