Knowing The Word in Matthew 2:16-18

Herod Kills the Children

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious [in his later years Herod killed three of his own sons, seeing them as rivals], and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. [It is thought Bethlehem’s population at the time was between 300 and 1000, meaning the maximum number of boys killed would be 20 or less, making it a rather minor story in a violent time.] 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah [31:15]:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

[This reference is to captives being taken into exile. The following verses in Jeremiah reassure Rachel that her lost children will return. Perhaps Matthew intends for us to see that Bethlehem’s mourning will be temporary, that God will bring blessing through Bethlehem’s Messiah. Matthew uses this text not so much for geographical purposes but that bereavement is a prelude to blessing in the life of Jesus and in the life of God’s people.]