Meaning of Matthew 2:13

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the infancy narrative of Jesus, directly following the visit of the Magi and highlighting God's providential care for His Son amidst mortal danger. The angel's appearance to Joseph in a dream is a recurring motif in Matthew's Gospel, underscoring God's communication with humanity through dreams, particularly when direct divine intervention is required to guide and protect. The instruction to flee to Egypt is a strategic maneuver, not only to preserve Jesus' life from the tyrannical King Herod but also to fulfill prophecy, thereby weaving the early life of the Messiah into the fabric of Old Testament foretelling. This flight and subsequent sojourn in Egypt are presented as a divine rescue operation, demonstrating that even from its inception, Jesus' life was under God's watchful protection, necessitating earthly obedience and courageous action from His earthly guardians.

Context and Background

The visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12) had just concluded, revealing the birth of the "King of the Jews" and alarming the reigning monarch, Herod the Great. Herod, a ruthless and paranoid ruler, perceived Jesus as a direct threat to his power. Upon learning that the Magi had not returned to report Jesus' location, Herod, in a fit of rage and fear, ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, based on the information he had gathered from the Magi about the star's appearance. It is within this immediate context of imminent danger, orchestrated by human wickedness, that the divine intervention described in Matthew 2:13 occurs. Joseph, having already demonstrated his obedience by traveling to Bethlehem and then being visited by the Magi, is now called to a more perilous journey.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Providence and Protection: The primary message is God's active intervention to protect His Son. Despite Herod's murderous intent, God forewarns Joseph and provides a clear escape route, illustrating that no earthly power can thwart God's ultimate plan for salvation.
• Obedience and Faith: Joseph is called to immediate and unquestioning obedience. He must trust the divine message and act swiftly, even though it means abandoning his home and embarking on an unknown journey. This highlights the necessity of faith in God's guidance.
• Fulfillment of Prophecy: The flight to Egypt is not merely an escape but a deliberate act that fulfills Old Testament prophecy, specifically Hosea 11:1, "Out of Egypt I called my son." This reinforces the idea that Jesus' life, from beginning to end, is intricately linked to God's redemptive plan as foretold in Scripture.
• The Vulnerability of the Messiah: The verse underscores the human vulnerability of Jesus, who, as an infant, was subject to the same dangers and threats as any other child. However, this vulnerability is juxtaposed with God's omnipotence, ensuring His survival.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This passage speaks powerfully to believers about God's care for them, even in times of great peril and uncertainty. It assures us that God is aware of our struggles and will often provide guidance and protection through various means, including what may appear as unexpected or even dream-like promptings. The call to obedience, as exemplified by Joseph, is a constant theme in the Christian life; we are called to trust God's direction, even when it leads us down difficult or unfamiliar paths. The act of fleeing to Egypt also has spiritual implications, suggesting that sometimes, to preserve life and faith, believers may need to withdraw from hostile environments, seeking refuge and spiritual renewal.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The flight to Egypt is a crucial element in establishing Jesus as the promised Messiah who recapitulates Israel's history. Just as God delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt, He now delivers His Son from a similar threat, thereby identifying Jesus as the new Israel, the true Son of God who will lead His people to spiritual liberation. This event connects the New Testament narrative directly to the foundational stories of the Old Testament, demonstrating continuity in God's salvific purpose. The angel's role as a messenger of God is a consistent feature throughout the Bible, from the patriarchs to the New Testament prophets.

Analogies

• A Protected Seed: Imagine a precious seed, vital for future growth, being threatened by frost. A gardener, foreseeing the danger, carefully moves the seed to a protected greenhouse until the threat passes. God acts as the ultimate Gardener, safeguarding His most precious Seed, Jesus.
• A Royal Fugitive: Consider a rightful heir to a throne who must flee a usurper. The heir's loyal protectors, guided by secret intelligence, orchestrate a covert escape to a safe haven until the time is right for their return. Joseph, guided by the angel, acts as a loyal protector for the true King.
• A Shepherd Guiding His Flock: A shepherd, sensing danger from predators, gathers his lambs and leads them to a secure enclosure, away from harm. God, the Good Shepherd, leads His Son and His earthly guardians to safety.

Relation to Other Verses

• Matthew 2:15: This verse immediately follows, stating, "and stayed there until the time of Herod’s death. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” This directly links the flight to Egypt with the fulfillment of Hosea 11:1.
• Hosea 11:1: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son." Matthew's use of this prophecy highlights Jesus as the embodiment of God's relationship with His people, and the flight to Egypt as a divine redemptive act mirroring Israel's exodus.
• Matthew 1:18-25: The birth of Jesus is described as occurring while Mary was betrothed to Joseph, and an angel also appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. This establishes a pattern of divine communication through dreams to Joseph concerning Jesus.
• Exodus 4:21-23: God tells Moses that he will perform signs in Egypt and that Israel is His "firstborn son," and He commands Moses to tell Pharaoh, "Let my son go, so that he may worship me." The parallels between Moses leading Israel out of Egypt and Joseph taking Jesus to Egypt and then back are significant, positioning Jesus as the new Moses and the true Son of God.
• Luke 2:22-24: While not mentioning the flight to Egypt, Luke's account of Jesus' presentation at the temple includes Simeon's prophecy that Jesus would be "a sign of contradiction" and that "a sword will pierce your own soul too," foreshadowing the suffering and danger Jesus would face.