Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 2:19

"But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying," — Matthew 2:19 (ASV)

This fourth dream and third mention of the “angel of the Lord” (v.19) continues the divine initiative in preserving and guiding the Child. Although the whole land was before Joseph and he apparently hoped to settle in Judea (perhaps in Bethlehem), he was forced to retire to despised Galilee.