Daily Devotionals

Matthew 2:13–18｜God Protects His Son, and Prophecy Is Fulfilled

Kermit Wu

— 2 min read

I. Passage Overview

Matthew 2:13–18 (ESV)

*“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted,
because they are no more.’”*

This passage shows God’s protection of His Son, Herod’s violent rage, and the fulfillment of prophetic Scripture.

II. Background and Exegesis

1. How did the angel of the Lord guide Joseph to escape Herod’s plan? What do we learn?

  • The angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, giving clear instructions to rise, take the child and His mother, and flee to Egypt.
  • Joseph’s immediate obedience:
    • He left by night, showing urgency and trust.
    • He cared more about God’s direction than convenience or personal safety.
Insight: God faithfully guides those who carry His purposes. Like Joseph, when we respond quickly and humbly, God’s protection accompanies His calling.

2. How did Herod react when he felt deceived? Why was it so violent?

  • Herod’s fury:
    • When he realized the Wise Men did not report back, he ordered the massacre of Bethlehem’s male children two years old and under.
  • Why so extreme?
    • Herod’s paranoia about rivals was notorious; history records he even killed his own family members to secure power.
    • The birth of the true King of the Jews exposed his fear of losing control.
Insight: Human pride and insecurity can lead to shocking evil. Rejecting Christ is not neutral — it often hardens the heart.

3. What does “fulfilled what the prophet said” show us?

  • “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1):
    • Originally referred to Israel’s exodus, but Matthew applies it to Jesus — showing that Jesus is the true Israel, God’s Son who embodies His people’s destiny.
  • “Rachel weeping for her children” (Jeremiah 31:15):
    • Originally mourning Israel’s exile, now echoed in Bethlehem’s tragedy.
    • Yet Jeremiah 31 later promises hope and restoration — pointing to Christ as the ultimate comfort.
Insight: God’s sovereign plan weaves even tragedy into His redemptive purposes. Prophecy is not random prediction but the unfolding of God’s story, fulfilled perfectly in Christ.

III. Summary

  • God actively protected Jesus through angelic guidance and Joseph’s prompt obedience.
  • Herod’s rage shows how power and pride can drive people to oppose God’s King.
  • The repeated fulfillment of prophecy confirms that Jesus is the promised Messiah and that God’s plan cannot be stopped.
Key challenge: Do we respond like Joseph — quick to obey God’s word — or like Herod — clinging to control and resisting Christ?
Can we trust that even painful events are within God’s sovereign design?

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