Parent and Family Background
Matthew’s gospel presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the scriptures. This particular story is a good example. In a dream, an angel warns Joseph. So, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus flee from Bethlehem to Egypt because Herod plans to destroy the newborn king.
After the holy family escapes, Herod slaughters all the male children in Bethlehem, fulfilling the passage from Jeremiah 31:15. After Herod’s death, the family can return to Bethlehem, fulfilling the passage from Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” Again, an angel warns Joseph not to return to Bethlehem, so the holy family goes to Nazareth, fulfilling another prophecy, “He shall be called a Nazarene” from Matthew 2:23.
The Holy Family: The Flight Into Egypt
Matthew 2:13-15
After the magi departed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. They angel said, “Rise, take the child and his mother. Flee to Egypt and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”
Joseph rose and took the child and Mary. In the middle of the night, they left for Egypt. The family stayed there until Herod’s death.
Thus it happened as God had spoken through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Connecting to Faith First - Legacy Edition
Grade 1, chapter 4
Grade 2, chapters 3 and 16
Grade 3, chapters 3 and 5
Grade 4, chapters 6 and 11
Grade 5, chapter 6
Grade 6, chapter 9
Junior high, Mystery of God, chapters 6 and 12
Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 2
Connecting to Faith First®
Kindergarten, chapter 10
Grade 1, chapters 4 and 16
Grade 2, chapter 5
Grade 3, chapters 3 and 5
Grade 4, chapter 6
Grade 5, chapter 6
Grade 6, chapter 9
Junior High, Creed and Prayer, chapters 7 and 12