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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/2-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/40_Mat_02_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 2:12 - The Pilgrimage of the Magi" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route." /><script type="application/javascript" 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href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/2.htm">New International Version</a> And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. <a href="/nlt/matthew/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. <a href="/esv/matthew/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. <a href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. <a href="/blb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew into their own country by another route. <a href="/kjv/matthew/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And after being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. <a href="/nasb/matthew/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way. <a href="/lsb/matthew/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi departed for their own country by another way. <a href="/amp/matthew/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And having been warned [by God] in a dream not to go back to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. <a href="/csb/matthew/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. <a href="/asv/matthew/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. <a href="/cev/matthew/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road. <a href="/erv/matthew/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. <a href="/gwt/matthew/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they left for their country by another road. <a href="/gnt/matthew/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then they returned to their country by another road, since God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. <a href="/isv/matthew/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they left for their own country by a different road. <a href="/msb/matthew/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. <a href="/net/matthew/2.htm">NET Bible</a> After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country. <a href="/nheb/matthew/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Being warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way. <a href="/wbt/matthew/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And being warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. <a href="/wey/matthew/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by a different route. <a href="/web/matthew/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and having been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, through another way they withdrew to their own region. <a href="/blb/matthew/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew into their own country by another route. <a href="/ylt/matthew/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and having been divinely warned in a dream not to turn back unto Herod, through another way they withdrew to their own region. <a href="/slt/matthew/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And having received intimation of the divine will in a dream not to turn back to Herod, by another way they went back to their own country.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And having received a response in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back by another way to their own region. <a href="/nabre/matthew/2.htm">New American Bible</a> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they saw in a dream not to return to Herod, so they departed to their own country by another way. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And it was seen by them in a dream that they should not return to Herodus, and they went to their country by another road.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another way.<CM> <a href="/godbey/matthew/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another way. <a href="/haweis/matthew/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And having received warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, they departed into their own country by another road.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but being divinely warn'd in a dream, not to go back to Herod, they returned into their own country another way. <a href="/wey/matthew/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by a different route. <a href="/worrell/matthew/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, having been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed by another way into their own country. <a href="/worsley/matthew/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And being warned of God in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back into their own country another way. <a href="/parallel/matthew/2-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=332" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/2.htm">The Pilgrimage of the Magi</a> …11On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/5537.htm" title="5537: chrēmatisthentes (V-APP-NMP) -- From chrema; to utter an oracle, i.e. Divinely intimate; by implication, to constitute a firm for business, i.e. bear as a title.">having been warned</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kat’ (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">in</a> <a href="/greek/3677.htm" title="3677: onar (N-ANS) -- A dream. Of uncertain derivation; a dream.">a dream</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">not</a> <a href="/greek/344.htm" title="344: anakampsai (V-ANA) -- To bend or turn back; I return. From ana and kampto; to turn back.">to return</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/2264.htm" title="2264: Hērōdēn (N-AMS) -- Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.">Herod,</a> <a href="/greek/402.htm" title="402: anechōrēsan (V-AIA-3P) -- From ana and choreo; to retire.">they withdrew</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/5561.htm" title="5561: chōran (N-AFS) -- Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. A space of territory.">country</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: di’ (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">by</a> <a href="/greek/243.htm" title="243: allēs (Adj-GFS) -- Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; else, i.e. Different.">another</a> <a href="/greek/3598.htm" title="3598: hodou (N-GFS) -- A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.">route.