Matthew 2:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Who, then, is more accurately described as the Son of God? Is it the one who worshipped the golden calf, served Baal of Peor, and offered his children as sacrifices to false gods, or is it rather the one who is the Son by nature, equal to the Father who begot Him?

For when the Lord ascends from heaven, He is referred to as the sun of righteousness, indicating that the prophet accurately foretold that He would arrive on a light cloud, symbolizing a pure body untainted by sin, within which He concealed the brilliance of His majesty under a physical veil. Hosea conveys a similar notion when he states, "In the dawn the king of Israel shall perish! When Israel was young I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son." Following Egypt's serious transgressions and the numerous afflictions God had inflicted upon it, the Almighty Father, in His grace, sent His Son into Egypt. This act was so that the one who had once redeemed it through Moses might embrace Christ and encounter the hope of salvation. The magnitude of God's mercy is manifest in the arrival of His Son! Egypt, which had previously been rebellious and defiant under Pharaoh, transformed into a sanctuary and refuge for Christ. Thus, the Lord's mercy was shown to both Egypt and the wise men who were privileged to recognize the Lord Christ. In the time of Moses, the wise men of Egypt had dared to oppose the Divine authority, yet now, having witnessed the miraculous celestial sign, they came to believe in God the Son. While the former group's disbelief led to their punishment, the faith of the latter group brought them to glory, as they embraced the divine power of God incarnate, whom they had initially failed to acknowledge.

While one may not always control encounters with such temptations, they certainly have the ability to avoid seeking them out and to distance themselves from them. A Christian who recognizes their vulnerability must be wary of even the slightest peril; things that may seem completely harmless to others could pose a threat to them. The Holy Spirit cautions us that those who court danger will meet with destruction (Sir. 3:25). Jesus Christ instructs us to remove whatever causes us to stumble, even if it means sacrificing something valuable, which teaches us to steer clear of situations that lead to sin (Matt. 5:29). Jesus, Mary, and Joseph remained in Egypt until directed by the Lord to leave, and while surrounded by the pagan practices of that land, they remained devoted to God. Often, we lament our own circumstances and positions, thinking that we cannot serve God effectively in them, which is a perilous misconception! The circumstances in which God has placed us provide the best opportunity for us to strive for holiness. His grace purifies us, and He knows how to adapt it to our diverse situations and responsibilities. It is not unusual for those who would have faltered in solitude to thrive in the world.

The New Testament authors, inspired by the divine, have often cited expressions from the Old Testament's Hebrew texts, rather than the Septuagint. For instance, the holy Evangelist Matthew (Matt. 2:15) references the prophet Hosea, stating, 'I have called My Son from Egypt,' according to the Hebrew source, which diverges from the Septuagint rendering (Hos. 11:1) that reads, ἐξ Αἰγύπτου μετεκάλεσα τὰ τέκνα αὐτοῦ, or 'out of Egypt I have called his children.' A comparison between the Evangelist's wording and that of the Septuagint might raise questions regarding the accuracy of the Evangelist’s account, which could leave one perplexed. However, when this is measured against the Hebrew scripture, the Evangelist’s testimony proves to be precise; any uncertainty dissipates, leading to the conclusion that the Greek translators did not faithfully convey the original Hebrew, as they sought to align it more closely with the Jewish experience of the time, a time before the full revelation of the mystery of Christ that we find in the New Testament.

This prophecy found its fulfillment when God instructed Joseph in Egypt through the Angel, commanding his return to Israel with the Child and His Mother; thus, God called His only begotten Son out of Egypt. It is important to recognize that just as the cloud that led the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt symbolized the Holy Spirit, and the parting of the Red Sea represented holy baptism, with the rock that accompanied them symbolizing Christ (1 Cor. 10:4), so too the departure of the Israelites from Egypt foreshadowed Jesus Christ's own exodus from Egypt and His return to Israel. This is why the Prophet Hosea, having anticipated such an event for Christ, spoke of it to those who would listen. The Evangelist Matthew, having elaborated on Hosea's insightful words, attributed them to the very realities they referenced, writing: "Out of Egypt I have called My Son." This encapsulates the meaning and significance of Hosea's prophetic message. Following this narrative, the Evangelist recounts the events that transpired when Joseph, along with the Child and His mother, entered Egypt.

They encountered tremendous hardships and challenges. The path was sandy at points and often concealed among dunes; food supplies were scarce in the wilderness, compelling them to carry all necessities with them on a single donkey, which was crucial for the young Mother and the Divine Child.

