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King James Version (KJV)
“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody
Scripture focus
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.
Matthew 2:16 — KJV
Mocked. They had “tricked” him. He felt that they had outwitted him and made a fool of him. Herod took this as an insult, and doubtless as further proof of a deep and dark plot against him.
Slew all the children. Probably only the male children. Critics of the accuracy of the Bible record observe that Josephus, in his lengthy record of atrocities committed by Herod, makes no mention of the slaughter of the infants of Bethlehem. It has been estimated, however, that in a small town whose population was probably no more than about 2,000, including its surrounding districts, there would have been only about 50 or 60 children of the age indicated, and only half that many males. Some estimate the number slightly higher. Josephus might have considered the incident relatively minor when compared with the long catalogue of more heinous crimes of Herod that he does mention. A deed such as this accords well with the callous character of Herod. It was one of the last acts of his life (DA 66). Furthermore, should Josephus mention this evil deed he would be expected to account for it, as he does at length with similar events he does record. This might involve a discussion of the Messianic claims of Jesus of Nazareth, a subject which, as a Jew, he might choose to avoid. And, inasmuch as he was writing an apology of Judaism for the Romans, particularly for the emperor Vespasian, he would avoid mentioning anything that might antagonize Rome. See pp. 75, 76, 94.
Coasts. Literally, “borders,” hence, “regions.” In Old English, “coast” meant “frontier,” or “border.”
Two years old. According to Oriental reckoning, which still survives in some areas, a child is called “one year old” in its first calendar year, that is, between its birth and the next New Year’s Day; and “two years old” in its second calendar year — even if it had lived only a few days or weeks. If the Jews of Christ’s time counted age thus, by calendar years, it is not necessary to suppose that He was born two years before Herod died, or even that Herod, in order to make sure of his objective, set the “two-year” age limit beyond the time indicated by the wise men (Matt. 2:7). A child born at any time in 5/4 B.C. would be “two years old” in 4/3 B.C., the year of Herod’s death. As to the probable time of Jesus’ birth, see pp. 240-242.
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