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.

MATTHEW 2:13KJV
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Matthew 2:13 (KJV)

What does Matthew 2:13 mean?

Matthew 2:13 describes how, after the wise men left, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and the young Jesus and escape to Egypt, because King Herod was planning to kill the child. Joseph was told to stay in Egypt until he received further instructions.

In this verse, the angel’s warning comes right after the visit of the wise men, showing the urgency of the situation. The message is given directly to Joseph, who is responsible for protecting his family. The instruction to flee to Egypt highlights the real danger from Herod and sets up the next part of the story, where Jesus’ early life involves being a refugee in a foreign land.

The Greek behind Matthew 2:13

  • ἄγγελος (angelos): This word means "messenger" and is used here for the angel who brings God’s warning to Joseph. The appearance in a dream (ὄναρ, onar) shows a pattern in Matthew where God communicates important guidance through dreams.
  • φεύγω (pheugō, "flee"): The Greek word used here carries a sense of urgent escape from danger, not just a casual departure. This emphasizes the real threat to Jesus’ life.
  • ζητέω (zēteō, "seek"): Herod is described as actively seeking the child, which in Greek often means searching with intent or determination. This highlights Herod’s serious intent to harm Jesus.
  • ἀπολέσαι (apolesai, "to destroy"): The Greek word here is strong, meaning to utterly destroy or kill, making clear the deadly seriousness of Herod’s plan.

Why Matthew 2:13 matters

  • Matthew 2:13 clears up that Joseph’s move to Egypt was not a random journey but a direct response to a divine warning, showing God’s care and guidance for Jesus’ safety.
  • The verse connects Jesus’ early life to the larger biblical theme of God’s people finding refuge in Egypt, linking Jesus’ story to Israel’s history.
  • This moment sets up the coming events in Matthew, explaining why Jesus’ family was in Egypt and how prophecy would be fulfilled through these actions.

Where else these words appear

“thou” Greek G2468 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  • Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
  • Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

“dream” Greek G3677 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But 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.
  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

“departed” Greek G402 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Matthew 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
  • Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

“Egypt” Greek G125 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
  • Acts 7:12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
  • Acts 13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.