Out of Egypt I Called My Son: Jesus, Moses, and the Hidden Exodus
Mass Readings for December 28, 2025
Herod is not the man you think he is—he’s far more dangerous and unstable, and this episode delivers all the scandalous details. We’ll go deep into Matthew’s Gospel, where royal intrigue, dreams, and midnight escapes evoke Old Testament drama and unveil striking parallels between Jesus and Moses. We’ll unravel why Egypt was the ultimate refuge, explore Rachel’s mysterious weeping, and take a close look at Nazareth’s hidden significance. This two-for-one episode packs in history, prophecy, and spiritual richness—don’t miss the explosive connections and unsung heroics at the heart of the Christmas story.
Diving deep into our Gospel we'll spend our episode looking closer at:
How the phrase “the child and his mother” subtly signals royal overtones, linking Jesus and Mary to the Davidic king and queen mother tradition of the Old Testament [16:01]
What made Egypt a traditional refuge for Jews, featuring both scriptural examples and the surprising fact that a third of Alexandria’s population may have been Jewish at the time [19:03]
The striking parallel between Jesus’ flight to Egypt and the story of Moses set adrift on the Nile, including dramatic ancient prophecies from Josephus about a child who would humble the Egyptians [24:09]
Why Herod’s massacre in Bethlehem might not have been recorded by historians, and what his other notorious crimes reveal about his infamy [40:41]
The deep meaning behind the phrase “He shall be called a Nazarene,” its mysteriously elusive Old Testament origin, and how it points to Jesus as the “branch” prophesied to restore the Davidic kingdom [48:59]
References
"A hardening has come upon part of Israel until the full number of the Gentiles come in." (Romans 11:25)
"Out of Egypt I called my son." (Hosea 11:1)
"There arose a new king over Egypt who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, behold, the sons of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply. And if war befall us, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land." (Exodus 1:8-10)
"The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, when you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them upon the birth stool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, you shall live." (Exodus 1:15-16)
"While the affairs of the Hebrews were in this condition, there was this occasion offered itself to the Egyptians, which made them more solicitous for the extinction of our nation. One of those sacred scribes who are very sagacious in foretelling future events, truly told the king that about this time there would be a child born to the Israelites, who, if he were reared, would bring the Egyptian dominion low and would raise the Israelites that he would excel all men in virtue and obtain a glory that would be remembered through all ages, which thing was so feared by the king that according to this man's opinion, he commanded that they should cast every male child which was born to the Israelites into the river and destroy it. And they would do this by means of the midwives." (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 2.205)
"He shall slay the old and the young, and he shall not spare. Then the fear of him shall be bitter unto them in their land, and he shall execute judgments on them as the Egyptians executed upon them." (Assumption of Moses, Ch. 6)
"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of its roots." (Isaiah 11:1)
"Go back to Egypt, for all the men who are seeking your life are dead." (Exodus 4:19)
Discussion Questions
Katie highlights the contrasting responses to Jesus from the Magi and Herod. What do these differing reactions reveal about the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the inclusivity of the Gospel?
In what ways does the fleeing of the Holy Family to Egypt mirror the story of Moses? How does this parallel deepen our understanding of Jesus’ mission and identity?
Katie mentions that some non-Catholic historians argue against the historicity of the "slaughter of the innocents" due to a lack of historical record. What are the counter-arguments that support its plausibility, and how do the known evils of Herod help frame this discussion?
The episode discusses the significance of the phrase, “take the child and his mother” instead of “take your wife and son.” What implications does this wording have for our understanding of Jesus and Mary’s roles within the Davidic kingdom?
According to Katie, Egypt was a place of refuge for Jews throughout history. How does this historical and scriptural background inform our reading of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus’ time in Egypt?
How does the biblical motif of “exodus, exile, and return” play out in the life of Jesus, and why is it essential for interpreting Matthew’s Gospel?
The quotation “out of Egypt I called my son” is linked directly to the Hebrew version of Hosea 11:1. What does this detail reveal about Matthew’s approach to integrating Jewish scripture into his gospel?
What is the spiritual and geographic significance of Rachel’s weeping in the Gospel story? How does it tie together the themes of exile, loss, and hope?
Katie mentions the name Nazareth is associated with the Hebrew word “netzer,” meaning branch. Discuss the symbolism of the branch and its connection to the prophecy of Isaiah 11:1 in the context of Jesus’ early life.
Considering Herod’s violent and paranoid reputation, as detailed in the episode, how does understanding his historical character help us better interpret his role in the Gospel narrative and the message Matthew wants to convey?