Matthew 2:19

The Return to Nazareth

2:19 After Herod ¹  had died, an ²  angel of the Lord ³  appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt

Matthew 2:1

The Visit of the Wise Men

2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem ⁴  in Judea, in the time ⁵  of King Herod, ⁶  wise men ⁷  from the East came to Jerusalem ⁸ 

Matthew 14:6

14:6 But on Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,

Matthew 2:15

2:15 He stayed there until Herod ⁹  died. In this way what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet was fulfilled: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” ¹⁰ 

Matthew 2:22

2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus ¹¹  was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, ¹²  he was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he went to the regions of Galilee.

[2:19]  ¹ sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1. When Herod the Great died in 4 b.c., his kingdom was divided up among his three sons: Archelaus, who ruled over Judea (where Bethlehem was located, v. 22); Philip, who became tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis (cf. Luke 3:1); and Antipas, who became tetrarch of Galilee.

[2:19]  ² tn Grk “behold, an angel.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

[2:19]  ³ tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 1:20.

[2:1]  ⁴ map For location see Map5 B1; Map7 E2; Map8 E2; Map10 B4.

[2:1]  ⁵ tn Grk “in the days.”

[2:1]  ⁶ sn King Herod was Herod the Great, who ruled Palestine from 37 b.c. until he died in 4 b.c. He was known for his extensive building projects (including the temple in Jerusalem) and for his cruelty.

[2:1]  ⁷ sn The Greek term magi here describes a class of wise men and priests who were astrologers (L&N 32.40).

[2:1]  ⁸ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[2:15]  ⁷ sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1.

[2:15]  ⁸ sn A quotation from Hos 11:1.

[2:22]  ¹⁰ sn Archelaus took after his father Herod the Great in terms of cruelty and ruthlessness, so Joseph was afraid to go there. After further direction in a dream, he went instead to Galilee.

[2:22]  ¹¹ sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1.