The author concludes the birth story of Jesus by narrating the return of Jesus and his family to “the land of Israel” (used twice; 2:20–21), and specifically to Nazareth in Galilee, after Herod’s death (4 BC; 2:22–23). Once again, the Lord’s guidance comes to Joseph through an angel in a dream, instructing him to return to Israel and then warning him about Herod’s son Archelaus, now ruling in Judea. Joseph obeys, as he has at each instance of divine guidance (1:24; 2:14, 21–22). For Matthew, Jesus’s return to the land mirrors Israel’s return from Egypt (Exod. 14:1–15:27; Hos. 11:1) and begins Israel’s return from their present exile (Matt. 1:11–12; 2:5–6, 15, 17–18).

The l…