Devine Scripture

Matthew 2:15

What does Matthew 2:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 2:15 means

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus remained in Egypt until Herod's death, a detail that Matthew explicitly connects to the fulfillment of prophecy: "Out of Egypt did I call my son." This quote from Hosea 11:1, originally referring to Israel's exodus from Egypt, is re-applied by Matthew to Jesus. This demonstrates Jesus' identification with Israel and His embodiment of Israel's history as God's true Son. It also underscores God's meticulous plan, where even the escape of the Holy Family fulfills His ancient promises.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And was there till the death of Herod; so that the word of the Lord through the prophet might come true, Out of Egypt have I sent for my son.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he was there till the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled that was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, `Out of Egypt I did call My Son.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he was there until the death of Herod, that that might be fulfilled which was spoken by [the] Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Context

This verse connects the flight to Egypt and their stay there to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It directly follows Joseph's obedient departure and explains the duration of their exile, tying the event to God's larger redemptive plan. This prophetic fulfillment sets the stage for Herod's violent reaction when he realizes he has been deceived by the Wise Men.

v.14And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt;

v.15This passage

v.16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 24:44

    And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.

  • Acts 12:1

    Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church.

  • John 19:28

    After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst.

  • John 19:36

    For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

  • Matthew 1:22

    Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,

  • Matthew 12:16

    and charged them that they should not make him known:

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 2

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 2.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 2:15.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary