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 2:16KJV
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Matthew 2:16 (KJV)

What does Matthew 2:16 mean?

Matthew 2:16 describes how King Herod, feeling deceived by the wise men who did not return to him, became extremely angry and ordered the killing of all boys in Bethlehem and the surrounding area who were two years old or younger, based on the timing he had learned from the wise men. This act was Herod’s attempt to eliminate the child he saw as a threat to his rule.

In this verse, Matthew is recounting a historical event where Herod, the ruler at the time of Jesus’ birth, reacts violently out of fear and anger. The wise men (Magi) had visited Jerusalem seeking the newborn “King of the Jews,” but after being warned in a dream, they did not report back to Herod. Herod’s decision to kill all young boys in Bethlehem shows the lengths he was willing to go to protect his throne, setting the stage for the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt.

The Greek behind Matthew 2:16

  • "ἐνεπαίχθη" (enepaichthē, G1702): This word is translated as "mocked" and carries the sense of being made a fool of or tricked. It highlights Herod’s feeling of being outwitted by the wise men, which fueled his extreme anger.
  • "σφόδρα" (sphodra, G3029): Translated as "exceeding," this word intensifies Herod’s anger, showing it was not just ordinary frustration but a very great rage.
  • "ἀνεῖλεν" (aneilen, G337): This verb means "slew" or "killed." The Greek here is direct and forceful, emphasizing the brutality of Herod’s command.
  • "παιδία" (paidia, G3816): This word means "children," specifically young boys in this context. The use of this word clarifies that the victims were very young, fitting the age Herod feared.

Why Matthew 2:16 matters

  • Matthew 2:16 clarifies the depth of Herod’s fear and ruthlessness, showing that his actions were not just political but also deeply personal and violent.
  • This verse connects directly to earlier verses where the wise men visit Jesus and to later verses where Joseph is warned to flee, tying together the narrative of Jesus’ early life and the dangers he faced.
  • Understanding the historical and emotional context of Herod’s actions helps explain why the family of Jesus had to escape to Egypt, fulfilling other prophecies and shaping the story of Jesus’ early years.

Where else these words appear

“enquired” Greek G198 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

“men” Greek G3097 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
  • Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

“Bethlehem” Greek G965 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

“coasts” Greek G3725 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Matthew 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
  • Mark 7:31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.