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The Slaughter of the Innocents (Matthew 2:16-23)

By Randy Neal

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.

17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18. In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her

children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Herod the Great lived from 73-4 B.C. He was the son of Antipater. Antipater had

two sons (Phasael and Herod). Antipater was granted Roman citizenship by Julius Caesar

for helping defeat the Ptolemys in Egypt. As a reward, Antipater and his two sons were

made rulers over Judea. After the death of Antipater by poisoning in 43 B.C., Mark Antony

made Phasael and Herod tetrarchs over Jude and Idumea. The Parthians invaded Judea and

drove them from power in 40 B.C. (Phasael was killed). Herod flees to Rome and

Aristobulus II takes control over Judea. Herod was proclaimed King of Judea by the Roman

senate in 40 B.C., but took him 3 years to defeat his rivals and ruled Judea from 37-4 B.C.

Herod is known for some great building projects. He built a great harbor in

Caesarea on the Sea, a great aqueduct, the temple in Jerusalem (see John 2:20), and several

summer palaces (such as Herodium near Bethlehem), Masada, and others). He is also

remembered for his great atrocities. He killed two of his sons (by Mariamne), his wife

Mariamne and her mother, a high priest, and several court officials. History even recorded

that he left in his will that, upon his death, several men were to be put to death so that

Judah would weep at his death (thankfully his wishes were not carried out). Augustus

Caesar once quipped that you would be better off being Herods pig rather than his son (a

play on words). The mad-man hears about the birth of a king (Matt. 2:1-2) from the magi.

Herod and all of Judea are troubled. They are told by Herod to go find Him, return and tell

him, so that he can go and worship the child. God warns the magi to return to their country

another way (Matt. 2:12). The angel of the Lord warns Joseph to flee to Egypt (Matt 2:12-15), a fulfillment of prophecy.

What can we learn from Herods slaughter of the innocents?

7/30/2019 The Slaughter of the Innocents

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