Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 2:21

"And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel." — Matthew 2:21 (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.