Return of the Holy Family from Egypt Poster

The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt (17th century) by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo The Holy Family is said to have fled to Egypt, where King Herod could exert no political powers and consequently, would not be able to harm baby Jesus. The Holy Family, including St. Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and the child Jesus, fled to Egypt to escape a massacre of boys 2 years old and younger ordered by Herod. They travelled over 1,200 miles from Israel to Egypt. After Herod died, an angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and told him to return to Palestine. The Holy Family journeyed back to Palestine, after spending over three years in Egypt. The Holy Family returned to their old town of Nazareth rather than returning to Bethlehem.