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Book of Matthew - Chapter 2 - Verse 16

2:16
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

Meaning

After the wise men had visited the baby Jesus and presented him with gifts, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, who had asked to be informed of the child's whereabouts under the pretense of worshiping him. When Herod realized he had been deceived, he became furious and ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas who were two years old and younger. This horrific event, known as the Massacre of the Innocents, fulfilled the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15 which describes the mourning of Rachel for her children. The ruthless actions of Herod were driven by fear of losing his throne to a new king, showing the extent of his brutality and paranoia. Despite this tragedy, God's plan to bring salvation to the world through Jesus Christ could not be thwarted, as the family of Jesus escaped to Egypt until Herod's death. The massacre serves as a dark reminder of the evil that can be unleashed when those in power seek to maintain their control at any cost.

Theological Overview

Herod's violent response to the news of the birth of Jesus as told in Matthew 2:16 is a stark reminder of the darker side of human nature when faced with threats to power and authority. The theological interpretation of this event highlights the contrast between the goodness of Jesus, who came to bring salvation and hope to the world, and the cruelty of Herod, who sought to eliminate any potential rival to his rule. The word "wroth" used to describe Herod's anger signifies not just anger, but a violent and intense wrath that resulted in the massacre of innocent children. This tragic event serves as a sobering example of the lengths to which those in positions of power may go to maintain control, even at the expense of innocent lives. It also underscores the importance of recognizing and resisting the destructive forces of greed, ambition, and fear that can lead to such horrific acts of violence. Ultimately, this passage points to the contrast between the darkness of human sinfulness and the light of God's redemptive love as revealed in the birth of Jesus.

American Standard Version

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.
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