Matthew 2:20
saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The plural "they" isn't just a casual way of speaking; it might be a deliberate echo of the Exodus story where Moses was told "all the men who sought your life are dead." This deliberate parallel suggests God is orchestrating a new deliverance, mirroring the old, as Jesus steps into His role as the ultimate rescuer.
Following Herod's murderous decree and the Magi's timely warning, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream while they are in Egypt. The angel instructs Joseph to return to Israel now that King Herod, the one who sought Jesus' life, has died.
The angel's words bring relief, but also a crucial warning. God's guidance always considers the full picture.
Joseph and Mary had fled a murderous king, Herod. Now, he's dead. You'd think that's the end of the danger, right? But the angel's instruction to "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel" isn't just about returning home. It's also a strategic move.
A New Threat Emerges
Herod the Great was a brutal ruler. But he wasn't the only one who could threaten Jesus. The angel's caution, "for those who sought the child's life are dead," implies that the primary threat (Herod) is gone. However, the choice of where Joseph and Mary should go in Israel is critical. They don't go back to Bethlehem, and they avoid Judea, where Herod's son Archelaus, known for his own cruelty, is now in power. God's plan for Jesus' safety wasn't just about removing one enemy, but navigating around others.
Why does the angel use the plural 'they' when referring to those who sought Jesus' life, even though Herod was the main threat?
The angel says, "they are dead which sought the young child's life." This might seem a little confusing, as Herod was the one actively trying to kill Jesus. So, who is 'they'?
More Than Just One Tyrant
Scholars have pointed out a few possibilities:
Understand the original words
Israēl · Greek Proper Noun
The promised land given by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It signifies the place where God’s covenant promises are uniquely centered and where His people reside under His care.
The plural 'they are dead' in the angel's message likely refers to King Herod, the primary instigator of the massacre, and potentially his son Antipater, who was executed shortly before Herod's death and was also a contender for the throne. This historical context highlights the immense danger Jesus faced from the very beginning of his life.
37 BC
Herod the Great Appointed King
Rome appoints Herod the Great as King of Judea, initiating a period of turbulent rule marked by political intrigue and violence.
c. 4 BC— this verse
Herod the Great Orders the Massacre of the Innocents
Fearing the prophesied newborn King of the Jews, Herod orders the brutal killing of all young male children in Bethlehem and its vicinity. This act of desperate tyranny sets the stage for Jesus's family fleeing to Egypt.
c. 4 BC
Death of Herod the Great
Herod the Great dies, after a notoriously cruel reign and a painful illness. His death removes the immediate threat to the young Jesus.
c. 4 BC
Archelaus Succeeds Herod in Judea
Herod's son, Archelaus, takes control of Judea. His brutal reign and the ongoing political instability in Judea cause Joseph to hesitate in returning to Bethlehem.
This passage is directly alluded to, as the angel's words to Joseph echo God's command to Moses to return to Egypt because his persecutors were dead.
1 Samuel 13:19This verse describes the limited extent of Israelite craftsmanship, mirroring how Matthew specifies 'the land of Israel' rather than a more specific region, allowing for flexibility in Joseph's return.
Ezekiel 11:17This prophecy speaks of God gathering His people to the land of Israel, paralleling the divine instruction for Jesus and His family to return to the promised land.
Matthew 1:19This verse describes Joseph's honorable character, highlighting why he would be receptive to the angel's divine messages and instructions for his family's safety.
Matthew 2:22This verse shows Joseph's continued reliance on divine guidance even after returning to Israel, demonstrating a pattern of obedience to heavenly communication.
bensonMatthew 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."
Matthew 2:20 . They are dead which sought the young child’s life — It has been conjectured by some, that Antipater, the son of Herod, who died but five days before his father, might also be referred to in these words, They are dead, &c. At the time when Christ was born, he was heir apparent to the crown, and was a prince so cruel and ambi…
barnesMatthew 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."
They are dead who sought ... - This either refers to Herod alone, as is not uncommon, using the plural number for the singular; or it may refer to Herod and his son Antipater. He was of the same cruel disposition as his father, and was put to death by his father about five days before his own death.
The plural "they" isn't just a casual way of speaking; it might be a deliberate echo of the Exodus story where Moses was told "all the men who sought your life are dead." This deliberate parallel suggests God is orchestrating a new deliverance, mirroring the old, as Jesus steps into His role as the ultimate rescuer.
Following Herod's murderous decree and the Magi's timely warning, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream while they are in Egypt. The angel instructs Joseph to return to Israel now that King Herod, the one who sought Jesus' life, has died.
Following Herod's murderous decree and the Magi's timely warning, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream while they are in Egypt. The angel instructs Joseph to return to Israel now that King Herod, the one who sought Jesus' life, has died.
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Regardless of the exact interpretation, the plural emphasizes that the threat against Jesus was significant, encompassing not just one man but a determined opposition.
The angel directs Joseph to the 'land of Israel,' but not just anywhere. Why was this specific region so important?
The angel's instruction to go to the "land of Israel" wasn't a random geographical suggestion. It was divinely ordained for Jesus' upbringing and future ministry.
The Promised Land
Joseph was told to take Jesus and Mary "into the land of Israel." This meant returning to their homeland, the place God had chosen for His people. However, they ended up in Galilee, specifically the town of Nazareth, rather than Judea.
God’s care for Jesus extended to the very place He would call home, ensuring His safety and setting the stage for His divine purpose.
c. 4 BC
Joseph Returns to Nazareth
Guided by a divine dream, Joseph decides to settle with his family in Nazareth, Galilee, rather than Judea, to avoid the dangers posed by Archelaus.
"saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”" — The plural "they" isn't just a casual way of speaking; it might be a deliberate echo of the Exodus story where Moses was told "all the men who sought your life are dead." This deliberate parallel sug…