During the day, they faced excruciating heat, and at night, they had to guard against the cold, with nothing available for rest other than the sand beneath them and the sky above serving as their cover. It is said that in one desert location, they were ambushed by robbers who sought to steal their donkey. However, one robber was so moved by the beauty of the Divine Child that he prevented his companions from harming the holy travelers, proclaiming, "If God Himself assumed human form, He could not be more beautiful than this Child." The Mother of God assured this robber, "Rest assured that this Child will not forget your kindness; He will reward you with a blessed return for having protected His life." This was the same robber who was crucified alongside the Lord and was granted the promise, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). Thus, the word of the Mother of God came to fruition in him.

When the Blessed Virgin and the Infant approached, the idols within their temples collapsed, fulfilling the prophetic words: Behold, the Lord will ride on a swift cloud (in the arms of the Virgin Mother) and arrive in Egypt. The idols of Egypt trembled before Him, and the heart of Egypt melted within it (Isaiah 19:1). Close to Cairo, near Matarieh, a notable tree stump is shown, where the Mother of God rested while St. Joseph sought shelter for their family. Tradition holds that a spring of cool, pure water miraculously appeared nearby to quench the thirst of the Divine Traveler and Her marvelous Child. This spring is still preserved today, and thriving branches emerge from the sacred stump.

Instead of detailing the journey, Matthew highlights God's choice of Egypt—as the refuge for the Holy Family—as fulfilling the prophecy, saying: "THAT IT WILL COME TRUE," as proclaimed by the prophet Hosea: "FROM EGYPT I CALLED MY SON" (Hosea 11:1; Psalm 79:9; Numbers 24:8). St. John Chrysostom remarks that Babylon and Egypt represented the epicenter of wickedness. From Babylon, Christ received homage from the Magi, while He sanctified Egypt through His presence, demonstrating His mission to save even the gravest sinners who turn to Him with repentance. Egypt, geographically closer to Bethlehem than any other land, had many Jews, making it a more comfortable haven for Joseph and Mary. More importantly, Egypt symbolized the dire conditions of sin and death from which the Son of God came to rescue humanity, akin to Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.

Christ the Saviour is the leader of the new Israel, comprising all who believe in Him, thus fulfilling the prophetic declaration regarding the exodus of Israel from Egypt through Him, the only begotten Son of God. Who can more rightfully be termed the Son of God: the Jewish people, who frequently strayed from God, worshipped idols, and sacrificed their offspring to demons, or He who is the naturally begotten Son of God, honoring the Father of His birth? Therefore, St. Chrysostom rightly notes that if Christ had not entered Egypt, the prophecy would not have been realized in its fullness, as Israel's return from Egypt was merely a foreshadowing of the return of Christ, the Son of God, from the same land.

Should anyone inquire whether the Divine Child could not have remained hidden in Bethlehem miraculously, avoiding such a perilous journey, St. John Chrysostom replies: "Then it would cast doubt that He took our flesh." There were heretics who claimed the Lord possessed merely an appearance of flesh rather than actual flesh. Christ the Saviour desired to exemplify how to confront danger: He had miraculous means at His disposal to evade Herod. Even now, if He had so wished, He could summon more than twelve legions of angels to His aid (Matthew 26:53); yet instead of angels, He relied on the assistance of the elder Joseph and His Mother. He fled to Egypt as a man, thereby ensuring His safety. Likewise, do not await miracles unnecessarily for your deliverance from danger; utilize the resources available to you. Avoid peril when possible without neglecting your duties, but do not be troubled or disheartened: tribulation is a common affliction for the righteous (Psalm 33:20).

Now, let us return to the account provided by the Evangelist. When the wise men traveled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, Herod felt momentarily reassured. He awaited their return, believing it would be simple to eliminate the newborn King, having learned the location from the wise men. However, his expectations would prove deceptive.

This appears to contradict the promise." Nevertheless, Joseph expressed none of these thoughts, demonstrating his faithfulness; he showed no curiosity concerning when they would return. Regarding the direct inquiry of why Christ did not shield Himself from Herod's assassins, Chrysostom offers this insight: “Because if the Lord had begun to perform miracles from His early years, He would not have been acknowledged as a true Man.” The words of the prophet Hosea, “Out of Egypt have I called My Son” (Hosea 11:1), originally reference the Israelites' exodus from Egypt under Moses, with the title 'Son of God' encompassing the whole nation of Israel, making their application to Christ rather tenuous.