Keraia
Matthew 2

Matthew 2:16

Weeping and Great Mourning · Matthew 2:16–18
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Translations

Modern
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.
Traditional
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 enquired of the wise men.
Literal
Then Herod, having seen that he was mocked by the Magi, was exceedingly enraged. And having sent forth, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and in all its borders from two years old and under, according to the time that he learned exactly from the Magi.
Latin
Tunc Herodes videns quoniam illusus esset a magis, iratus est valde, et mittens occidit omnes pueros, qui erant in Bethlehem, et in omnibus finibus ejus, a bimatu et infra secundum tempus, quod exquisierat a magis.

Original

Greek
English
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.

Notes

Matthew 2:16

  • Put to death all the boys: Herod was famous for his cruelty. He even killed his own son to protect his throne. This led to the saying, “It is safer to be Herod’s pig [Greek hus] than his son [Greek huios].” This is because Herod followed Jewish kosher laws.

  • two years old and under: Herod estimated the child's age based on the wise men’s report.

Matthew 1:1–2:23

This story shows how certain parts of the life of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. This includes:

  • his family history and birth (chapter 1), and

  • the places he lived as a child (chapter 2).

The story also shows how efforts to stop the plan of God do not work (2:1–15; see also 27:62–66).

Events

Parallels

Jeremiah 31:1–25

People

Herod: The Great, Roman-appointed king of Judea during Jesus' birth

Places

Bethlehem: City of David's birth and Jesus' birth

Glossary

Astrology Bethlehem Census Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Egypt, Egyptian Gospel of Matthew Magi Messiah Moses Slaughter of the Innocents

Topics

Anger: Herod, Toward the Wise Men Who Deceived Him Anger: Sinful: Herod Baby Jesus Bethlehem: A City Southwest of Jerusalem: Herod Murders the Infants of Children: Edict to Murder of Herod Egypt: The Country of: Joseph Takes Jesus To Homicide: Felonious: Herod the Great Infanticide: General Scriptures Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Flight Into and Return from Egypt King Herod Miracles: Catalogue of The Deliverance of Jesus Modern Judea: Towns of Bethlehem Murder: The Herods Prophecies Respecting Christ: The Slaying of the Children of Bethlehem: Fulfilled Rulers: Wicked: Herod the Great, Killing the Infants in Bethlehem