The Visit of the Magi and the Flight to Egypt
Magi from the east arrive in Jerusalem asking where the king of the Jews has been born, and Herod is disturbed — and all Jerusalem with him, which tells you something about Herod. His scholars point to Micah's prophecy and the village of Bethlehem, and he sends the visitors on with a request to report back.
Matthew never numbers them; the traditional three comes from the three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Warned in a dream, they return home by another road.
Joseph is warned in a dream too, and takes the child and his mother to Egypt by night. Herod, realising he has been outwitted, orders the killing of the boys of Bethlehem aged two and under — an act entirely in keeping with a king who executed his own sons. The family returns only after his death, and settles in Nazareth.
Where in scripture
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.
Micah 5:2
[1] Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, [2] “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” [3] When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. [5] They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, [6] ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’” [7] Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. …
Matthew 2:1–12 — opening verses
[13] Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” [14] He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, [15] and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” …
Matthew 2:13–23 — opening verses
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
