Luke 2:39

“And when they had performed all things, etc.] Relating to the purification of Mary, and the presentation and redemption of her firstborn, and the sacrifices and ceremonies belonging thereunto: according to the law of the Lord; which that directed to, and enjoined: they returned into Galilee: not that they came from thence to Jerusalem, but from Bethlehem, where Mary gave birth, and her time for purification was now just expired: nor did they go now directly to Galilee; or, if they did, they soon came back again to Bethlehem, since here the wise men found them two years after; when by a divine warning, they went into Egypt, where they remained till Herod's death, and after came into the land…”

“Nothing is more difficult than to fix the precise order in which the visit of the Magi, with the flight into and return from Egypt (Mat 2:13-23), are to be taken, in relation to the circumcision and presentation of Christ in the temple, here recorded. It is perhaps best to leave this in the obscurity in which we find it, as the result of two independent, though if we knew all, easily reconcilable narratives.”

“They returned into Galilee - Not immediately, but after a time. Luke has omitted the flight into Egypt recorded by Matthew; but he has not denied it, nor are his words to be pressed as if he meant to affirm that they went immediately to Nazareth. A parallel case we have in the life of Paul. When he was converted it is said that he came to Jerusalem, as if he had gone there immediately after his conversion Acts 9:26; yet we learn in another place that this was after an interval of three years, Galatians 1:17-18. In the case before us there is no improbability in supposing that they returned to Bethlehem, then went to Egypt, and then to Galilee. return to 'Top of Page'”

“performed: Luk 2:21-24, Luk 1:6; Deu 12:32; Mat 3:15; Gal 4:4, Gal 4:5 they returned: Luk 2:4; Mat 2:22, Mat 2:23 Nazareth: Nazareth, now Nassara, was a small town of Zebulun, in Lower Galilee, according to Eusebius, fifteen miles east of Legio, near mount Tabor, and, according to D'Arvieux, about eight leagues, or according to Maundrell, seven hours, or about twenty miles se of Acre. It is one of the principal towns of the pashalic of Acre, containing a population of about 3,000 souls, of whom 500 are Turks, the remainder being Christians. It is delightfully situated on elevated ground, in a valley, encompassed by mountains. Luke 2:40”