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According to Matthew's Gospel, King Herod ordered all the boys under two years old in and around Bethlehem to be killed, an event now known to theologians as the "Slaughter of the Innocents". Jesus survived because his family fled to Egypt soon after his birth.
According to Luke's Gospel, Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to be presented at the Temple, just a few weeks after his birth, and then returned home peacefully to Nazareth. If Matthew's account contains any truth, Jesus would have been in extreme danger by being taken to Jerusalem, since this is exactly what Herod would have known his parents would do. Since the young family clearly does not go to Egypt, it is clear that the author of Luke did not believe that Herod slaughtered the innocents.
King Herod was extremely unpopular among the Jews, first because he was imposed on them by the Romans, secondly because he was not really a Jew, and thirdly because he worshipped the Roman gods while in Caesarea. It can be expected that the Jewish historian, Josephus would have reported any unsavoury conduct by Herod that was known to him, yet he was silent on the supposed "Slaughter of the Innocents".
John Shelby Spong (Born of a Woman: A Bishop Rethinks the Birth of Jesus) says that Matthew was clearly writing Christian midrash. Matthew's story of Herod killing the innocents was intended to draw a parallel between Jesus and Moses, who also luckily escaped the slaughter of the young boys under two years old.
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Where did the number 14000 innocents killed by Herod come from?
AnswerThe Christian tradition that King herod slaughtered 14,000 infants in and around Bethlehem is taught by many religious leaders. But this did not come from history; Matthew's Gospel does not give us this figure; the story of the Slaughter of the Innocents is not even mentioned in Luke's Gospel; and it was unknown to the Jewish historian Josephus. The slaughter of 14,000 boys under 2 years old, in and around the small town of Bethlehem, even defies logic, because it implies the population of a major city. It is more reasonable to say that it comes from a Christian desire to portray Herod as so evil that he killed such an astonishing number of innocents. The facts are that there was no Slaughter of the Innocents.
Where in the Bible is the story of the birth of Jesus found?
In the new testament - at the start of Luke's Gospel and Matthew's Gospel. Luke tells the story of the shepherds, angels and the details surroding the birth. Matthew tells of the Wise men, the star of Bethlehem and the slaughter of the innocents by Herod.
Why was King Herod known as Herod the Great?
Herod's sons, particularly Antipas, were also at times known as 'Herod', but each only ruled a small part of Herod's original kingdom. Because of his military conquests and to avoid confusion, the elder King Herod is known as King Herod the Great.
How many children did King Herod have?
Phasael, who was ruler of Jerusalem while Herod ruled Galilee. Joseph, a general in Herod's army who is killed in battle. And Pheroras, who Herod banishes after much trouble. Also a sister named Salome.
What is the name of Herod's son?
Why is this in the farming section? Why is this in the farming section?
Who are the Holy Innocents?
The Holy Innocents are the children who were killed by King Herod in his attempt to kill the baby Jesus. They are regarded as martyrs by the Christian church for their innocence and are commemorated in the Feast of the Holy Innocents on December 28th.
What are the names of the Holy Innocents?
The names of the Holy Innocents are not specifically recorded in the Bible. They are known collectively as the infants who were killed by King Herod in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus as described in the Gospel of Matthew.
Who kill John Baptist?
Herod son
What saint is celebrated on the 28th of December?
The Holy Innocents are commemorated on December 28'Th,
What is the name of the youngest saint?
The Holy Innocents(the boys 2 & under who were murdered by Herod the Great) are perhaps, the youngest Saints ever.
Why did Herod wait to kill all the male children?
A:In Matthew's Gospel, King Herod feared that Jesus was a threat to his throne, because the magi said that a child was born who would become king of the Jews. He therefore had all the infant boys slaughtered. The author of Luke's Gospel was entirely unaware of the threat to Jesus or the Slaughter of the Innocents that followed, since he had the young family travel into danger at Jerusalem rather than fleeing to Egypt. He also described Mary and Joseph travelling to Jerusalem each year for the Passover, once again placing Jesus in danger if indeed such danger existed. The first century Jewish historian, Josephus, who recounted everything he knew to the detriment of Herod, never mentions the Slaughter of the Innocents. For these and other reasons, New Testament scholars say that King Herod did not really kill the infant boys.
Who sent soldiers to kill Jesus?
No one...that is, when He was an adult. However, when He was a child, King Herod sent soldiers to the town where He was reported to be living and had them kill all the male children two years old and under in an effort to kill Jesus. Jesus and His family escaped, and the tragic "Slaughter of the Innocents" failed in its attempt to snuff out Jesus' life.
Where did the number 14000 innocents killed by Herod come from?
AnswerThe Christian tradition that King herod slaughtered 14,000 infants in and around Bethlehem is taught by many religious leaders. But this did not come from history; Matthew's Gospel does not give us this figure; the story of the Slaughter of the Innocents is not even mentioned in Luke's Gospel; and it was unknown to the Jewish historian Josephus. The slaughter of 14,000 boys under 2 years old, in and around the small town of Bethlehem, even defies logic, because it implies the population of a major city. It is more reasonable to say that it comes from a Christian desire to portray Herod as so evil that he killed such an astonishing number of innocents. The facts are that there was no Slaughter of the Innocents.
How many babies did Herod kill?
According to the Bible, Herod ordered the killing of all male infants in Bethlehem, an event known as the Massacre of the Innocents. The exact number of babies killed is not specified in historical records, but it is believed to have been a relatively small number due to Bethlehem's size at the time.
What saint's feast day is December 28?
December 28 is the feast of the Holy Innocents, the babies murdered by King Herod when he was searching for the Christ Child.
Why did king herod kill the first born male in Bethlehem?
herod did it so that no one could overthrow him in his throne
How is the feast of the holy innocents celebrated?
The day is observed as a feast day especially in roman Catholic Churches. The day is set aside to commemorate the massacre of the children by King Herod
