Through the wise men, God had called the attention of the Jewish nation to the birth of His Son. Their inquiries in Jerusalem, the popular interest excited, and even the jealousy of Herod, which compelled the attention of the priests and rabbis, directed minds to the prophecies concerning the Messiah, and to the great event that had just taken place.

På samme måde fik Josef en advarsel om, at han skulle flygte til Ægypten sammen med Maria og barnet. Og engelen sagde: "Bliv der, indtil jeg siger dig til; thi Herodes vil søge efter barnet for at dræbe det." Josef adlød uden tøven og drog af sted om natten for at være mere sikker.