Matthew 2:22 states that Joseph was afraid to go to Judea because Archelaus was reigning there, so he withdrew to Galilee. Skeptics ask why Galilee would be considered more secure, since another son of Herod (Antipas) was reigning there.

This assumes that all Herodian rulers were exactly alike in temperament. Historical records indicate that Archelaus was exceedingly cruel, tyrannical, and unstable, executing thousands of Jews early in his reign, which led to him being deposed by Rome fairly quickly. Antipas, ruling in Galilee, while still a Herodian, was considered a more capable, stable, and less indiscriminately brutal administrator who ruled for a considerable period.