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 2:20KJV
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Matthew 2:20 (KJV)

What does Matthew 2:20 mean?

Matthew 2:20 records an angel telling Joseph in a dream to get up, take Jesus and Mary, and return to Israel because those who wanted to kill the child are now dead. This verse marks the end of the immediate threat to Jesus’ life from King Herod and signals it is safe for the family to leave Egypt.

The angel is speaking directly to Joseph, who had taken Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s order to kill young boys in Bethlehem. The message reassures Joseph that the danger has passed, using clear instructions to return to their homeland. The verse highlights God’s guidance and protection over Jesus’ early life.

The Greek behind Matthew 2:20

  • ἐγείρω (egeirō, "Arise"): This word often means to "wake up" or "get up," and here it carries a sense of urgency, telling Joseph to act promptly.
  • τεθνήκασιν (tethnēkasin, "are dead"): The Greek verb is in the perfect tense, suggesting the threat is completely finished—the people who sought Jesus’ life are no longer alive.
  • ζητοῦντες (zētountes, "sought"): This word means "seeking" or "trying to find," emphasizing that there was an active effort to harm Jesus, not just a passive danger.
  • ψυχή (psychē, "life"): While often translated as "soul" or "life," in this context it refers to the physical life of the child, underlining the mortal danger Jesus faced.

Why Matthew 2:20 matters

  • Matthew 2:20 clarifies that God’s guidance to Joseph was specific and timely, showing divine care for Jesus’ safety and the fulfillment of prophecy.
  • The verse connects back to earlier warnings and dreams, showing a pattern of God communicating with Joseph in critical moments.
  • By stating that those who sought the child’s life are dead, the verse closes the chapter on Herod’s threat and prepares the way for Jesus’ return to Israel, tying Jesus’ early experiences to the larger story of Israel’s history and deliverance.

Where else these words appear

“dead” Greek G2348 · used in 13 verses

  • Mark 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
  • John 11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
  • John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

“child” Greek G3813 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
  • Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

“take” Greek G3880 · used in 50 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.
  • Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
  • Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

“Israel” Greek G2474 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
  • Acts 28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.