“When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt” – Matt. 2:14
At this time every year, the claim that Jesus was a refugee makes its rounds.
The claim is not historically accurate.
Jesus was not a refugee.
The reference is to Joseph and Mary’s flight into Egypt (Matt. 2:13–23). The idea is implied that they were seeking political sanctuary/asylum.
However, Egypt was part of the Roman Empire.
Like traveling from Texas to California, both are under the jurisdiction of the United States. They were not entering or leaving illegally in any shape or form.
This claim is used to equate the birth of Jesus with the current illegal immigration debate. It’s also used to guilt and shame Christians by using the Bible against a Christian.
Mary and Joseph were fleeing a Godless unbeliever who was slaughtering innocent babies. That sounds more familiar to today.
Image ref: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egypt_(Roman_province)
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