THE FLIGHT TO EGYPT

Dr. He Qi

Dr. He Qi

The flight into Egypt is a biblical event described in the Gospel of Matthew,  in which Joseph fled to Egypt with his wife Mary and the Child Jesus after a visit by  the Magi because they learn that King Herod intends to kill the infants of that area. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet Hosea, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."


The episode is frequently shown in art, as the final episode of the Nativity of Jesus. Here I present some of my favorite by modern artists whom I like to showcase, as I think they can sometimes speak to us more of our times than the better known Masters.

Gillian Lawson- British

Why Egypt?  Egypt was a logical place to find refuge, as it was outside the dominions of King Herod, but both Egypt and Palestine were part of the Roman Empire, making travel between them easy and relatively safe. Egypt had long been a safe haven for Israel’s prophets fleeing evil.

Anthea Craigmyle- British

Abraham ran to Egypt. Joseph and his family ran there. Archeologists tell us that at that time the capital city was Alexandria, and there were a million Jews living in Alexandria.

So when Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt, they were fleeing to a place where it was familiar, where they had relatives and their home language was spoken. There is historical plausibility that Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt for safety and to be with people who spoke their own language and shared their customs.

Roy Jamini- Indian

Dr. Stephane Rene- Coptic

Later, Egypt would become one of the earliest strongholds of Christianity outside Palestine. The Coptic Church and Christian monasticism owe their origins to these early times in Egypt.


According to the Gospel of Matthew the family remained in Egypt until an angel in a dream to Joseph announced the death of Herod, but since Archelaus, his evil son, now governed Judea they did not return there but made their home at Nazareth in Galilee.

Michael O'Brien- USA