Understanding Jewish forms of interpretation is critical to correctly interpreting the prophetical statements of Matthew 2:12-23. In the final pericope of Matthew 2, three crises are presented — the threat from Herod the Great, the massacre of the innocent, and the threat from Archelaus. Each crisis is presented with the Messianic Child as the central figure. Hence, Matthew 2:13-23 presents the Messianic Crisis.
