The Meaning of Matthew 2:15 Explained

Matthew 2:15

KJV: And 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.

YLT: and he was there till the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled that was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 'Out of Egypt I did call My Son.'

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

ASV: 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 did I call my son.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  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. 

What does Matthew 2:15 Mean?

Study Notes

Out of Egypt
The words quoted are in Hosea 11:1 and the passage illustrates the truth that prophetic utterances often have a latent and deeper meaning than at first appears. Israel, nationally, was a " Song of Solomon 1:1 " Exodus 4:22 but Christ was the greater " Song of Solomon 1:1 "; Romans 9:4 ; Romans 9:5 ; Isaiah 41:8 ; Isaiah 42:1-4 ; Isaiah 52:13 ; Isaiah 52:14 where the servant-nation and the Servant-Son are both in view.

Context Summary

Matthew 2:9-15 - God Rules And Overrules
The suggestion has been hazarded that "the star" was an unusual combination of three planets; but this would conflict with the disappearance and reappearance of the guiding light. Some experiences during the Welsh Revival seem to point to a connection between high spiritual experiences and a burning glory. Probably only the eyes of the Magi beheld this great light. See Acts 9:3; Acts 26:12-14.
When we follow God's guidance, we may be sure that He will not fail to bring us to our goal. He who brings us out will also bring us in. He will perfect that which concerneth us. These Wise-Men prostrating themselves before the newborn babe were the first of a great procession of the kings of intellect who have followed them to the same spot. After all, does not all true science bend before the mystery of life? We cannot fathom the mystery, but we can adore. We can also present our gifts. "Jesus is worthy to receive riches." It was thus that the Father provided beforehand for the expenses attendant on the approaching visit to Egypt. The Herods of this world are always plotting against the Lord's Christ, but it is in vain. See Psalms 2:1-12; Acts 4:25. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 2

1  The wise men from the east enquire after Jesus;
3  at which Herod is alarmed
9  They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents
13  Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother
16  Herod slays the children;
20  himself dies
23  Jesus is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth

Greek Commentary for Matthew 2:15

Until the death of Herod [εως της τελευτης ηρωιδου]
The Magi had been warned in a dream not to report to Herod and now Joseph was warned in a dream to take Mary and the child along In Egypt Joseph was to keep Mary and Jesus till the death of Herod the monster. Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 to show that this was in fulfilment of God‘s purpose to call his Son out of Egypt. He may have quoted again from a collection of testimonia rather than from the Septuagint. There is a Jewish tradition in the Talmud that Jesus “brought with him magic arts out of Egypt in an incision on his body” (Shabb. 104b). “This attempt to ascribe the Lord‘s miracles to Satanic agency seems to be independent of Matthew, and may have been known to him, so that one object of his account may have been to combat it” (McNeile). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 2:15

Matthew 21:3 The Lord [ὁ κύριος]
From κῦρος , supreme power, authority. Hence κύριος , one having authority, lord, owner, ruler. In classical Greek, used of the gods, and in inscriptions applied to different gods, as Hermes, Zeus, etc.; also of the head of the family, who is lord ( κύριος ) of the wife and children (1 Timothy 6:1, 1 Timothy 6:2; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18), and κύριος (Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1). In the Septuagint it is used by Sarah of her husband (Genesis 3:6). Joseph is called lord of the country (Genesis 18:27; Exodus 4:10). In the New Testament it is a name for God (Matthew 1:20, Matthew 1:22, Matthew 1:24; Matthew 2:15; Acts 11:16; Acts 12:11, Acts 12:17; Revelation 1:8). As applied to Christ, it does not express his divine nature and power. These are indicated by some accompanying word or phrase, as my God (John 20:28); of all (Acts 10:36); to the glory of God the Father (Philemon 2:11); of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8); so that, as a title of Christ, Lord is used in the sense of Master or Ruler, or in address, Sir (Matthew 22:43, Matthew 22:45; Luke 2:11; Luke 6:46; John 13:13, John 13:14; 1 Corinthians 8:6). Ὁ κύριος , the Lord, is used of Christ by Matthew only once (Matthew 21:3) until after the resurrection (Matthew 28:6). In the other gospels and in the Acts it occurs far oftener. Nevertheless, in the progress of Christian thought in the New Testament, the meaning develops toward a specific designation of the divine Saviour, as may be seen in the phrases Jesus, Christ our Lord, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Jesus our Lord. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Matthew 1:22 “All this has happened” [τουτο δε ολον γεγονεν]
The Hebrew word for young woman is translated by virgin See note on Matthew 2:15, Matthew 2:23; Matthew 4:14-17; Matthew 8:17; Matthew 12:17-21; Matthew 13:35; Matthew 21:4.; John 12:38.; John 13:18; John 19:24, John 19:28, John 19:36. [source]
Romans 4:17 Calleth [καλοῦντος]
The verb is used in the following senses: 1. To give a name, with ὄνομα name Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:22, Matthew 1:25; Luke 1:13, Luke 1:31; without ὄνομα Luke 1:59, Luke 1:60. To salute by a name, Matthew 23:9; Matthew 22:43, Matthew 22:45. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
2. Passive. To bear a name or title among men, Luke 1:35; Luke 22:25; 1 Corinthians 15:9. To be acknowledged or to pass as, Matthew 5:9, Matthew 5:19; James 2:23. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
3. To invite, Matthew 22:3, Matthew 22:9; John 2:2; 1 Corinthians 10:27. To summon, Matthew 4:21; Acts 4:18; Acts 24:2. To call out from, Matthew 2:15; Hebrews 11:8; 1 Peter 2:9. -DIVIDER-
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4. To appoint. Select for an office, Galatians 1:15; Hebrews 5:4; to salvation, Romans 9:11; Romans 8:30. -DIVIDER-
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5. Of God's creative decree. To call forth from nothing, Isaiah 41:4; 2 Kings 8:1. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In this last sense some explain the word here; but it can scarcely be said that God creates things that are not as actually existing. Others explain, God's disposing decree. He disposes of things that are not as though existing. The simplest explanation appears to be to give καλεῖν the sense of nameth, speaketh of. Compare Romans 9:7; Acts 7:5. The seed of Abraham “which were at present in the category of things which were not, and the nations which should spring physically or spiritually from him, God spoke of as having an existence, which word Abraham believed” (Alford). In this case there may properly be added the idea of the summons to the high destiny ordained for Abraham's seed. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 2:15 mean?

and he remained there until the death of Herod so that it might be fulfilled that having been spoken by [the] Lord through the prophet saying Out of Egypt have I called the Son of me
καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς Ἡρῴδου ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος Ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐκάλεσα τὸν υἱόν μου

ἦν  he  remained 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἕως  until 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἕως  
Sense: till, until.
τελευτῆς  death 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: τελευτή  
Sense: the end of life, decease, death.
Ἡρῴδου  of  Herod 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Ἡρῴδης  
Sense: the name of a royal family that flourished among the Jews in the times of Christ and the Apostles.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
πληρωθῇ  it  might  be  fulfilled 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: πληρόω  
Sense: to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full.
τὸ  that 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ῥηθὲν  having  been  spoken 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to utter, speak, say.
κυρίου  [the]  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
διὰ  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
προφήτου  prophet 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: προφήτης  
Sense: in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things.
λέγοντος  saying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
Ἐξ  Out 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
Αἰγύπτου  of  Egypt 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: Αἴγυπτος  
Sense: a country occupying the northeast angle of Africa.
ἐκάλεσα  have  I  called 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: καλέω  
Sense: to call.
υἱόν  Son 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: υἱός  
Sense: a son.
μου  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.