Matthew 2:16

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.

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.

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, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 28:15

    As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 17:6

    And 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.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 3:19–20

    Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 28:17

    A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 3:13

    Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 8:12

    And 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.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 49:7

    Cursed 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.

    Read in context