King James Version

What Does Matthew 2:22 Mean?

Matthew 2:22 in the King James Version says “But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwi... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

But 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:

Matthew 2:22 · KJV


Context

20

Saying, 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.

21

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

22

But 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:

23

And 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joseph's fear of Archelaus demonstrates godly prudence that combines faith with wisdom. God's subsequent dream warning shows that trusting God doesn't mean ignoring legitimate dangers or abandoning discernment. The divine redirection to Galilee placed Jesus in the region where He would conduct most of His ministry, showing how God's providence works through human decisions informed by both reason and revelation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archelaus inherited Judea, Samaria, and Idumea when Herod died. He was so brutal that Rome deposed him in AD 6. His cruelty made Galilee, ruled by his brother Herod Antipas, a safer choice despite Antipas later executing John the Baptist.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage demonstrate that faith and prudence work together rather than oppose each other?
  2. What role does godly wisdom play in making decisions while trusting God's sovereign providence?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἀκούσας1 of 26

when he heard

G191

to hear (in various senses)

δὲ2 of 26

But

G1161

but, and, etc

ὅτι3 of 26

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἀρχέλαος4 of 26

Archelaus

G745

people-ruling; archelaus, a jewish king

βασιλεύει5 of 26

did reign

G936

to rule (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ6 of 26

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῆς7 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίας8 of 26

Judaea

G2449

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

ἀντὶ9 of 26

in the room

G473

opposite, i.e., instead or because of (rarely in addition to)

Ἡρῴδου10 of 26

Herod

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

τοῦ11 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατρὸς12 of 26

father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

αὐτοῦ13 of 26

of his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐφοβήθη14 of 26

he was afraid

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

ἐκεῖ15 of 26

thither

G1563

there; by extension, thither

ἀπελθεῖν·16 of 26

to go

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

χρηματισθεὶς17 of 26

being warned of God

G5537

to utter an oracle (compare the original sense of g5530), i.e., divinely intimate; by implication, (compare the secular sense of g5532) to constitute

δὲ18 of 26

But

G1161

but, and, etc

κατ'19 of 26

in

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ὄναρ20 of 26

a dream

G3677

a dream

ἀνεχώρησεν21 of 26

he turned aside

G402

to retire

εἰς22 of 26

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὰ23 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέρη24 of 26

the parts

G3313

a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)

τῆς25 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Γαλιλαίας26 of 26

of Galilee

G1056

galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 2:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 2:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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