Translation commentary on Matthew 2:19

In Greek the structure when Herod died is similar to the structure “when Jesus was born” (2.1). As can be seen by the two Good News Translation renderings (“After Herod died” and “Jesus was born”), it is possible to translate these structures by either dependent or independent clauses. The determinative factor is the structure that is most natural in the receptor language. Some languages will have to use two independent sentences, as in “Herod died. After that an angel of the Lord….”

For behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream, see comments on 1.20.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Matthew 2:19

Section 2:19–23

Jesus’ family moved from Egypt to Nazareth

In this section, Matthew showed another way that scripture was fulfilled. When Joseph moved Mary and Jesus back to Israel, he intended to live in the district of Judea. But God warned him in a dream not to live there. So he went to the district of Galilee and lived in the town of Nazareth. In that way, the scripture was fulfilled that said that Jesus would be a Nazarene.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Return from Egypt (Good News Translation)
-or-
The Return to Nazareth (NET Bible)
-or-
Jesus fulfills scripture by living in Nazareth

Paragraph 2:19–21

2:19a

The Greek of 2:19a begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “but.” Here, it functions to introduce the next part of the story. It does not show contrast. The Berean Standard Bible and most English versions do not translate this conjunction here. You should begin this paragraph in a way that is natural in your language.

After Herod died: In some languages, it may be more natural to make the clause Herod died a complete sentence. For example:

One day, Herod died.
-or-
Later, ⌊King⌋ Herod died.

In other languages, it may be more natural to begin 2:19a with some of the information from 2:19b. For example:

While Joseph ⌊and his family⌋ ⌊were still⌋ in Egypt, Herod died.

2:19b

The Greek of 2:19b begins with a word that is often translated as “behold.” It indicates that something unexpected and extraordinary will happen. In this passage, an angel again appeared to Joseph. You should translate this expression in the same way as you did in 2:13b.

an angel of the Lord: This expression also occurred in 2:13. See how you translated it there.

appeared in a dream to Joseph: This clause is the same as the clause in 2:13b.

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