</a> 13When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20</a> But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. <a href="/acts/10-22.htm">Acts 10:22</a> “Cornelius the centurion has sent us,” they said. “He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you.” <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3</a> One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.” <a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24</a> But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” <a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Acts 16:9-10</a> During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” / As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. <a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">Hebrews 11:7</a> By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. <a href="/genesis/41-25.htm">Genesis 41:25</a> At this, Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. <a href="/daniel/2-19.htm">Daniel 2:19</a> During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven <a href="/job/33-15.htm">Job 33:15-17</a> In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings / to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, <a href="/numbers/12-6.htm">Numbers 12:6</a> He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream. <a href="/acts/18-9.htm">Acts 18:9-10</a> One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.” <a href="/genesis/46-2.htm">Genesis 46:2</a> And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. <a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a> One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” <a href="/acts/27-23.htm">Acts 27:23-24</a> For just last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me / and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’ <a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-10</a> Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. / He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: / We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.warned.<a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Matthew 2:22</a> But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:<a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20</a> But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.<a href="/matthew/27-19.htm">Matthew 27:19</a> When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.they departed.<a href="/exodus/1-17.htm">Exodus 1:17</a> But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.<a href="/acts/4-19.htm">Acts 4:19</a> But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.<a href="/acts/5-29.htm">Acts 5:29</a> Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Country</a> <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/malachi/3-18.htm">Different</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-25.htm">Divinely</a> <a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-7.htm">Forbidden</a> <a href="/matthew/2-7.htm">Herod</a> <a href="/hosea/7-15.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/matthew/2-7.htm">Magi</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-8.htm">Region</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-8.htm">Route</a> <a href="/jonah/4-11.htm">Shouldn't</a> <a href="/malachi/4-6.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-9.htm">Warned</a> <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">Way</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Withdrew</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/6-22.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Country</a> <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/matthew/11-3.htm">Different</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Divinely</a> <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/acts/10-28.htm">Forbidden</a> <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Herod</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Instructed</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Magi</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Region</a> <a href="/numbers/14-25.htm">Route</a> <a href="/matthew/18-33.htm">Shouldn't</a> <a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Warned</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Way</a> <a href="/matthew/2-14.htm">Withdrew</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 2</div>1. <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">The wise men from the east enquire after Jesus;</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/2-3.htm">at which Herod is alarmed.</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother.</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Herod slays the children;</a> 20. <a href="/matthew/2-20.htm">himself dies.</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/2-23.htm">Jesus is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And having been warned in a dream Dreams are a common means of divine communication in the Bible, seen in the lives of figures like Joseph (<a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-10</a>) and Daniel (<a href="/daniel/2-19.htm">Daniel 2:19</a>). In Matthew, dreams play a significant role in guiding the events surrounding Jesus' early life (<a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20, 2</a>:13, 2:19). This divine intervention underscores God's sovereignty and protection over the Christ child.not to return to Herod Herod the Great, known for his paranoia and ruthless rule, sought to eliminate any threat to his throne, including the newborn "King of the Jews" (<a href="/matthew/2-3.htm">Matthew 2:3</a>). The Magi's decision not to return to Herod highlights the contrast between Herod's earthly power and God's divine authority. This act of obedience to God's warning protected Jesus from Herod's subsequent massacre of the innocents (<a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16</a>).they withdrew to their country The Magi, likely from Persia or Babylon, were Gentiles who recognized and worshiped Jesus as King. Their return to their homeland signifies the beginning of the Gospel's reach beyond Israel, foreshadowing the Great Commission (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19</a>). This event also fulfills the prophecy of nations coming to the light of the Messiah (<a href="/isaiah/60-3.htm">Isaiah 60:3</a>).by another route The Magi's choice to take a different path symbolizes a transformation after encountering Christ. It reflects the spiritual journey of conversion and repentance, where one turns away from former ways and follows a new path in obedience to God. This change of route also ensured the safety of the Christ child, demonstrating God's providential care.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_magi.htm">The Magi</a> Wise men from the East who came to worship Jesus. They were likely astrologers or scholars familiar with Jewish prophecies. 