Joseph, who was still in Egypt, was now bidden by an angel of God to return to the land of Israel. Regarding Jesus as the heir of David's throne, Joseph desired to make his home in Bethlehem; but learning that Archelaus reigned in Judea in his father's stead, he feared that the father's designs against Christ might be carried out by the son. Of all the sons of Herod, Archelaus most resembled him in character. Already his succession to the government had been marked by a tumult in Jerusalem, and the slaughter of thousands of Jews by the Roman guards.

Josef, som stadig boede i Ægypten, fik nu af en Herrens engel befaling til at vende tilbage til Israels land. Da Josef betragtede Jesus som arving til Davids trone, var det hans hensigt at bosætte sig i Betlehem; men da han fik at vide, at Arkelaus regerede i Judæa i sin faders sted, blev han bange for, at faderens anslag mod Kristus muligvis kunne blive bragt til udførelse af hans søn. Af alle Herodes' sønner var Arkelaus den, der lignede ham mest i karakter. Hans overtagelse af regeringen var allerede blevet betegnet ved en opstand i Jerusalem og myrderier af tusinder af jøder ved hjælp af de romerske soldater.