Flight into Egypt facts for kids
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The Flight into Egypt is an important story from the Bible. It's found in the Gospel of Matthew. This story tells how Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus had to escape to Egypt. They fled because King Herod wanted to harm Jesus.
This event is often shown in famous artworks. It's a key part of stories about the birth of Jesus and the lives of Mary and Jesus. Later, artists also started showing the "Rest on the Flight into Egypt", where the family takes a break during their journey.
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The Flight from King Herod
When wise men, called the Magi, came looking for Jesus, they first went to Herod the Great in Jerusalem. They asked where to find the new "King of the Jews". King Herod became very worried that this child would take his throne. So, he planned to kill Jesus (2:1–8).
Herod then ordered the Massacre of the Innocents. This was a terrible event where he tried to kill all young boys in Bethlehem. But an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel warned him to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt (Matthew 2:13).
Egypt was a good place to hide. It was outside Herod's control. Both Egypt and Judea were part of the Roman Empire. This made travel between them easier and safer. They could use a coastal road known as "the way of the sea".
Returning from Egypt
After some time, the Holy Family returned from Egypt. The Bible says that Herod had died. Historians believe Herod died in 4 BC.
The family first planned to return to Judah. But they found out that Archelaus, Herod's son, was the new king. Archelaus was known for being very violent. So, they decided to go to Galilee instead. This area was safer. Historically, Archelaus was so harsh that the Romans removed him from power in 6 AD.
Prophecy and Meaning
The Gospel of Matthew mentions a prophecy from the Book of Hosea (11:1). It says: "... and out of Egypt I called My son."
This prophecy first referred to God calling the nation of Israel out of Egypt during the Exodus. Israel was called God's "first-born son" (Exodus 4:22–23). Matthew saw this prophecy also applying to Jesus. Just as Israel was saved from slavery in Egypt, Jesus was saved from King Herod. This shows Jesus as the true "Son of God" coming out of Egypt.
Is the Story Historical?
The Gospel of Luke tells a different story about Jesus' early life. It says the family went to the Temple in Jerusalem and then home to Nazareth. Because of these differences, some scholars wonder if both stories are entirely true.
However, many historians and scholars believe the Flight into Egypt could have happened. They point out that it was common for people to seek safety in Egypt from rulers or hard times. Egypt was a close and safe place for Jewish families to go.
For example, scholar R. T. France noted that Joseph choosing Egypt was typical for Palestinians fearing their government. Avoiding Judea under Archelaus and feeling safe in Galilee also fits what we know about that time.
Other Stories and Traditions
Christian Stories
Over time, many other stories were added to the Flight into Egypt. These are found in "Infancy Gospels," which are not part of the official Bible. Some tales say that palm trees bowed down to Jesus. Others tell of Jesus taming dragons or desert animals showing him respect. There's even a story about him meeting the two thieves who would later be crucified with him.
These stories are very important to the Coptic Church in Egypt. Many churches and shrines in Egypt mark places where the Holy Family is believed to have stayed. One famous church, Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (Abu Serga), is said to be built where they lived.
One popular story from the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew says that Mary rested under a palm tree. The baby Jesus then made the tree bend down so Mary could eat its fruit. He also made a spring of water appear from its roots.
Muslim Stories
The Qur'ān, the holy book of Islam, doesn't include the Flight into Egypt story. However, some parts of it are similar to the Christian stories. For example, the Qur'ān describes Mary giving birth while leaning against a date-palm tree, which then provides her with dates and water. This suggests that some traditions might have influenced each other.
Later Muslim writers, like Abū Isḥāḳ al-Thaʿlabī and al-Ṭabarī, did write about the Flight into Egypt. They often added details, such as the family staying in Egypt for twelve years.
The Flight in Art
The Flight into Egypt has been a very popular subject for artists. Paintings often show Mary with baby Jesus on a donkey, led by Joseph. Sometimes Joseph carries the child on his shoulders.
From the 15th century, a new scene became popular: the "Rest on the Flight into Egypt". This shows the family taking a break during their journey. Angels often join them.
Artists often included details from the extra stories in their paintings.
- Miracle of the Corn: Soldiers chasing the family asked farmers when they saw them. The farmers truthfully said it was when they were planting wheat. But the wheat had miraculously grown tall overnight.
- Miracle of the Idol: A pagan statue fell down as baby Jesus passed by.
- Spring in the Desert: A spring of water appeared in the desert.
- Date Palm: A date palm tree bent down so they could pick its fruit.
As landscape painting grew, the Flight into Egypt became a popular way to show beautiful scenery. The figures of the Holy Family were often small in a large, detailed landscape.
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The American artist Henry Ossawa Tanner often painted the Flight into Egypt. He used this theme to express ideas about freedom, escaping danger, and the movement of African-Americans from the South to the North.
The story has also inspired music and plays. The French composer Hector Berlioz wrote an oratorio called L'enfance du Christ (1854) about these events. A German composer, Valentin Ruckebier, created an opera called The Flight To Egypt in 2021/22.
Nazareth and Jesus' Title
The Gospel of Luke says Jesus' family was originally from Nazareth. Matthew says they moved there after returning from Egypt. They feared Archelaus, who ruled Judea. Nazareth was a small village. Joseph, being a carpenter, might have found work nearby, as the large town of Sepphoris was being rebuilt.
The Bible says Jesus "will be called a Nazarene" (Matthew 2:23). This phrase isn't found exactly like that in the Old Testament. Some scholars think it might be linked to the Hebrew word for "branch" (netzer), which is found in a prophecy in Isaiah (Isaiah 11:1). This suggests Jesus' royal family line.
Christian Traditions and Sites
The Flight into Egypt is one of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
In Coptic Christianity in Egypt, it's believed the Holy Family visited many places. These include Musturud, Wadi El Natrun, and Old Cairo. There are churches and monasteries in these areas that mark their journey. For example, at Al-Maṭariyyah, there is a sycamore tree that is said to be where Mary rested. Some stories even say she hid in its hollow trunk from pursuers.
Images for kids
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Simple medieval wall painting in a German church in Bochum-Stiepel
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Presentation at the Temple and Flight, with legends of the idol and spring, Melchior Broederlam, Burgundy, around 1400
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The miracles of the palm tree and corn on the Flight, from a book of hours, around 1400
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Joachim Patinir, 1510s (?), the inventor of the world landscape, painted several versions of the subject. At right the miracle of the corn, at top left the falling idol
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The Flight into Egypt, Adam Elsheimer, around 1605, as a night scene
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Rubens, 1614
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Jan Asselyn, around 1640
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Romantic Rest on the Flight by Philipp Otto Runge, 1806
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British Orientalist artist Edwin Long, Anno Domini, 1883, shows the arrival in Egypt; the idols seem intact.
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Saint Catherine's Monastery, 12th century
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The Flight into Egypt, stained glass in a choir chapel, Notre Dame de Paris cathedral, Paris, France
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Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Luc-Olivier Merson, 1879, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
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Statue by Legs F. van Hamme, 17th century
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See also
In Spanish: Huida a Egipto para niños
- Chapel of the Milk Grotto
- Exsul Familia
- L'enfance du Christ
- Massacre of the Innocents
- Rest on the Flight into Egypt (Caravaggio)
- Saint Joseph's dreams
- Biblical Egypt
