Bible Strands
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,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joseph acts after returning from Egypt, learning that Archelaus now rules Judea in place of Herod. He faces a political threat that forces a detour before settling in Galilee.
The words — Ἀκούσας (Akousas) means "having heard," and βασιλεύει (basileuei) means "rules." These terms mark the moment Joseph processes political succession and receives a dream warning.
The thread — The withdrawal to Galilee aligns with Luke 2:39, which records the family’s return to their hometown after fulfilling the Law. John 7:52 later notes the regional dismissal of Galilee, underscoring Jesus’s unexpected geographic origin.
Why it lands — The text states that Joseph feared Judea and obeyed a dream warning to leave for Galilee. It asks the reader to follow divine direction even when it requires bypassing expected or politically safe routes.
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 he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
Cross-references
- Isaiah 48:17 Thus says the LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who directs you in the way you should go.
- Luke 2:39 When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
- John 7:52 “Aren’t you also from Galilee?” they replied. “Look into it, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.”
- Isaiah 30:21 And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
- Genesis 19:17 As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”
- 1 Samuel 16:2 “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
- Psalms 48:14 For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even till death.
- Psalms 73:24 You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.
- Psalms 107:6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.
- Psalms 121:8 The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.