Matthew 2:19–23:
The Return from Egypt and Settlement in Natsa-reth

Correct Interpretation of Matthew 2:19–23

After showing how Jesus was taken to Egypt to escape Herod (Matthew 2:13–18), Matthew now recounts His return to the land of Israel. The story continues to recall the exodus: the Son comes out of Egypt and returns to the land after the death of those who sought to kill Him. However, the danger in Judea ultimately leads the family to Natsa-reth, where Jesus will grow up. Matthew thus concludes the infancy narrative by showing that even these events form part of the fulfillment of the Scriptures and prepare the place from which the Messiah will become known.

(vv. 19–20)
«19 Now Herod having died, there, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 saying: “Get up, take the young Child and His mother and go into the land of Israel, for those seeking the life of the young Child have died.”»

After Herod’s death, God again speaks to Joseph through a dream and commands him to return with Jesus and Mary to the land of Israel.

The words “those seeking the life of the young Child have died” strongly recall what God said to Moses when the danger that had kept him away from Egypt had ended: “all the men who were seeking your life are dead” (Exodus 4:19).

This parallel continues the connection Matthew has been establishing with the story of the exodus. Herod had acted like Pharaoh by ordering the death of the children, Jesus had been preserved and taken to Egypt, and now He returns after the death of the one who sought to kill Him.

Matthew thus presents the story of Jesus through familiar patterns from the history of Israel and Moses, preparing the reader for a new stage in God’s work through the Messiah.

(v. 21)
«So he got up and took the young Child and His mother and went into the land of Israel.»

Joseph again responds by immediately obeying the instruction he receives.

Just as he had taken the young Child to Egypt when warned of the danger, he now brings Him back to the land of Israel when God tells him that he can return.

The account continues to show Joseph’s consistent obedience in carrying out the responsibility God had entrusted to him.

(v. 22)
«But hearing that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream he proceeded into the region of Galilee.»

Upon returning, Joseph learns that Archelaus, one of Herod’s sons, is reigning over Judea.

Archelaus was known for his harshness, so Joseph’s fear of settling there is understandable.

God then warns him again in a dream, and Joseph proceeds into the region of Galilee.

The family does not end up settling in Judea near Bethlehem, but in a different region, thus preparing the setting where Jesus will grow up and later begin His ministry.

(v. 23)
«And upon arriving he settled in a city called Natsa-reth [Branch-town], so that what was spoken through the prophets should be fulfilled, that He would be called a Natsorean [Branch-man].»

Joseph finally settles in Natsa-reth, in Galilee, where Jesus will grow up.

This statement of fulfillment differs from the earlier ones. Matthew does not say “through the prophet”, pointing to one specific text, but “through the prophets”, and there is no sentence in the Old Testament that literally says, “He would be called a Natsorean.”

Matthew is therefore probably summarizing a prophetic theme or making use of an association familiar to his readers.

One possibility is that “Natsorean” is connected with the humble and despised condition that would characterize the Messiah. Natsa-reth was a place held in low regard, and Jesus would later be despised and rejected, as the prophets had announced concerning God’s Servant.

A possible connection has also been noted with Isaiah 11:1, where David’s descendant is described as a “Branch”—netzer in Hebrew—coming forth from the roots of Jesse. If this is the allusion, Matthew would once again be connecting Jesus of Natsa-reth with the promised Davidic descendant.

It is not possible to determine with absolute certainty which of these associations Matthew primarily has in mind. What he does make clear is that even Jesus’ identification as a “Natsorean” fits the portrait of the Messiah spoken of through the prophets.

Implications

• Jesus continues to retrace the history of Israel: He comes out of Egypt and returns to the land, continuing the pattern Matthew has been developing.
• Jesus also parallels Moses: He returns after the death of those who sought His life, using language that even recalls Exodus 4:19.
• Opposition cannot prevent the Messiah’s mission: Herod dies, and Jesus continues toward the purpose for which He has come.
• The Scriptures converge on Jesus in different ways: Matthew recognizes in His life both prophecies and patterns and themes revealed beforehand.
• The Messiah enters history from a humble position: Jesus will be known as the Natsorean, an identification that will accompany Him throughout His later ministry.

Applications

• Obey when God’s will is clear: Joseph repeatedly responds to the word he receives.
• Do not let humble circumstances cause you to despise God’s work: Jesus grew up being known as a man from Natsa-reth.
• Trust God’s faithfulness in the face of opposition: those who tried to destroy the Messiah could not prevent His mission.
• Read the Scriptures recognizing their different forms of fulfillment: the promises and great biblical patterns reach their fullness in Christ.
• Do not judge Christ by human standards of prestige: the promised King grew up in a place many would consider insignificant.

Summary

In Matthew 2:19–23, after Herod’s death, God commands Joseph to return with Jesus and Mary to the land of Israel. The words “those seeking the life of the young Child have died” recall Moses’ return after the death of those who sought to kill him, thus continuing the parallels with the story of the exodus. Because Archelaus is reigning over Judea, the family ultimately proceeds to Galilee and settles in Natsa-reth. Matthew says that in this way what had been spoken “through the prophets” was fulfilled, that the Messiah would be called a Natsorean. Although the precise reference cannot be identified with certainty in a single prophetic text, Matthew shows that even this humble identification of Jesus fits the portrait of the Messiah announced in the Scriptures.

Prayer

Our Father, we thank You because You preserved Jesus Christ and faithfully fulfilled what You had announced concerning the Messiah.

Thank You that no opposition could prevent the mission of Your Son, and that in Him we see the promises and the history You had revealed in the Scriptures reaching their fulfillment.

Give us an obedient heart like Joseph’s and teach us to receive Your Word with humility.

Guard us also from judging according to prestige and outward appearances, remembering that Jesus, our King, accepted being known as the Natsorean.

Help us recognize with ever greater clarity how the Scriptures lead us to Christ, and help us follow Him with obedience and trust.

We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.