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.”
King James Version
An angel warns Joseph that Herod will seek to kill the child and sends the family to Egypt, fulfilling 'out of Egypt have I called my son'.
Fulfillment References
Matthew 2:14-15 Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:16 Matthew 2:19-21
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalThe angel foretold what Herod would do, and it happened (2:16). God protected His own life in flesh as a helpless child, carried to Egypt by Joseph and Mary. Matthew sees Israel's story repeated: 'Out of Egypt have I called my son' (2:15; Hos. 11:1). The God who brought Israel out of Egypt came into the world as the Son and came out of Egypt Himself.
JewishNo traditional Jewish reading. Herod's cruelty to rivals, including his own sons, is well recorded by Josephus.
CatholicThe Holy Family's flight, a feast-day theme; Christ shares the life of refugees.
ProtestantGod's providence protecting the Messiah, with Christ reliving Israel's history.
OrthodoxThe flight into Egypt, honoured in icons and hymns.
DispensationalA fulfilled near prophecy of the angel, linked to Hosea 11:1 by typology.
AcademicMatthew parallels Moses' rescue from Pharaoh's slaughter of infants (Exodus 1-2). There is no outside record of the massacre at Bethlehem.
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Why it was written“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Peter told the first crowd how to begin: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
The new birth → · How to receive the Holy Ghost →
The new birth → · How to receive the Holy Ghost →
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, D.Min. · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.