Children Murdered in the Vicinity of Bethlehem

Prophecy (586-570 B.C.)

This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more.”  Jeremiah 31:15 (NIV)

Fulfillment

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under . . . then the [prophecy] was fulfilled.  Matthew 2:16-4:1 (NIV)

Comment

Through the prophet Jeremiah, 586 – 570 B.C., God indicated that some of Israel’s children would be murdered at the coming of the Messiah. Josephus indicates in his writings which are recorded in the Antiquities of the Jews. 17.6.5 that this event did occur. Also, Macrobius quotes Augustus Caesar that a slaughter of children occurred in Jerusalem.,

On hearing that the son of Herod, king of the Jews, had been slain when Herod ordered that all boys in Syria under the age of two to be killed, Augustus said, “It’s better to be Herod’s pig, than his son” (dicta 56 Malc.)[1]

Therefore, we can conclude that this prophecy did occur near the time of Jesus’ birth,

Reference:

1. Ambrosius Theodosius Macrobius, Saturnalia, Book 2, section 4:11. p. 349.

Related References:

Are there any secular references to Herod killing babies under the age of two?