Bible Strands
Matthew 2:19
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative reports a divine messenger appearing in a dream to Joseph in Egypt immediately following the death of King Herod. This event occurs between the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem and the command for Joseph to return to Israel.
The words — The Greek participle Τελευτήσαντος (Teleutēsantos) literally means "when [he] was dying" or "having died," marking the precise temporal trigger for the angel's appearance. The verb φαίνεται (phainetai) translates as "appears," describing the angel's manifestation to Joseph.
The thread — This dream appearance mirrors the earlier angelic visitation to Joseph in Matthew 1:20, establishing a pattern of divine guidance through nocturnal visions. The narrative also echoes the theme of divine sovereignty over human wrath found in Psalms 76:10 and the political deception referenced in Daniel 8:25.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that divine protection terminates only when the appointed threat is removed. It demands a response of immediate obedience from Joseph as the angel issues a direct command to relocate.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Cross-references
- Matthew 1:20 But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
- Daniel 8:25 Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands.
- Psalms 76:10 Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
- Psalms 139:7 Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?
- Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?
- Jeremiah 30:10 As for you, O Jacob My servant, do not be afraid, declares the LORD, and do not be dismayed, O Israel. For I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their captivity! Jacob will return to quiet and ease, with no one to make him afraid.
- Ezekiel 11:16 Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’
- Daniel 11:45 He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.
- Matthew 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.
- Matthew 2:22 But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,