Matthew 2:13
Ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου φαίνεται κατ’ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ λέγων· Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ φεῦγε εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι· μέλλει γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ζητεῖν τὸ παιδίον τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτό.
Literal English Translation
And after they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appears in a dream to Joseph, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod is about to seek the child to destroy him.”
Grammatical Precision and Narrative Speed
Genitive aorist participle of ἀναχωρέω (“to depart, withdraw”). This genitive absolute sets the stage, indicating that this divine intervention occurs immediately after the magi’s departure. It’s a classic Greek syntactic device for background action, frequently found in historiography and narrative prose.
Theophany in a Dream
- ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος Κυρίου φαίνεται – “Behold, an angel of the Lord appears.” ἰδού adds narrative emphasis and immediacy. φαίνεται (present middle/passive) suggests an ongoing vision or appearance. The phrase mirrors LXX formulae for angelic visitation (cf. Genesis 16:7, Exodus 3:2).
- κατ’ ὄναρ – “in a dream.” This dative expression is idiomatic and appears in both Classical and Koine Greek (cf. Herodotus 1.107). Matthew’s Gospel uniquely emphasizes divine communication through dreams, particularly in Yoseph’s narrative.
Imperatives of Escape
Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε… φεῦγε – Three sharp commands. Ἐγερθεὶς is an aorist participle (“having arisen”), functioning imperatively. παράλαβε is aorist imperative of παραλαμβάνω (“take alongside, receive”), and φεῦγε is present imperative of φεύγω (“flee, escape”). In Classical Greek, φεύγω is commonly judicial—used for defendants fleeing conviction. In the Gospel, it marks divine preservation amid political danger.
Temporal Clause and Eschatological Threat
ἴσθι ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι – “Stay there until I tell you.” ἴσθι is the 2nd person singular imperative of εἰμί (“be, remain”). ἕως ἂν introduces a temporal clause with the subjunctive εἴπω (1st person aorist subjunctive of λέγω), expressing uncertainty and divine timing. This structure is common in both Classical drama and Koine apocalyptic instruction, emphasizing waiting on divine word.
Royal Violence Foretold
μέλλει γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ζητεῖν… τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτό – μέλλει ζητεῖν (“is about to seek”) uses the verb μέλλω + infinitive, signaling imminent action. ζητεῖν (“to seek”) often signals hostile intent in biblical Greek. The final phrase τοῦ ἀπολέσαι (genitive articular infinitive of purpose from ἀπόλλυμι) defines Herod’s intention: destruction. This infinitive construction echoes Classical expressions of purposeful intent but is sharpened by the prophetic urgency of apocalyptic literature.
Structural Summary
| Clause | Key Greek Elements | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporal Background | Ἀναχωρησάντων… | Genitive absolute | Sets the scene after the magi depart |
| Divine Appearance | ἄγγελος Κυρίου φαίνεται | Present passive | Echoes LXX theophanies |
| Commands | Ἐγερθεὶς, παράλαβε, φεῦγε | Aorist/present imperatives | Urgency and physical motion |
| Time condition | ἕως ἂν εἴπω | Subjunctive clause | Awaiting divine timing |
| Threat explanation | μέλλει ζητεῖν… τοῦ ἀπολέσαι | Futurity + purpose | Herod’s intent is destruction |
Closing Reflection
This verse moves with urgency and theological precision. The syntax is tight, driven by imperatives, while the vocabulary borrows from both Classical danger and biblical prophecy. The angel’s message is not merely protective—it is strategic, informed by knowledge beyond human sight. Through participles and infinitives, Matthew’s Greek presents a divine intervention carried out in quiet haste.
