Matthew 2:12
New International Version
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Berean Standard Bible
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.

Berean Literal Bible
And having been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew into their own country by another route.

King James Bible
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

New King James Version
Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

New American Standard Bible
And after being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

NASB 1995
And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

NASB 1977
And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.

Legacy Standard Bible
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi departed for their own country by another way.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

American Standard Version
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Contemporary English Version
Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road.

English Revised Version
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they left for their country by another road.

Good News Translation
Then they returned to their country by another road, since God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod.

International Standard Version
Having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they left for their own country by a different road.

Majority Standard Bible
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.

NET Bible
After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.

New Heart English Bible
Being warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

Webster's Bible Translation
And being warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Weymouth New Testament
But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by a different route.

World English Bible
Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, through another way they withdrew to their own region.

Berean Literal Bible
And having been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew into their own country by another route.

Young's Literal Translation
and having been divinely warned in a dream not to turn back unto Herod, through another way they withdrew to their own region.

Smith's Literal Translation
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.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And having received a response in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back by another way to their own region.

New American Bible
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

New Revised Standard Version
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they saw in a dream not to return to Herod, so they departed to their own country by another way.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
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.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another way.

Godbey New Testament
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another way.

Haweis New Testament
And having received warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, they departed into their own country by another road.

Mace New Testament
but being divinely warn'd in a dream, not to go back to Herod, they returned into their own country another way.

Weymouth New Testament
But being forbidden by God in a dream to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by a different route.

Worrell New Testament
And, having been divinely warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed by another way into their own country.

Worsley New Testament
And being warned of God in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back into their own country another way.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Pilgrimage of the Magi
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. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. 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.”…

Cross References
Matthew 1:20
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.

Acts 10:22
“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.”

Genesis 20:3
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.”

Genesis 31:24
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.”

Acts 16:9-10
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.

Hebrews 11:7
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.

Genesis 41:25
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.

Daniel 2:19
During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven

Job 33:15-17
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,

Numbers 12:6
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.

Acts 18:9-10
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.”

Genesis 46:2
And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob.

1 Kings 3:5
One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Acts 27:23-24
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.’

Genesis 37:5-10
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.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

warned.

Matthew 2:22
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:

Matthew 1:20
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.

Matthew 27:19
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.

Exodus 1:17
But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

Acts 4:19
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.

Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

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Clear Country Departed Different Divinely Dream Forbidden Herod Instructed Magi Region Route Shouldn't Turn Warned Way Withdrew
Matthew 2
1. The wise men from the east enquire after Jesus;
3. at which Herod is alarmed.
9. They are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents.
13. Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother.
16. Herod slays the children;
20. himself dies.
23. Jesus is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth.














And having been warned in a dream
The phrase "having been warned" comes from the Greek word "chrēmatizō," which implies a divine communication or instruction. In the context of the Bible, dreams often serve as a medium for God to convey His will or warnings to His people. This highlights the sovereignty of God in guiding and protecting His people through supernatural means. The Magi, who were Gentiles, received this divine warning, emphasizing that God's guidance is available to all who seek Him, regardless of their background.

not to return to Herod
Herod, known historically as Herod the Great, was a ruler infamous for his paranoia and tyrannical reign. The Magi were instructed not to return to him, indicating the danger and malevolence associated with Herod's intentions. This phrase underscores the theme of divine protection against evil forces. Herod's desire to find the Christ child was not to worship Him, as he claimed, but to eliminate a perceived threat to his throne. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of the conflict between God's kingdom and earthly powers.

they withdrew to their country
The word "withdrew" suggests a deliberate and cautious departure. The Magi's obedience to the divine warning demonstrates their reverence and respect for God's guidance. Their journey back to their country symbolizes a return to their own lives, transformed by their encounter with the Christ child. This act of obedience is a testament to the transformative power of encountering Jesus, leading to a change in direction and purpose.

by another route
The phrase "by another route" signifies a change in path, both literally and metaphorically. It highlights the theme of transformation and new beginnings. After encountering Jesus, the Magi's journey was altered, symbolizing the new life and direction that comes from meeting Christ. This serves as an inspiration for believers to be open to God's leading, even when it requires taking unexpected paths. The Magi's account encourages Christians to trust in God's guidance and to be willing to change course when He directs, knowing that His ways are higher than ours.

(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.

Verse 12. - And being warned of God (καὶ χρηματισθέντες; cf. Bishop Westcott, on Hebrews 8:5). 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 (Matthew 1:20, 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

having been warned
χρηματισθέντες (chrēmatisthentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5537: 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
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

a dream
ὄναρ (onar)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3677: A dream. Of uncertain derivation; a dream.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: 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
Strong's 344: To bend or turn back; I return. From ana and kampto; to turn back.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

Herod,
Ἡρῴδην (Hērōdēn)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2264: Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.

they withdrew
ἀνεχώρησαν (anechōrēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 402: From ana and choreo; to retire.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: 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
Strong's 846: 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
Strong's 5561: 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
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

another
ἄλλης (allēs)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

route.
ὁδοῦ (hodou)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.


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