The Flight and the Return: A Post-Herod Journey
The story of Jesus' birth is one of immense significance, filled with celestial signs and humble beginnings. Following the wise men's visit and the dream that warned Joseph of King Herod's murderous intent, Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus fled to Egypt. They remained there for a period, seeking refuge from Herod's wrath. But what happened after Herod's death? Where did this holy family go once the threat had passed?
The Divine Directive for Their Return
The answer, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, lies in another divine intervention. After Herod the Great, a cruel and ambitious ruler, died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream while he was still in Egypt.
Matthew 2:19-20 states: "But when Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who tried to take the child’s life are dead.'"
This angelic instruction was crucial. It signaled that the immediate danger had passed and it was safe for them to return to their homeland.
The Return to Israel and a New King's Shadow
Following the angel's command, Joseph "got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel." This marked the end of their sojourn in Egypt and the beginning of their journey back towards their roots.
However, the return wasn't a simple homecoming to their previous, uneventful life. Upon their arrival in Judea, Joseph learned that Archelaus, Herod's son, had become the new king. This news was not reassuring. Archelaus, like his father, was known for his cruelty and tyrannical rule. Matthew 2:22 continues: "But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there."
This fear was well-founded. Archelaus was responsible for the massacre of thousands of Jews during his coronation, demonstrating a similar, if not amplified, level of brutality as his father.
A Detour to Galilee: Seeking Safety
Fearing that Archelaus would pose a similar threat to Jesus as Herod had, Joseph made a wise and cautious decision. Instead of settling in Judea, where the danger seemed imminent, he redirected their path north.
Matthew 2:22-23 elaborates: "Having been warned in a dream not to go to Judea, he turned and went instead to the region of Galilee. And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth."
This decision was divinely guided, as indicated by the dream that warned him away from Judea. By choosing Galilee, they moved to a territory that was not under Archelaus's direct rule at that time. This region was considered less politically volatile and offered a greater degree of safety for the growing Jesus and his family.
The Significance of Nazareth
Their ultimate destination was the town of Nazareth, a small village in Galilee. This is where Joseph and Mary had originally lived before Jesus' birth, as confirmed by the Gospel of Luke. The choice of Nazareth was not arbitrary; it was to fulfill a prophecy.
Matthew 2:23 states: "So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene."
While the specific Old Testament prophet and passage are debated, the New Testament writers saw this resettlement in Nazareth as a fulfillment of prophecy, underscoring the divine plan for Jesus' life and upbringing.
In Summary: The Journey's Path
Therefore, after Herod died, Joseph and Mary:
- Received divine instruction in a dream to return from Egypt.
- Traveled back to the land of Israel.
- Heard that Herod's son, Archelaus, had taken the throne in Judea.
- Fearing Archelaus's cruelty, they were warned in another dream not to go to Judea.
- Instead, they journeyed to the region of Galilee.
- Settled in the town of Nazareth, fulfilling prophecy.
This careful and divinely guided relocation ensured the safety of Jesus and established the setting for his formative years. Nazareth, though humble, became the home where Jesus grew "in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long did Joseph and Mary stay in Egypt?
The Bible does not provide an exact duration for Joseph and Mary's stay in Egypt. It is generally understood to have been for a period of months, long enough for Herod to die, and for the divine instruction to return to be given. The focus is on their safety and the fulfillment of God's plan, rather than a precise timeline.
Why was Joseph afraid to return to Judea?
Joseph was afraid to return to Judea because Herod's son, Archelaus, who had succeeded him as king, was known for his extreme cruelty and tyrannical rule. Joseph had previously fled to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod the Great, and he feared that Archelaus would pose a similar, if not greater, threat to the infant Jesus.
Why did they choose Nazareth specifically?
Joseph and Mary chose Nazareth because it was their original home and a place of relative peace in Galilee, away from the direct and dangerous rule of Archelaus in Judea. Furthermore, their resettlement in Nazareth was seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies that foretold Jesus would be called a "Nazarene."
What happened to Herod's other sons?
Herod the Great had many sons, and after his death, the kingdom was divided among three of them. Archelaus ruled Judea and Samaria as ethnarch. Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea as tetrarch, and Philip ruled the northeastern territories as tetrarch. It was Archelaus's cruel reign that specifically caused Joseph concern for Jesus' safety.
