Chapter 13

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”” Matthew 2:1-2.

They left Bethlehem and took refuge in Egypt to escape the slaughter that was decreed by King Herod the Great.

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Matthew 2:13.

““When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. ³⁴ You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:33-34.

“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 22:21.

The Bible does not mention the exact duration of stay of the Holy Family in Egypt. However they returned to Israel after the death of King Herod the Great which occurred at about 4 BC.

“And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 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 district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:21-23

Esan is the ethnic language of the Esan people who live in Edo State in southern Nigeria. They emigrated from the Bini (Benin) Kingdom in Nigeria in the middle of the 15^th century. They are predominantly Christian.

“and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Luke 2:45-47.

Jesus was taking his ministry to the Sadducees who disputed his doctrines. Matthew 22:29.