Home / Sunday School / Jesus Escapes to Egypt

New Testament · Matthew 2:13-23

Jesus Escapes to Egypt

After the visitors depart, an angel of the Lord warns Joseph in a dream that Herod is seeking the child to destroy him. Joseph takes Mary and Jesus by night and leaves for Egypt. They remain there until Herod dies. Matthew connects these events with Scripture. After Herod’s death, an angel tells Joseph to return to Israel, but Joseph settles the family in Galilee because Herod’s son Archelaus rules Judea; Jesus is raised in Nazareth.

Coloring pages: 6Age/complexity: Explore (ages 3–5) · Imagine (ages 6–8) · Discover (ages 9–12)

Lesson resource collection

Color the story, one scene at a time.

Choose individual pages for your group, or print a coordinated story sheet when one is available.

Print Jesus Escapes to Egypt: 4-Scene Story Sheet

Joseph receives a warning from an angel of the Lord in a dream to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt for the child’s protection.

A Dream Warning

Matthew 2:13-23

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus departing together at night for Egypt, as described in Matthew 2:14.

Leaving for Egypt at Night

Matthew 2:13-23

Mary, Joseph, and Jesus together in a quiet Egyptian setting, representing their protected stay in Egypt until Herod dies.

Safe in Egypt

Matthew 2:13-23

A symbolic, non-graphic depiction of Herod the Great issuing an order while parents and mourners grieve in Bethlehem.

A City in Mourning

Matthew 2:13-23

Joseph receives an angel’s message in a dream in Egypt to take Jesus and Mary back to Israel because those seeking the child’s life are dead.

The Return Is Safe

Matthew 2:13-23

Joseph leads Mary and Jesus into Nazareth in Galilee as the family settles there after Joseph is warned in a dream.

A New Home in Nazareth

Matthew 2:13-23

Scripture reference

Matthew 2:13-23

Use this reference as you prepare and read the account with your class.

Talk together

A thoughtful question