Birth of Jesus

Escape to Egypt

An angel warns Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus because Herod wants to kill the child.

Matthew 2:13-23

God's protectionObedienceProphecy fulfilled

The Story

When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.'

So Joseph got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem two years old and under.

After Herod died, an angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 'Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead.'

So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to Galilee, and lived in a town called Nazareth.

The Escape to Egypt

Kids Version

After the wise men left, Joseph had another dream. An angel appeared with an urgent message!

'Joseph! Get up RIGHT NOW! Take Mary and Jesus and RUN to Egypt! King Herod wants to hurt the child!'

Joseph didn't wait until morning. He woke Mary up in the middle of the night. They grabbed baby Jesus and RAN!

They traveled all the way to Egypt—a different country, far from Herod.

Meanwhile, King Herod did a terrible thing. He was so evil! But Jesus was safe in Egypt.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus stayed in Egypt for a while. Then Joseph had another dream—the angel said it was safe to go home!

They went back to Israel and settled in Nazareth. That's where Jesus would grow up.

God protected Jesus every step of the way. He had important plans for Jesus—plans to save the whole world!

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Scripture — Matthew 2:13-23 (KJV)

13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

21And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea 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:

23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Memory Verse

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Matthew 2:13 (KJV)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story of “Escape to Egypt” in the Bible?

An angel warns Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus because Herod wants to kill the child. This story is found in Matthew 2:13-23.

Where is “Escape to Egypt” found in the Bible?

Escape to Egypt” is found in Matthew 2:13-23, in the book of Matthew.

What can children learn from “Escape to Egypt”?

This story teaches children about God's protection, Obedience, Prophecy fulfilled. Mean King Herod wanted to hurt baby Jesus! But God sent an angel to warn Joseph, and they escaped to Egypt!

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