The Massacre of the Innocents

Matthew 2:16–18

Works of art by Unknown artist, Unknown Byzantine artist [Rome or Milan], and Nicolas Poussin
Commentaries by Robin Jensen

Matthew 2:16–18

Bible passage (Revised Standard Version)

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, 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 which he had ascertained from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

18“A voice was heard in Ramah,

wailing and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be consoled,

because they were no more.”