2. <a href="/topical/h/herod_the_great.htm">Herod the Great</a> The ruling king of Judea at the time, known for his paranoia and tyrannical rule. He sought to kill Jesus to eliminate a potential rival. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_dream.htm">The Dream</a> A divine warning given to the Magi, instructing them not to return to Herod. This dream signifies God's direct intervention and guidance. 4. <a href="/topical/t/their_country.htm">Their Country</a> The homeland of the Magi, which they returned to by a different route to avoid Herod. 5. <a href="/topical/a/another_route.htm">Another Route</a> The alternate path taken by the Magi to ensure the safety of Jesus, demonstrating obedience to God's warning.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_guidance.htm">Divine Guidance</a> God provides direction to those who seek Him. The Magi's experience reminds us to be attentive to God's leading, even when it comes in unexpected ways. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god.htm">Obedience to God</a> The Magi's decision to heed the warning and take a different route exemplifies the importance of obeying God's instructions, even when it requires altering our plans. <a href="/topical/p/protection_from_evil.htm">Protection from Evil</a> God's warning to the Magi protected Jesus from Herod's evil intentions. This teaches us that God is actively involved in safeguarding His purposes and people. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_dreams.htm">The Role of Dreams</a> Dreams can be a medium through which God communicates. While not every dream is divine, we should be open to the possibility of God speaking to us in various ways. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a> The Magi's journey and God's intervention demonstrate that God's plans are sovereign and trustworthy, encouraging us to rely on His wisdom over our understanding.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 2</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_three_wise_men's_story.htm">What is the story of the Three Wise Men?</a> <a href="/q/dreams_visions__meaning_and_reliability.htm">What do dreams and visions mean and their reliability?</a> <a href="/q/are_dream_catchers_christian.htm">Are dream catchers part of Christian tradition?</a> <a href="/q/are_prophetic_dreams_divinely_sourced.htm">Do prophetic dreams originate from a divine source?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) Being warned of God.--Following the order of events in our minds, it seems probable that after their homage on the evening of their arrival, they retired, possibly to the "inn" of Bethlehem, and were then, in their sleep, warned not to return to Jerusalem the following day, but to make their way to the fords of Jordan, and so to escape from the tyrant's jealous pursuit. So ends all that we know of the visit of the Magi. St. Matthew, writing for Hebrews, recorded it apparently as testifying to the kingly character of Jesus. Christendom, however, has rightly seen in it a yet deeper significance, and the "wise men" have been regarded as the first-fruits of the outlying heathen world, the earnest of the future ingathering. Among all the festivals that enter into the Christmas cycle, none has made so deep an impression on Christian feeling, poetry, and art as the Epiphany, or "Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles." The arrangement which places that festival at an interval of twelve days only from the Nativity is purely arbitrary.We need not ignore the fact that the narrative has been treated by many critics as purely mythical. Those who so regard it, however, with hardly an exception, extend their theory to every supernatural element in the Gospel history; and so this is but a fragmentary issue, part of a far wider question, with which this is not the place to deal. The very least that can be said is that there are no special notes of a legendary character in this narrative which could warrant our regarding it as less trustworthy than the rest of the Gospel. Why St. Matthew only records this fact, and St. Luke only the visit of the shepherds, is a question which we may ask, but cannot answer. The two narratives are, at any rate, in no way whatever irreconcilable.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - And being warned of God (καὶ χρηματισθέντες; cf. Bishop Westcott, on <a href="/hebrews/8-5.htm">Hebrews 8:5</a>). And, not "but;" this is joined to the threefold "and" of ver. 11, and is the final example of God's mercy and grace towards them, preserving them from probable death at Herod's hands. In a dream (<a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20</a>, note). That they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. Perhaps eastwards by Bet Sahur and Mar Saba and Jericho. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/2-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. having been warned χρηματισθέντες (chrēmatisthentes) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5537.htm">Strong's 5537: </a> From chrema; to utter an oracle, i.e. Divinely intimate; by implication, to constitute a firm for business, i.e. bear as a title. in κατ’ (kat’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). a dream ὄναρ (onar) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3677.htm">Strong's 3677: </a> A dream. Of uncertain derivation; a dream. not μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. to return ἀνακάμψαι (anakampsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_344.htm">Strong's 344: </a> To bend or turn back; I return. From ana and kampto; to turn back. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. Herod, Ἡρῴδην (Hērōdēn) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2264.htm">Strong's 2264: </a> Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings. they withdrew ἀνεχώρησαν (anechōrēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_402.htm">Strong's 402: </a> From ana and choreo; to retire. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. country χώραν (chōran) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5561.htm">Strong's 5561: </a> Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. A space of territory. by δι’ (di’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. another ἄλλης (allēs) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_243.htm">Strong's 243: </a> Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different. route. ὁδοῦ (hodou) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3598.htm">Strong's 3598: </a> A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/2-12.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 2:12 Being warned in a dream that they (Matt. 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