Matthew 2:15 - 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.” Hosea 11:1
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What does "Matthew 2:15" mean?
This verse from Matthew 2:15 is a crucial one for understanding how Matthew interprets the Old Testament. Let's break it down:
"and was there until the death of Herod": This refers to Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus being in Egypt. They fled to Egypt to escape Herod the Great's order to kill all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem (the "slaughter of the innocents"). They stayed in Egypt until Herod died.
"that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 'Out of Egypt I called my son.'": This is the key interpretive point. Matthew states that the return of Jesus from Egypt fulfilled a prophecy from Hosea 11:1.
Hosea 11:1: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son."
What's the Meaning?
The meaning is complex and debated, centered on how Matthew interprets Hosea 11:1:
Literal Interpretation (Context of Hosea): In its original context, Hosea 11:1 refers to God calling the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt during the Exodus. It's a historical statement about God's love and redemption of the Israelites. The "son" in Hosea is the collective "Israel," not an individual.
Matthew's Interpretation (Typological/Figurative): Matthew sees a deeper, symbolic fulfillment in Jesus. He's employing what's called typology. Typology sees Old Testament events, people, and institutions as prefiguring or foreshadowing New Testament realities, specifically Christ. Matthew is saying that Jesus is the ultimate and true "Son" of God, and his return from Egypt is a fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in a new and profound way. Matthew is drawing a parallel: just as God delivered Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He delivered his Son, Jesus, from danger in Egypt.
Key Concepts:
Fulfillment: Matthew uses the phrase "that it might be fulfilled" repeatedly to show that Jesus is the culmination of Old Testament prophecies and promises.
Typology: Matthew's use of Hosea is a classic example of typology. He's not necessarily saying Hosea intended to predict Jesus, but rather that the historical event of the Exodus foreshadowed the later event of Jesus' life.
Jesus as the New Israel: Some scholars suggest that Matthew presents Jesus as embodying the true and faithful Israel, fulfilling the calling and destiny of the nation.
Why is this important?
Affirming Jesus' Identity: By connecting Jesus' life to the Old Testament, Matthew argues that Jesus is the Messiah promised to Israel.
Redemptive History: It highlights the overarching narrative of God's plan of salvation, stretching from the Old Testament to the New.
Authoritative Scripture: It shows how early Christians read and interpreted the Old Testament in light of Jesus Christ.
In Summary:
Matthew 2:15 isn't a literal prediction fulfillment in the sense of Hosea's original intent. Instead, Matthew uses a typological interpretation of Hosea 11:1 to demonstrate that Jesus is the true "Son" of God, whose life echoes and fulfills the redemptive narrative of the Exodus, confirming his identity as the promised Messiah. He uses the verse to illustrate that God is working consistently through history to redeem his people, and that Jesus is the pinnacle of that redemptive work.
Matthew 2:15 - 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.” Hosea 11:1
What does "Matthew 2:15" mean?
This verse from Matthew 2:15 is a crucial one for understanding how Matthew interprets the Old Testament. Let's break it down:
"and was there until the death of Herod": This refers to Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus being in Egypt. They fled to Egypt to escape Herod the Great's order to kill all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem (the "slaughter of the innocents"). They stayed in Egypt until Herod died.
"that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 'Out of Egypt I called my son.'": This is the key interpretive point. Matthew states that the return of Jesus from Egypt fulfilled a prophecy from Hosea 11:1.
Hosea 11:1: "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son."
What's the Meaning?
The meaning is complex and debated, centered on how Matthew interprets Hosea 11:1:
Literal Interpretation (Context of Hosea): In its original context, Hosea 11:1 refers to God calling the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt during the Exodus. It's a historical statement about God's love and redemption of the Israelites. The "son" in Hosea is the collective "Israel," not an individual.
Matthew's Interpretation (Typological/Figurative): Matthew sees a deeper, symbolic fulfillment in Jesus. He's employing what's called typology. Typology sees Old Testament events, people, and institutions as prefiguring or foreshadowing New Testament realities, specifically Christ. Matthew is saying that Jesus is the ultimate and true "Son" of God, and his return from Egypt is a fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in a new and profound way. Matthew is drawing a parallel: just as God delivered Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He delivered his Son, Jesus, from danger in Egypt.
Key Concepts:
Fulfillment: Matthew uses the phrase "that it might be fulfilled" repeatedly to show that Jesus is the culmination of Old Testament prophecies and promises.
Typology: Matthew's use of Hosea is a classic example of typology. He's not necessarily saying Hosea intended to predict Jesus, but rather that the historical event of the Exodus foreshadowed the later event of Jesus' life.
Jesus as the New Israel: Some scholars suggest that Matthew presents Jesus as embodying the true and faithful Israel, fulfilling the calling and destiny of the nation.
Why is this important?
Affirming Jesus' Identity: By connecting Jesus' life to the Old Testament, Matthew argues that Jesus is the Messiah promised to Israel.
Redemptive History: It highlights the overarching narrative of God's plan of salvation, stretching from the Old Testament to the New.
Authoritative Scripture: It shows how early Christians read and interpreted the Old Testament in light of Jesus Christ.
In Summary:
Matthew 2:15 isn't a literal prediction fulfillment in the sense of Hosea's original intent. Instead, Matthew uses a typological interpretation of Hosea 11:1 to demonstrate that Jesus is the true "Son" of God, whose life echoes and fulfills the redemptive narrative of the Exodus, confirming his identity as the promised Messiah. He uses the verse to illustrate that God is working consistently through history to redeem his people, and that Jesus is the pinnacle of that redemptive work.