With echoes of Moses’ journey and the Exodus, Jesus’ earthly parents flee from the wrath of Herod the Great to Egypt, returning only after an angelic visitation tells them it is safe. They return not to Bethlehem but to Nazareth.
Matthew 2:13-23
SERMON OUTLINE
“So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” (Matthew 2:14-15)
Seeking Refuge in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-18)
- Another dream for Joseph
- Jesus flees south to Egypt
- Scripture fulfilled: Hosea 11:1
- Scripture fulfilled: Jeremiah 31:15
Returning Home (Matthew 2:19-21)
- Another dream for Joseph
- Jesus returns to the Land of Promise
Seeking Refuge in Galilee (Matthew 2:22-23)
- Another dream for Joseph
- Jesus flees north to Galilee, specifically, Nazareth
- Scripture fulfilled: Isaiah 11:1/Judges 16:17
Jesus the Refugee Messiah
- Jesus the new King (Bethlehem – Son of David)
- Jesus the new Exodus (Egypt – Moses)
- Jesus the new return (Ramah – Exile)
- Jesus the unexpected, expected One (Isaiah 53:2)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When have you seen difficult circumstances lead to something good in your life?
- This week we continue our series, “Power in Preparation,” which explores the early years and ministry preparation of Jesus. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His Word, and then read Matthew 2:13-23 before continuing with the questions below.
- What happens to Joseph, Mary, and Jesus in verses 13-15. Why might it have been both natural and strange for Joseph to take his family to Egypt?
- Given what we already know about King Herod (see 2:1-12), do you find verses 16-18 shocking or not?
- Matthew references two parts of Scripture in these first few verses: Hosea 11:1 and Jeremiah 31:15. When taken with his quotation from Micah 5:2-4 in Matthew 2:6, we see three geographical locations that are significant to the Messiah: Bethlehem, Egypt, and now Ramah, which represents the exile. Why do you think these three geographical locations are important for the role and responsibilities of the Messiah?
- In verses 19-23, Joseph takes his family back to Judah and then far north into the Galilee region because of both political unrest and divine intervention. Nazareth was not a well-known town and had no clear Messianic expectations. Why do you think it would be important for Matthew to explain to his readers why Jesus lived in Nazareth?
- Jesus is a Messiah from an unexpected and perhaps unimportant place. He is, in a sense, a “nobody.” Have you ever felt like a nobody? How has God met you in this?
- Throughout this passage there are echoes between the life of Moses and the life of Jesus. Which of them did you notice? Why do you think this parallel between Jesus and Moses is significant?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study of Jesus’ journey to Egypt and back in Matthew 2? If you’re on your own, write that down and pray over that this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Set aside some time this week to read Matthew 2:13-23 again. Then write, draw, paint, or pray aloud your own response to this series of events in Jesus’ life.
- Read Matthew 2 in light of Moses’ life by comparing it to Exodus 1-4.
- Look at a map of Jesus’ journey with his family to Egypt and back again here.
- Consider watching the BibleProject video, “Messiah,” here.