That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother,
Parallel translations
- WEB He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt,
- KJV When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
- BSB So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt,
- NKJV When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,
- NASB So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joseph rises that very night and takes the child and Mary to Egypt. His swift obedience safeguards Jesus.
Overview
Without delay, Joseph obeys the angel and undertakes the difficult night journey to safety. His prompt action reflects the faith and reliability that mark him throughout the narrative. The flight to Egypt mirrors Israel's own history and prepares for the prophecy that follows.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Matt 2:20–21“Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”
- Acts 26:21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me.
- Matt 1:24Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Pastoral
On the genealogy and the name Immanuel.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 2:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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