Matthew 2:16
14 So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt,
15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.
17 Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.
- 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.
- WEB
- Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.
- ASV
- Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.
- DARBY
- Then Herod, seeing that he had been mocked by the magi, was greatly enraged; and sent and slew all the boys which [were] in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years and under, according to the time which he had accurately inquired from the magi.
- BLB
- Then Herod, having seen that he was mocked by the Magi, was exceedingly enraged. And having sent forth, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and in all its borders from two years old and under, according to the time that he learned exactly from the Magi.
- ÅB
- Da Herodes skjønte at han hadde blitt narret av vismennene, ble han svært sint. Og han sendte ut en befaling om at alle guttebarn i Betlehem og landet omkring skulle drepes. Alle som var under to år gamle, etter den tiden han hadde utspurt fra vismennene.
- OTB
- Da Herodes innså at han var blitt lurt av vismennene, ble han rasende, og han sendte ut ordre om å drepe alle guttebarn i Betlehem og omegn som var to år gamle og yngre, i henhold til den tiden han hadde fått vite av vismennene.
- B1930
- Da Herodes nu så at han var blitt narret av vismennene, blev han meget vred, og han sendte bud og lot drepe alle de guttebarn som var i Betlehem og alt landet deromkring, fra to år og derunder, efter den tid han nøie hadde utspurt av vismennene.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Isaiah 59:7
Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake.
Read in contextProverbs 28:15
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
Read in contextRevelation 17:6
I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
Read in contextDaniel 3:19–20
At this, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual,
Read in contextProverbs 28:17
A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
Read in contextDaniel 3:13
Then Nebuchadnezzar, furious with rage, summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
Read in context2 Kings 8:12
“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”
Read in contextGenesis 49:7
Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.
Read in context