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Sermon Notes on Matthew 2 13-15, 19-23
by Dr. Harold Buls
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
1. The text dwells on the flight to and return from Egypt. Therefore, verses
16-18 have been omitted.
2. Three times we are told that the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a
dream (1:20; 2:13; 2:19). In all three cases these words are introduced by
"Behold." This is like saying: "Note this." It calls our attention to an
important item. It demanded faith in God's Word to be as obedient as was Joseph
in each case. He did not argue. He acted.
3. King Herod was a very cruel man. He ordered the death of all babies two years
and younger around Bethlehem. God rescued the baby Jesus from cruel Herod. After
Herod died, Archelaus his son became ruler over Judea. He was as cruel, if not
crueler, than his father Herod. God rescued the baby Jesus from cruel Archelaus.
Already when Jesus was a baby, Satan and his allies were pursuing Jesus. But God
delivered His Son from all His enemies.
4. Some Bible scholars think that Matthew 2:15 is a second fulfillment of Hosea
11:1. They think that Hosea 11:1 refers first to Israel coming out of Egypt and
only secondly to Jesus Christ. We think that Matthew 2:15 is a direct
fulfillment of Hosea 11:1 and does not refer to Israel in the Old Testament.
5. Verse 23 says that the prophets foretold that Jesus would be called a
Nazarene. It says "prophets" not "prophet." Therefore Matthew must be referring
to more than one prophecy. But there is no passage in the Old Testament which
says: "He will be called a Nazarene." How do we solve this? The Hebrew word for
"branch" is "nazar." Perhaps from this word the word "Nazarene" was derived.
Jesus was later known as "the Nazarene" sometimes in derision, sometimes by way
of complement. Cf. Matthew 26:71; John 18:5-7; 19:19; Acts 2:22; 3:6; 4:10;
6:14; 22:8; 24:5; 26:9. And even Pilate used this name to identify Jesus in the
superscription on the cross. Very likely it means that Jesus would be of lowly
birth and from a small despised town. The Old Testament often depicts the Savior
as a despised man. Psalm 22:6; Isaiah 49:7; 53:3.
6. When Jesus was a baby He became a fugitive. Because of the sins of people He
had to flee several times. Like Jesus, His children are pilgrims and strangers
in this world. Hebrews 11:13.
7. The Psalms are full of prayers for the Lord's guidance:
8. The word "dream" appears four times in Matthew 1 and 2. At Matthew 1:20 Joseph is
told not to fear but should take Mary his wife. At Matthew 2:13 he is told to take Mary
and Jesus to Egypt. At Matthew 2:19 he is told to return to Israel. At Matthew 2:22, when Joseph
feared, he was told to go to Galilee. The prayers for guidance in the Psalms are
the prayers of David, of the Messiah (see Luke 24:27), and of every Christian.
The Lord leads His children when they are afraid and even when they do not see
danger ahead.
9. God used dreams to warn Joseph and the wise men (2:12). Note that the dreams
are based on the Word of God (Matthew 1:23; Matthew 2:15 and Matthew 2:23). Joseph and the wisemen did
not have the Bible as we have it today. Now we are directed to the message of
His Son in the Scriptures (Hebrews 1:1- 2). He Himself said: "Search the
Scriptures." John 5:39. God has not promised to appear to us in dreams. He may
choose to do so but He has not promised that He will.
See Also:
Sermons and Commentaries for the Second Sunday After Christmas
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