What is more, Jesus and Moses are the objects of those seeking the life of the child (2.20). In both stories a child who is to be the agent of salvation has an attempt made on his life; in both this is done by a tyrannical king; in both other innocent children die as a result; in both the king’s attempt is thwarted; and in both the child who is to bring salvation is himself saved. In all these ways the details of the birth narrative adumbrate what is to be a major motif for Matthew – Jesus is the new and greater Moses.2
