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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 2:19-23

We have here Christ's return out of Egypt into the land of Israel again. Egypt may serve to sojourn in, or take shelter in, for a while, but not to abide in. Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and therefore to them he must return. Observe, I. What it was that made way for his return?the death of Herod, which happened not long after the murder of the infants; some think not above three months. Such quick work did divine vengeance make! Note, Herods must die; proud... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 2:19-23

2:19-23 When Herod died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. "Rise," he said, "and take the little child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For those who seek the little child's life are dead." So he rose and took the little child and his mother, and went into the land of Israel. When he heard that Archelaus was king in Judaea instead of Herod, his father, he was afraid to go there. So, when, he had received a message from God in a dream, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 2:19

But when Herod was dead ,.... Who died, as before observed, a few months after this tragedy was acted; and, according to the F23 Megillah Taanith apud Van Till. de anno, &c.; Christ. Nat. p. 122. Jewish writers, on the seventh day of the month Cisleu, and which answers to the twenty fifth of our November: and was afterwards observed as a day of rejoicing by the Jews. The account which Josephus F24 De Bello Judaic. l. 1. c. 33. sect. 5. 7. & Antiq. l. 17. c. 9. , and from... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 2:19

Verse 19 19.But when Herod was dead These words show the perseverance of Joseph’s faith. He kept his feet firm in Egypt, till he was recalled to his native country by a command of God. We see, at the same time, that the Lord never disappoints his own people, but renders them seasonable aid. It is probable that Joseph returned from Egypt immediately after the death of Herod, before Augustus Caesar had issued his decree, appointing Archelaus to be governor of Judea. Having been declared by his... 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 2:13-22

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 2:19

But when Herod was dead . Does the repetition of the tenor of Matthew 2:15 point to a different source? Behold, an angel (rightly; contrast Matthew 1:20 , note) of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph ( φαίνεται κατ ὄναρ , as in Matthew 2:13 ). In both cases the stress is on the fact of the appearance, not on its mode. In Egypt. The evangelist will leave no room for doubt as to where Joseph then was (cf. note at head of chapter). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 2:19-23

The return from Egypt and settlement in Nazareth. read more

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