Matthew 2:13

Irish 1981 - (An Bíobla Naofa 1981)

Marú na Neamhchiontach

What Does This Mean?

An angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt to escape from Herod, who intends to harm the child. The message is about divine protection and obedience.

Explained for Children

Imagine if your friend told you that a mean person wants to hurt you, so you need to go hide somewhere safe until it's okay to come back. That's what Joseph did when an angel in his dream told him to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt to keep them safe from Herod.

Historical Background

Matthew was written by one of Jesus' disciples around 80-90 AD, aimed at a Jewish audience. The story reflects the cultural context of the time where dreams were seen as divine messages and Egypt represented a place of refuge against political threats.

Living It Out Today

Today, if we are faced with danger or difficult situations, just like Joseph who obeyed the angel's message to protect Jesus, we can seek guidance from God and take steps that ensure our safety and well-being.

Topics

• protection
• obedience
• divine guidance
• refuge
• threats
• God's plan

Related Verses

• Genesis 12:10
• Exodus 1:8-13
• Matthew 2:19
• Acts 7:19-22
• Hebrews 11:23

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Joseph and Mary have to go to Egypt?

According to this verse, they had to go to Egypt because an angel warned Joseph that Herod was planning to harm the young child Jesus. Egypt was seen as a place of refuge.

What does it mean when God speaks in dreams?

In biblical times, dreams were often considered ways through which divine messages could be communicated. In this case, Joseph received clear instructions on how to protect his family from danger.

How do we know the story is true?

The reliability of Matthew's account comes from its inclusion in canonical scripture and historical context. The details provided are consistent with the cultural and political climate of that time.

What can we learn about obedience from this verse?

This story teaches us to listen carefully to divine guidance, even if it involves difficult actions like leaving home for safety reasons, as Joseph did in obeying God's instruction to go to Egypt.