King James Version

What Does Matthew 2:16 Mean?

Matthew 2:16 in the King James Version says “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the childr... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

14

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Herod's massacre reveal about the human heart apart from God's restraining grace?
  2. How does this passage illustrate the world's ongoing hostility toward Christ and His people?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 37 words
Τότε1 of 37

Then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

Ἡρῴδης2 of 37

Herod

G2264

heroic; herod, the name of four jewish kings

ἰδὼν3 of 37

when he saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι4 of 37

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐνεπαίχθη5 of 37

he was mocked

G1702

to jeer at, i.e., deride

ὑπὸ6 of 37

of

G5259

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 (

τῶν7 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μάγων8 of 37

the wise men

G3097

a magian (magi), i.e., oriental scientist; by implication, a magician

ἐθυμώθη9 of 37

wroth

G2373

to put in a passion, i.e., enrage

λίαν10 of 37

was exceeding

G3029

much (adverbially)

καὶ11 of 37

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποστείλας12 of 37

sent forth

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

ἀνεῖλεν13 of 37

and slew

G337

to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder

πᾶσιν14 of 37

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τοὺς15 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παῖδας16 of 37

the children

G3816

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

τοὺς17 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν18 of 37

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Βηθλεὲμ19 of 37

Bethlehem

G965

bethleem (i.e., beth-lechem), a place in palestine

καὶ20 of 37

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν21 of 37

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

πᾶσιν22 of 37

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τοῖς23 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὁρίοις24 of 37

the coasts

G3725

a boundary-line, i.e., (by implication) a frontier (region)

αὐτῆς25 of 37

thereof

G846

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

ἀπὸ26 of 37

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

διετοῦς27 of 37

two years old

G1332

of two years (in age)

καὶ28 of 37

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κατωτέρω29 of 37

under

G2736

downwards

κατὰ30 of 37

according

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τὸν31 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χρόνον32 of 37

to the time

G5550

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

ὃν33 of 37

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἠκρίβωσεν34 of 37

he had diligently enquired

G198

to be exact, i.e., ascertain

παρὰ35 of 37

of

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τῶν36 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μάγων37 of 37

the wise men

G3097

a magian (magi), i.e., oriental scientist; by implication, a magician


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 2:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 2:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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