Joseph, Mary, and Jesus Escape to Egypt
The early life of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, includes a significant episode often referred to as the “flight to Egypt.” This event, though brief in narrative length, carries deep theological and prophetic significance. It demonstrates divine protection, fulfills Old Testament prophecy, and reveals the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan through the preservation of the Messiah in the face of mortal danger. This article will explore the biblical account of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus escaping to Egypt, the reasons for their flight, the scriptural basis for this journey, and the circumstances surrounding their return to Nazareth.
The Flight to Egypt
The Gospel of Matthew provides the most detailed account of the flight to Egypt. After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1), wise men (magi) from the East came to Jerusalem seeking the one “who has been born king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). Their inquiry troubled King Herod, who saw the birth of a rival king as a threat to his rule. Herod deceitfully asked the magi to report back to him once they found the child, claiming he too wished to worship him (Matthew 2:8). However, after the magi found Jesus and offered their gifts, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod and departed by another route (Matthew 2:12).
It is at this point that the divine intervention to protect Jesus becomes evident. Matthew records: “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod.” (Matthew 2:13-15a)
This passage directly answers the question, “Where in the Bible does it say Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt?” The command to flee is given by an angel in a dream, and Joseph, obedient as he was in earlier events (see, Matthew 1:24), immediately acts to protect the child entrusted to his care.
Why did Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt?
The reason for the flight is explicitly stated in the angel’s warning: “Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him” (Matthew 2:13). King Herod’s paranoia and cruelty are well-documented in both biblical and historical sources. In an attempt to eliminate any threat to his throne, Herod ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under (Matthew 2:16). This horrific act, known as the “Massacre of the Innocents,” fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:18, quoting Jeremiah 31:15)
Thus, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt not only to preserve the life of Jesus but also to fulfill the divine plan that had been foretold through the prophets.
The Theological Significance of Egypt
Egypt holds a complex place in biblical history. It was both a place of refuge and a place of bondage. In the Old Testament, Egypt served as a temporary refuge for Abraham (Genesis 12:10), for Jacob and his sons during the famine (Genesis 46:1-7), and most notably for Joseph, who rose to power there and preserved many lives (Genesis 41:57).
In the New Testament, Egypt again becomes a place of refuge–this time for the Messiah himself. Matthew 2:15 adds a crucial theological layer to the narrative: “This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” (Matthew 2:15)
This quotation is from Hosea 11:1, which originally referred to Israel’s exodus from Egypt: “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” (Hosea 11:1)
Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, applies this verse typologically to Jesus. Just as Israel, God’s “son,” was called out of Egypt in the Old Testament, so now Jesus, the true and faithful Son, retraces Israel’s steps and fulfills what Israel could not. This answers the question, “Where in the Bible does it say that Jesus will come out of Egypt?” The answer is found in Matthew 2:15, referencing Hosea 11:1.
The Return to Nazareth
After King Herod’s death, another angelic message comes to Joseph: “But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.” (Matthew 2:19-21)
However, upon learning that Archelaus, Herod’s son, was reigning in Judea, Joseph was afraid to return there. Being warned again in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee and settled in the town of Nazareth: “And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:23)
This return to Nazareth is also mentioned in Luke’s Gospel: “And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.” (Luke 2:39)
Though Luke does not mention the flight to Egypt, his account is not contradictory but complementary. Luke focuses on the presentation of Jesus at the temple and the family’s return to Nazareth, while Matthew emphasizes the threat from Herod and the divine protection through the journey to Egypt. Together, these accounts provide a fuller picture of Jesus’ early life.
Prophetic Fulfillment and Divine Sovereignty
The flight to Egypt and the return to Nazareth are not merely historical events; they are deeply embedded in the fabric of biblical prophecy and divine sovereignty. Each movement of the holy family fulfills Scripture and demonstrates God’s providential care over the Messiah.
The fulfillment of Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15 shows that Jesus is the true Israel, the obedient Son who will succeed where the nation failed. The massacre of the innocents fulfills Jeremiah 31:15, reminding readers of the sorrow of exile and the hope of restoration. The settlement in Nazareth fulfills what was spoken by the prophets, though no single Old Testament verse says, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” This likely refers to a general prophetic theme of the Messiah being despised and lowly, as Nazareth was a town of little reputation (compare, Isaiah 53:3; John 1:46).
Conclusion
The story of the flight to Egypt, found in Matthew 2:13-23, is a powerful testimony to God’s protection, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the unfolding of his redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt in obedience to divine warning, preserving the life of the Savior from Herod’s murderous intent. Their journey echoes the history of Israel and fulfills the prophetic word, “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15). Their eventual return to Nazareth, guided again by divine revelation, sets the stage for Jesus’ upbringing in Galilee, where he would grow “in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
This narrative reminds us that God is sovereign over history, faithful to his promises, and actively working to bring salvation to the world through his Son. The flight to Egypt is not just a story of escape–it is a story of divine orchestration, prophetic fulfillment, and the preservation of hope for all humanity.