13-15. Jesus Grows Up

LINK: Matthew 2:13-23; Luke 2:41-52

BACKGROUND

13. Escape to Egypt: Matthew 2:13-18

The wise men were warned by God not to return to tell Herod they had found the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:12), and an angel told Joseph to take the Child and flee to Egypt. The Greek word for "child" here indicates he was not an infant at this time because this is a different word from the word used in the birth account. We know that he was under two from 2:16. 

The en:Massacre of the Innocents by en:Giotto. 1304-1306.

 en:Fresco. en:Capella degli Scrovegni, en:Padua, en:Italy.

The "Massacre of the Innocents" as depicted by the painting (sorry if it is too graphic) is not recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus (A.D. 37 - c.100), but we do know that Herod put several of his children and some of his wives to death.  In fact:

Emperor Augustus reportedly said it was better to be Herod’s sow than his son, for his sow had a better chance of surviving in a Jewish community. In the Greek language, as in English, there is only one letter difference between the words 'sow' (huos) and 'son' (huios). (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

What a cruel Jew! Herod was born about 73 B.C. and reigned in Judah as "king of the Jews" from 40-4 B.C. 

God's intervention saved this Savior from Herod's jealousy! Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 and Jeremiah 31:5 as Old Testament prophecies of Jesus because his audience is the Jews. 

14. Return to Nazareth: Matthew 2:19-23

Herod died in 4 B.C., so an angel appeared to Joseph and told him to go back to the land of Israel. Herod's son, Archelaus ("Herod the Ethnarch"), ruled Judea, Samaria, and Idumea from 4 B.C. to A.D. 6. He had the worst reputation of all the sons and was known for his tyranny (some thought he was insane due to family intermarriages). The region of Galilee that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus went to was ruled by "Herod the tetrarch" or Antipas (Matthew 14:1; Luke 23:7-12) who was a much saner ruler than his brother, but we will see that he was not necessarily a nice guy. 

There is no specific prophecy that says, "He will be a Nazarene," but many scholars believe that Matthew is referring to Isaiah 11:1 because the Hebrew word for "branch"(neṣer) is similar to the consonants in Nazarene. 

Nazareth was in a hilly area of southern Galilee near the crossroads of the great caravan routes, connecting this small town with people from all over the world. The Roman garrison was also housed there. The people of Nazareth were known for their independence. Consequently, many Jews despised them (we will soon learn what Nathanael thought of Nazarenes in John 1:46). 

15. Jesus speaks with the religious teachers: Luke 2:41-52

Fast forward 12 years, and we see Mary and Joseph making their yearly trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. This one-day celebration was followed by the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Often the combined eight-day celebration is called the Passover in the gospel accounts. (See a chart of all the Jewish feasts HERE. It will be a handy reference because you will read many things about the feasts.)

The feast commemorated the Lord's passing over the houses of the Israelites (Exodus 12:13) when the firstborn of all the Egyptians was destroyed. It is a reminder of God's great deliverance from the Egyptian bondage. It is one of three Feasts (the others being the Feast of Weeks and Tabernacles, Deuteronomy 16:16) in which every male was required to go to Jerusalem. 

Jesus could have been in the front of the caravan with the women or in the back with the men since he was almost an adult. Therefore, it is conceivable that one parent would have assumed he was with the other one. 

Temple courts were a place of learning. During the Passover, the most infamous rabbis would have been there teaching, and the subject of the Messiah would have probably been a regular topic of discussion. Jesus astounded them all. 

Jesus' answer to Mary's question (Luke 2:48-49) indicates that He is the son of His True Father. He would do His Father's will when He was called to do so. In the meantime, God had for Jesus to be obedient to His earthly parents and increase in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).

The events of Jesus' life are silent until Jesus is about 30 years old. Stay tuned! 

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

Luke 2:52 is a great verse to pray for your children, someone you may be helping grow in Christ, or even yourself!  My kids have definitely grown in stature as they stand 6'6 1/2" and 6'8 1/2". I have prayed that they would grow even taller spiritually!

PRAYER

Lord, help us to grow to be tall in Jesus. Amen.