Matthew 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 enquired of the wise men.
Original Language Analysis
Τότε
Then
G5119
Τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 37
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ἰδὼν
when he saw
G1492
ἰδὼν
when he saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 37
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 37
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
6 of 37
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μάγων
the wise men
G3097
μάγων
the wise men
Strong's:
G3097
Word #:
8 of 37
a magian (magi), i.e., oriental scientist; by implication, a magician
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποστείλας
sent forth
G649
ἀποστείλας
sent forth
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
12 of 37
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
ἀνεῖλεν
and slew
G337
ἀνεῖλεν
and slew
Strong's:
G337
Word #:
13 of 37
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παῖδας
the children
G3816
παῖδας
the children
Strong's:
G3816
Word #:
16 of 37
a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a child; specially, a slave or servant (especially a minister to a
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Βηθλεὲμ
Bethlehem
G965
Βηθλεὲμ
Bethlehem
Strong's:
G965
Word #:
19 of 37
bethleem (i.e., beth-lechem), a place in palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁρίοις
the coasts
G3725
ὁρίοις
the coasts
Strong's:
G3725
Word #:
24 of 37
a boundary-line, i.e., (by implication) a frontier (region)
αὐτῆς
thereof
G846
αὐτῆς
thereof
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 37
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
26 of 37
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατὰ
according
G2596
κατὰ
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
30 of 37
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρόνον
to the time
G5550
χρόνον
to the time
Strong's:
G5550
Word #:
32 of 37
a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
33 of 37
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
παρὰ
of
G3844
παρὰ
of
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
35 of 37
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
Cross References
Isaiah 59:7Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.Revelation 17:6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.Isaiah 26:21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.Proverbs 28:15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.Genesis 49:7Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.Hosea 10:14Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.2 Kings 8:12And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.Daniel 3:13Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.Judges 16:10And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
Historical Context
Bethlehem was a small village, so the number killed (likely 20-30 infants) wasn't massive by ancient standards, explaining why secular historians didn't record it. However, it was characteristic of Herod's paranoid brutality. He died shortly after this atrocity.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Herod's massacre reveal about the human heart apart from God's restraining grace?
- How does this passage illustrate the world's ongoing hostility toward Christ and His people?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Herod's infanticide reveals the depth of human depravity and the hatred earthly kingdoms have for God's kingdom. This massacre demonstrates how sin, unchecked, leads to monstrous evil—even murdering innocent children to preserve power. Yet God's sovereign purposes prevailed; Christ was preserved. This atrocity also prefigures the world's ongoing hostility to Christ and His people.