Ἀκούσας δὲ ὅτι Ἀρχέλαος βασιλεύει τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἀντὶ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ Ἡρῴδου ἐφοβήθη ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν· χρηματισθεὶς δὲ κατ’ ὄναρ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας, (Matthew 2:22)
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the regions of Galilee.
A Verse of Transition and Tension
Matthew 2:22 narrates Joseph’s hesitation and divine redirection after the death of Herod the Great. The verse reads: “But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there; and being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the regions of Galilee.” The Greek text employs participles, finite verbs, and purpose clauses to capture both human fear and divine guidance. Its grammar portrays Joseph not as a passive character but as one who listens, fears, and obeys God’s direction.
Key Verbal Forms
- ἀκούσας — “having heard”: aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular of ἀκούω. Introduces the causal background.
- βασιλεύει — “is reigning”: present active indicative, 3rd singular of βασιλεύω. Ongoing action, highlighting Archelaus’ current rule.
- ἐφοβήθη — “he was afraid”: aorist passive (deponent in form), indicative, 3rd singular of φοβέομαι. Expresses Joseph’s decisive emotional response.
- ἀπελθεῖν — “to go away”: aorist active infinitive of ἀπέρχομαι. Object of the verb of fear.
- χρηματισθείς — “having been warned”: aorist passive participle, nominative masculine singular of χρηματίζω. Passive voice stresses divine agency.
- ἀνεχώρησεν — “he withdrew”: aorist active indicative, 3rd singular of ἀναχωρέω. Main verb showing Joseph’s obedient movement.
Parsing Table
| Greek Form | Parsing | Aspect | Function | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἀκούσας | Aor. act. part., nom. masc. sg. of ἀκούω | Perfective | Causal background participle | “having heard” |
| βασιλεύει | Pres. act. ind., 3rd sg. of βασιλεύω | Imperfective | Describes ongoing reign of Archelaus | “is reigning” |
| ἐφοβήθη | Aor. pass. ind., 3rd sg. of φοβέομαι | Perfective | Joseph’s emotional response | “he was afraid” |
| ἀπελθεῖν | Aor. act. inf. of ἀπέρχομαι | Perfective | Complement of verb of fear | “to go away” |
| χρηματισθείς | Aor. pass. part., nom. masc. sg. of χρηματίζω | Perfective (passive) | Divine warning received in a dream | “having been warned” |
| ἀνεχώρησεν | Aor. act. ind., 3rd sg. of ἀναχωρέω | Perfective | Main verb, Joseph’s decisive action | “he withdrew” |
Fear and Caution: ἐφοβήθη ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν
The aorist ἐφοβήθη presents Joseph’s fear as a decisive moment: he resolved not to return to Judea when he learned Archelaus was reigning. The infinitive ἀπελθεῖν (“to go”) depends on the verb of fear, expressing what Joseph hesitated to do. This construction captures the balance between knowledge and caution: Joseph’s fear was not irrational but tied to real political danger under Archelaus’ harsh rule.
Divine Intervention: χρηματισθείς κατ’ ὄναρ
The participle χρηματισθείς — “having been warned” — introduces God’s corrective intervention. The passive voice makes clear that Joseph is not the source of his own guidance; he is acted upon. The phrase κατ’ ὄναρ (“in a dream”) recalls earlier angelic instructions (Matthew 1:20; 2:13, 19). The repeated motif of divine warnings in dreams underscores God’s providential oversight of the Messiah’s protection.
Obedient Withdrawal: ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας
Joseph’s response is summarized by the aorist ἀνεχώρησεν — “he withdrew.” The verb often connotes strategic retreat in Matthew, used when danger arises (cf. 2:14; 4:12; 12:15). His movement to Galilee was not cowardice but faithful obedience to divine direction. The phrase εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας points to the region where Jesus’ ministry will begin, fulfilling prophecy that light would shine in Galilee (Matthew 4:15–16).
Lexical Insights
- ἀκούω — “to hear,” often introducing reports that shape response.
- φοβέομαι — “to fear,” in Matthew sometimes a hindrance but often a realistic recognition of danger.
- χρηματίζω — “to be divinely instructed,” frequently in the passive, emphasizing God as the speaker.
- ἀναχωρέω — “to withdraw,” a common Matthean term for protective retreat or transition.
Theological Implications
Matthew 2:22 portrays the intersection of human prudence and divine guidance. Joseph responds to political reality with fear, but God directs him further by revelation. The grammar underscores this dynamic: participles of hearing and warning frame his decision, while the aorist verbs mark decisive moments of response. The movement from Judea to Galilee reflects God’s larger plan — the Messiah begins his mission not in the expected center of power but in the margins of Galilee, fulfilling Scripture and reorienting expectations of God’s kingdom.
Grammar That Redirects
The verse demonstrates how grammar narrates divine redirection. The participle ἀκούσας introduces human awareness; ἐφοβήθη records emotional hesitation; χρηματισθείς marks divine instruction; and ἀνεχώρησεν concludes with obedience. Syntax here is not neutral but theological — it shows how God steers human choices through both circumstance and revelation. The path from Judea to Galilee is paved with participles and aorists, but more deeply, it is shaped by the interplay of fear, faith, and obedience.
