Although Jesus would face more persecution in his adult years, Herod's death granted him a time of relative respite until his public ministry. Although Matthew mentions Herod's murder of the children, he notes Herod's own death three times-indicating that God alone holds the ultimate power of life and death (Patte 1987:36). Every unjust empire in history has ultimately fallen, but God's church continues to endure (Rev 18:1-3; 19:1-3). To oppressed Christians, whether persecuted for their faith (Mt 10:22; 1 Pet 4:13-14) or repressed for other unjust reasons (Mt 5:39-41; Jas 5:1-7), this reminder of the oppressors' mortality is a reminder that all trials are temporary and our loving Father remains in control (Mt 10:28-31; see also 1 Pet 5:10).

The angelic orders to return to the land of Israel because those seeking the child's life were dead (2:19-21) explicitly recall Exodus 4:19-20. Jewish readers would have immediately recognized the allusion: like Moses, Jesus had outlived his persecutor and would lead his people to salvation (Mt 1:21; Acts 7:35).