Mat 2:12-13, 19, 22 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 12. Warned of God , etc. This was done, doubtless, because, if they had given Herod precise information where he was, it would have been easy for him to send forth and slay him. And from it we learn that God will watch over those whom he loves; that he knows how to foil the purposes of the wicked, and to deliver his own out of the hands of those who would destroy them. In a dream . . (a) "in a dream"

Matthew 2:12-13

Verse 12. Warned of God, etc. This was done, doubtless, because, if they had given Herod precise information where he was, it would have been easy for him to send forth and slay him. And from it we learn that God will watch over those whom he loves; that he knows how to foil the purposes of the wicked, and to deliver his own out of the hands of those who would destroy them.

In a dream. Mt 1:20.

(a) "in a dream" Mt 1:20 Verse 13. The angel. See Mt 1:20.

Flee into Egypt. Egypt is situated to the south-west of Judea, and is distant from Bethlehem perhaps about sixty miles. It was at this time a Roman province. The Greek language was spoken there. There were many Jews there, who had a temple and synagogues; and Joseph, therefore, would be among his own countrymen, and yet beyond the reach of Herod. The jurisdiction of Herod extended only to the river Sihon or river of Egypt, and of course, beyond that, Joseph was safe from his designs. For a description of Egypt, Isa 19:1. It is remarkable that this is the only time in which our Saviour was out of Palestine, and that this was in the land where the children of Israel had suffered so much and so long under the oppression of the Egyptian kings. The very land which was the land of bondage and groaning for the Jews, became now the land of refuge and safety for the new-born King of Judea. God can overturn nations and kingdoms, so that those whom he loves shall be safe anywhere.

(b) "for Herod" Job 33:15,17

Matthew 2:19

Verse 19. Herod was dead. Mt 2:15. Herod left three sons, and the kingdom was at his death divided between them. To Archelaus was given Judea, Idumea, and Samaria; to Philip, Batanea, Trachonitis, etc.; to Antipas, Galllea and Perea. Each of these was also called Herod, and these are the individuals who are so frequently referred to in the New Testament during the ministry of the Saviour and the labours of the apostles. The following table will show at a glance the chief connexions of this family, as far as they are mentioned in the sacred history. =======================================================================

----------- --------------- ----------- ---------------

----------- |-------------- ----------- | ---------------

| |

----------------- ---------------- |

| Aristobolus | ----|Herodias, after| |

----------------- |wards wife of | |

| | |Herod Antipas |------------------

--------------- ------------- |Herod Philip |

|Ac 12:1 | |son of above| |-----------------

-------|------- -------|------ |

--------------- ------------ ------------

|Ac 25:13 26:2 | | Mr 6:22 | |Mr 6:22 |

--------------- ------------ ------------

----------------- --------------- ------------- ---------------

---------------------------------- ------------- | ---------------

----------------- |-------------- |

|Archelaus | | Philip | -------------| ________________

|Mt 2:22 | | Lu 3:1 | |Herod Antipas|__|Herodias |

----------------- -------------- |Mt 14:1 | |before married|

--------------- |to her uncle |

|Philip |

----------------

Matthew 2:22

Verse 22. He heard that Archelaus did reign. Archelaus possessed a cruel and tyrannical disposition similar to his father. At one of the passovers he caused three thousand of the people to be put to death in the temple and city. For his crimes, after he had reigned nine years, he was banished by Augustus, the Roman emperor, to Gaul, where he died. Knowing his character, and fearing that he would not be safe there, Joseph hesitated about going there, and was directed by God to go to Galilee, a place of safety.

The parts of Galilee. The country of Galilee. At this time the land of Palestine was divided into three parts: GALILEE, on the north; SAMARIA, in the middle; and Judea, on the south. Galilee was under the government of Herod Antipas, who was comparatively a mild prince; and in his dominions Joseph might find safety.

(g) "parts of Galilee" Mt 3:13, Lk 2:39