Matthew 2:20
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.
Original Language Analysis
λέγων,
Saying
G3004
λέγων,
Saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 22
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 #:
2 of 22
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 #:
3 of 22
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
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίου
the young child
G3813
παιδίου
the young child
Strong's:
G3813
Word #:
5 of 22
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 #:
6 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μητέρα
mother
G3384
μητέρα
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
8 of 22
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 22
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 #:
10 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πορεύου
go
G4198
πορεύου
go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
11 of 22
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
γῆν
the land
G1093
γῆν
the land
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
13 of 22
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
Ἰσραήλ·
of Israel
G2474
Ἰσραήλ·
of Israel
Strong's:
G2474
Word #:
14 of 22
israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ζητοῦντες
sought
G2212
ζητοῦντες
sought
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
18 of 22
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴν
life
G5590
ψυχὴν
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
20 of 22
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
Cross References
Exodus 4:19And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.Matthew 2:13And 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.1 Kings 11:40Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.1 Kings 11:21And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.
Historical Context
The parallel to Moses strengthens Matthew's presentation of Jesus as the new and greater deliverer. Just as Moses brought Israel from physical bondage in Egypt, Jesus brings spiritual deliverance from sin.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ fulfill and exceed the role of Moses as deliverer of God's people?
- What does the parallel between Moses and Jesus teach about God's consistent pattern of redemption?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'they are dead which sought the young child's life' echoes Exodus 4:19 when God told Moses to return to Egypt, creating a typological parallel between Moses and Christ. Both were deliverers threatened by infanticide, preserved by God's providence. This connection reinforces Christ as the greater Moses who leads God's people from bondage to sin and death.