2:13-15
Having appeared to the Magi, the angel also appeared to Joseph as well, warning him and telling him to escape to Egypt with his family. Matthew seems to be trying to draw a parallel between Moses and Jesus. Israel saw Moses as the founder of the nation, the one through whom the Lord worked, in the same way Jesus is the founder of the new people of God, and is the one through whom God executes His plans. So Joseph and Mary left for Egypt in the night. Matthew quotes Hos 11:1. Israel was called out of Egypt, Jesus was also called out of Egypt. Herod died in 4BC. This is why the birth of Jesus is out at 5 or 6 BC. I t was not possible for him to have been born in 0 BC.
2:16
Herod was an insecure and violent man. His action of killing the infants was entirely in character. The number killed was probably about 30, based on the population of Bethlehem.Dictators tend to be insecure, and their insecurity results in more violence.
2:17,18
Matthew then quotes from Jer 31:15, Ramah was located about fifteen miles north of Jerusalem. Rachel is used to represent Israel. The killing of the infants resulted in much weeping.
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