Matthew 2:20

20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

Matthew 2:20 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
20 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”
The Message Bible (MSG)
20 "Up, take the child and his mother and return to Israel. All those out to murder the child are dead."
American Standard Version (ASV)
20 Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child's life.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
20 The angel said to him, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to Israel. Those who tried to kill the child are dead."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20 saying, "Get up! Take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because those who sought the child's life are dead."
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
20 The angel said, "Get up! Take the child and his mother. Go to the land of Israel. Those who were trying to kill the child are dead."

Matthew 2:20 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 2:20

Saying, arise, and take the young child and his mother,
&c.] Joseph strictly observed and obeyed the divine command of the angel, who had ordered him to continue in Egypt, till he brought him word what he should do, and where he should go: here he was with Mary and Jesus, when the angel bid him arise, and take them with him,

and go into the land of Israel.
He does not bid him go to Bethlehem or Nazareth, or any particular place, but the land of Israel, where he might go even into any part of it, without fear; and gives this reason for it,

for they are dead which sought the young child's life;
meaning either Herod only, the plural number being put for the singular; or including Antipater his son with him, who might be equally concerned in seeking the life of Christ; since he was next heir, and whom Herod F26 ordered to be slain about five days before his death; or else designing with him many of the executioners of the infants at Bethlehem, and thereabout; who might have been, as well as he, miserable instances of divine vengeance, for their concern in that barbarous tragedy.


FOOTNOTES:

F26 Joseph. de Bello Judaico, l. 1. c. 33. sect. 8, 9.

Matthew 2:20 In-Context

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt
20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,

Cross References 1

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