Abstract:
Using pull and push factors inspired by the migration theory, this study explains Matthew’s
Sondergut concerning Jesus’ flight to Egypt from the perspective of possible pull–push factors
associated with Egypt and Palestine during the first century. Within early Christianity, two
perception strands concerning Egypt existed: on the one hand, Jews such as Celsus depicted
Egypt negatively as a place of magic and oppression. Yet another perspective portrays Egypt
as a place of refuge, recuperation and recovery – a view reflected in Luke-Acts, Matthew and
some parts of Mark. Not disregarding views that read the story as Midrash or allegory,
this study focuses on Matthew’s Sondergut concerning Jesus’ flight to Egypt as narrative
explainable from a positive migration perspective, and argues that the prosperity of Egypt and
possible political turmoil in Palestine during the first century give plausible reconstruct for
Matthew’s Sondergut regarding Jesus’ flight to Egypt as a place of refuge and sustenance.
Description:
This research is part of the
project, ‘Healing during the
New Testament’, directed
by Dr Dube, Department of
New Testament and Related
Literature, Faculty of
Theology and Religion,
University of Pretoria.
