This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Matthew 2:13-18, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
There was a family made up of a man named Joseph, his wife Mary, and their new baby boy, Jesus.
One night, while Joseph was sleeping, an angel came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Wake up, Joseph! You need to take Mary and Jesus and go to Egypt. King Herod wants to hurt Jesus, so you need to go far away to keep him safe.”
Joseph woke up right away and listened to the angel. He gathered up his family and they left their home in Bethlehem in the middle of the night. They traveled all the way to Egypt and stayed there for a long time. King Herod searched for Jesus but he couldn’t find him because they were in Egypt.
Sadly, while they were gone, King Herod became very angry because he thought the wise men tricked him. He ordered that all the baby boys in Bethlehem who were two years old or younger be killed. Many mothers and fathers were very sad because their babies were taken from them.
But Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were safe in Egypt because they listened to the angel’s message. They stayed there until they heard it was safe to return home.
Biblical Lessons
- Evil exists in the world and can lead people to do terrible things, but God is stronger and can protect us.
- It is important to trust in God’s plan even when things are difficult.
- God is with us even in times of danger and uncertainty.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Practical, biblical guidance on disciplines like prayer, Bible intake, worship, and fasting to grow in godliness.
View on Amazon
Pilgrim Theology
An accessible summary of Reformed theology that connects doctrine to the Christian life.
View on Amazon
The Reason for God
Thoughtful, biblical responses to common objections to Christianity, aimed at skeptics and believers alike.
View on Amazon
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
A robust, Scripture-saturated theology of prayer with practical guidance for deepening communion with God.
View on Amazon
The Discipline of Grace
Shows how God's grace and our disciplined effort work together in sanctification.
View on Amazon
The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination
Explains and defends the doctrines of grace and God's sovereign election from Scripture.
View on Amazon
Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
View on Amazon
Total Truth
Equips believers to see all of life through a biblical worldview and challenge secular thinking.
View on Amazon
The Universe Next Door
Surveys competing worldviews and contrasts them with the Christian view of reality.
View on Amazon
Reformed Dogmatics (Single Volume Abridgement)
A rich, Reformed systematic theology that is deeply biblical and Christ-centered.
View on Amazon
Delighting in the Trinity
A joyful, readable introduction to the triune God and why His tri-unity is good news.
View on Amazon
The Christian Life
A clear, doctrinally rich overview of salvation and Christian living.
View on Amazon
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness
Shows how the gospel frees us from self-obsession to live in joy and service.
View on Amazon
Idols of the Heart
Helps believers identify and repent of heart-idols through the lens of Scripture.
View on Amazon
Family Worship
A short, practical guide to leading your home in daily worship of God.
View on Amazon
This Momentary Marriage
Shows how marriage is designed to display the covenant love of Christ and His church.
View on Amazon