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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 2:13-15

We have here Christ's flight into Egypt to avoid the cruelty of Herod, and this was the effect of the wise men's enquiry after him; for, before that, the obscurity he lay in was his protection. It was but little respect (compared with what should have been) that was paid to Christ in his infancy: yet even that, instead of honouring him among his people, did but expose him. Now here observe, 1. The command given to Joseph concerning it, Matt. 2:13. Joseph knew neither the danger the child was... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 2:13-15

2:13-15 When they had gone away, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph. "Rise," he said, "and take the little child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the little child, in order to kill him." So he arose and took the little child and his mother by night and went away into Egypt, and he remained there until the death of Herod. This happened that the word spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:14

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother ,.... 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,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:1-23

Of these naturally the first is the most important, and it may indeed be that the chief object of the evangelist was to show that Jesus satisfied the conditions of prophecy with respect to his birth. He was only driven from Bethlehem to Egypt and subsequently to Nazareth by the jealousy of the ruler of the Jews. While, however, the fulfilment of prophecy by Jesus the Christ was doubtless the most prominent thought in the evangelist's mind, the typical character of the treatment received... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:1-23

Childhood of Jesus. I. HEROD AND JESUS . The king and the Babe; earthly might and spiritual power. This contrast comes continually in view throughout the life of Christ, but never more strikingly than here. Depict the apparent helplessness of the young Child when confronted with the relentless and crafty hostility of Herod. The restless, suspicious jealousy of the old king, and the guileless, unconscious innocence of the Child. The selfish cruelty of the despot, and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:13-15

System in providence. It were a truism to say that there is wisdom in providence; for otherwise providence could not be Divine. In that wisdom there is what Paul describes as a manifoldness ( Ephesians 3:10 ). And this appears in a system of developments and correspondences, evincing at the same time unity of plan. The text furnishes striking illustrations. It suggests— I. THAT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WERE CHRIST TYPICAL . 1 . For Hosea 's allusion is historical. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:13-22

The providence that befriended the earliest life of Jesus. Three times in this chapter, as well as once in the preceding ( Matthew 1:20 ), do we thus read of the intervention of particular Divine directions given to Joseph in the interest of the infant Jesus. The grand head under which events of this kind must seek and find their classification is that of providence. The next greatest fact to creation is providence, without which creation itself would soon have proved a still-born thing,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:13-23

The Lord's infancy. I. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT . 1 . The dream of Joseph. The visit of the Wise Men, with their adoring worship and their costly gifts, is followed by persecution and distress. The opening life of the Lord exhibits those vicissitudes which were to occur again and again in the history of his Church and in the lives of individual Christians. The bright sunshine of success and popularity is soon clouded by seeming failure, by perplexity and persecution. It is what we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:14

When he arose, he took ; Revised Version, and he arose and took. The ἐγερθείς here, as in Matthew 2:13 , precludes delay. The young Child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt . As St. Paul in after years was able to connect himself with fellow-craftsmen, and thus maintain himself ( Acts 18:3 ), so might Joseph reasonably expect to be able to do in Egypt, and the more so since the connexion there between those who worked at the same trade seems to have been even... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 2:14

When he arose - Having arisen; that is, he arose immediately after awaking from his dream, and prepared at once to obey the command,By night - Thus he showed his prompt obedience to the command, and at the same time so concealed his departure as to render himself and Mary and the child safe from pursuit. read more

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