Matthew 2:19-22
Context2:19 After Herod 1 had died, an 2 angel of the Lord 3 appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 2:20 saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 2:21 So 4 he got up and took the child and his mother and returned to the land of Israel. 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus 5 was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, 6 he was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he went to the regions of Galilee.
1 sn See the note on King Herod in 2:1. When Herod the Great died in 4
2 tn Grk “behold, an angel.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
3 tn Or “the angel of the Lord.” See the note on the word “Lord” in 1:20.
4 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s instructions.
5 sn Archelaus took after his father Herod the Great in terms of cruelty and ruthlessness, so Joseph was afraid to go there. After further direction in a dream, he went instead to Galilee.