Matthew 2 16

Matthew 2:16 kjv

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.

Matthew 2:16 nkjv

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

Matthew 2:16 niv

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Matthew 2:16 esv

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Matthew 2:16 nlt

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men's report of the star's first appearance.

Matthew 2 verses

Matthew 2 16 Meaning

Herod, having been deceived by the Magi, reacted with intense fury and commanded the slaughter of all male infants in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas, specifically those aged two years and under. This age range was determined by the time frame the Magi had provided regarding the star's appearance. This ruthless act reveals Herod's paranoia and attempts to eliminate the perceived threat to his throne by destroying the newborn "King of the Jews."

Matthew 2 16 Context

Matthew chapter 2 recounts the events following Jesus' birth: the arrival of the Magi seeking the newborn "King of the Jews," Herod's initial feigned interest and subsequent cunning attempt to use them, the divine warning to the Magi not to return to Herod, and Jesus' miraculous escape to Egypt. Verse 16 directly results from the Magi defying Herod's command. Historically, Herod the Great was an Idumaean client king under Roman rule, renowned for his monumental building projects and his ruthless paranoia, exemplified by his extermination of perceived threats to his reign, including members of his own family. The massacre of the infants in Bethlehem fits perfectly within his known character and tyrannical rule, acting upon his profound fear of any potential challenge to his sovereignty.

Matthew 2 16 Word analysis

• Then Herod: (Ἡρῴδης, Hērōdēs) Refers to Herod the Great, the Roman client king of Judea. He was known for his political acumen, vast building projects, and extreme paranoia leading to acts of brutal cruelty.
• when he saw: Implies a realization and direct understanding of the situation. Herod clearly perceived he had been outmaneuvered.
• that he was mocked: (ἐνεπαίχθη, enepaikhthē - from empaizō) Meaning to be tricked, made a fool of, or deceived. This was not a minor inconvenience for Herod but a direct insult to his authority and intelligence, triggering his rage.
• by the wise men: The Magi, foreigners from the East. Their actions (not returning to him) directly thwarted his sinister plan.
• was exceedingly wroth: (ἐλυπήθη λίαν, elupēthē lian) Literally "was greatly grieved" or "deeply distressed," but in the context of Herod, it conveys intense fury, indignation, and explosive rage at his foiled deception and humiliation. His anger was disproportionate, leading to horrific actions.
• and sent forth: Signifies an immediate and decisive command or delegation to his soldiers.
• and slew: (ἀνεῖλεν, aneilen - from anaireō) A strong verb meaning to take away, destroy, kill, or slay. Emphasizes the brutal, non-negotiable nature of the command.
• all the male children: Specifies the target demographic. Not just some, but "all," indicating a systematic extermination of all potential threats.
• that were in Bethlehem: The precise location, Bethlehem, Jesus' prophesied birthplace (Mic 5:2), and the city where the Magi found Him.
• and in all the coasts thereof: (πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῆς, pasin tois horiois autēs) Refers to the surrounding regions, territories, or districts of Bethlehem, indicating the extent of the purge beyond just the immediate town.
• from two years old and under: (ἀπὸ διετοῦς καὶ κατωτέρω, apo dietous kai katōterō) The specific age range. This was derived from Herod's "diligent inquiry" from the Magi about when the star first appeared, allowing for a margin of error to ensure the newborn king's destruction. This also gives a timeframe for Jesus' approximate age at the time of the flight to Egypt.
• according to the time: Refers to the duration since the star's initial appearance, which Herod had determined.
• which he had diligently inquired: (ἠκρίβωσεν, ēkribōsen - from akriboō) Indicates a precise, accurate, or careful investigation. Herod was meticulous in extracting this information from the Magi to ensure his horrifying plan would be effective.

• "Herod... was exceedingly wroth": Highlights the personal, visceral rage of a despot whose authority and intelligence were publicly challenged. This wrath fuels the horrific act.
• "slew all the male children... from two years old and under": This phrase underlines the calculated and indiscriminate nature of Herod's cruelty. The focus on "male children" points directly to eliminating a male heir/king, and the "two years old and under" indicates his cold determination to encompass any potential candidate, based on the timeframe the Magi gave him.

Matthew 2 16 Bonus section

• The event known as the "Massacre of the Innocents" serves as a stark early example of the world's hatred and opposition to Christ, foreshadowing the continuous rejection He would face throughout His ministry, ultimately leading to His crucifixion.
• The careful wording of Herod's actions – "diligently inquired" and the precise age range – underscores the reality of his fear and the premeditated nature of the atrocity. This was not a spontaneous outburst but a deliberate attempt to achieve his aim.
• Though often omitted from non-Christian historical records due to Bethlehem's small size (making the number of slain infants comparatively small by Roman standards, thus not noteworthy for broader historical chroniclers), it is perfectly consistent with Herod's well-documented brutal character, as noted by historians like Josephus, who recounted his similar murderous actions.
• This act can be seen as an early spiritual battle, with the forces of darkness, symbolized by Herod, attempting to eliminate the source of light and salvation. However, God's protection for His Son demonstrates His ultimate triumph over evil.

Matthew 2 16 Commentary

Matthew 2:16 unveils the sheer depth of Herod the Great's depravity and paranoia, reacting to perceived deceit with horrific vengeance. The "massacre of the innocents" is not merely an act of arbitrary cruelty but a desperate, calculating attempt by a worldly ruler to eradicate the divine King who posed a spiritual and temporal threat to his authority. Herod's rage stemmed from his ego and the thwarting of his insidious plan to locate Jesus through the Magi. His systematic slaughter of young male children in Bethlehem, specifically targeting the age range the Magi indicated, was designed to ensure the death of the prophesied Messiah. Yet, despite his cunning and immense power, Herod's evil plot was ultimately futile, as God's divine providence protected Jesus through Joseph and Mary's timely escape to Egypt, fulfilling prophetic Scripture and demonstrating that no human power can derail God's sovereign plan of redemption. This verse underscores the pervasive darkness that the Light of the World was born into and the constant opposition Jesus faced from His very beginning.