Matthew 2:14

14 And Joseph rose [up], and took the child and his mother by night, and went into Egypt,

Matthew 2:14 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 2:14

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother,
&c.] That is, as soon as he awoke out of sleep, and rose from his bed, he did as he was commanded, he prepared for his journey; and very opportunely had the wise men presented their gifts; the gold they brought served to defray the expense of this journey, and which no doubt was so ordered by divine providence for this purpose. Joseph was very punctual and expeditious in obeying the command of God; he took the young child and his mother,

by night,
the very selfsame night in which he had this notice; and which season was the most fitting to depart in for secrecy, and most commodious and agreeable to travel in, in those hot countries: hence it appears very manifest, that the coming of the wise men, and the departure of Joseph with Mary and Jesus into Egypt, could not be within a fortnight after the birth of Christ, nor any time before Mary's Purification; since such a journey must have been very improper and unsuitable, at any time within that period; but rather Jesus must be about two years of age, whether something under, or over, it matters not, when Joseph with him

departed into Egypt:
what part of Egypt he went into is not certain. The Jews say that Jesus went to Alexandria in Egypt, and which is probable enough; since this was a place greatly resorted to at this time by Jews, and where provision was made for their sustenance; though they greatly mistake the person with whom he went; for they say ^F6 that R. Joshua ben Perachiah, whom they pretend was his master, went to Alexandria in Egypt, and Jesus with him. However, this is an acknowledgment of the truth of this part of Christ's history, that he was in Egypt; as also when they blasphemously and maliciously say ^F7, did not Ben Stada, by whom they mean Jesus, bring enchantments or magic, (Myrumm Mypvk) , "out of Egypt", in a cutting in the flesh? To which wicked accusation Arnobius seems to refer ^F8, when he says,

``perhaps we may meet with many other of these reproachful and childish sayings; as that he was a magician, that he performed all these things by secret arts, and that he stole strange sciences, and the names of mighty angels, out of the temples of the Egyptians.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 T. Bab. Sanhedrim, fol. 107. 2. Cabala R. Abraham. Juchasin, fol. 16. 2.
F7 T. Hieros. Sabbat. fol. 13. 1. Bab. Sabbat. fol. 104. 2.
F8 Adv. Gentes, l. 1. p. 36.

Matthew 2:14 In-Context

12 And when they had taken an answer in sleep, that they should not turn again to Herod, they turned again by another way into their [own] country. [+And an answer taken in sleep, that they should not turn again to Herod, they be turned by another way into their own country.]

13 And when they were gone [And when they had gone away], lo! the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in sleep, and said [saying], Rise up, and take the child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there, till that I say to thee; for it is to come, that Herod seek the child, to destroy him [to lose him].

14 And Joseph rose [up], and took the child and his mother by night, and went into Egypt,

15 and he was there till the death of Herod; that it should be fulfilled, that was said of the Lord by the prophet, saying, From Egypt I have called my son.

16 Then Herod seeing that he was scorned, either deceived, of the astrologers [Then Herod seeing that he was scorned, or deceived, of the kings], was full wroth; and he sent, and slew all the children, that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years age and within, after the time that he had inquired of the astrologers [after the time that he had sought out of the kings].