What year did King Herod order the killing of baby Jewish boys?

Answer 1

A:The works of the first-century Jewish historian, Josephus, would seem to be the best resource for this. Josephus, like most first-century Jews, hated King Herod and would have written anything he could to further undermine the reputation of Herod. Yet, strangely, Josephus is completely silent on this one subject. Luke's Gospel is not only silent on the deaths, but seems to preclude the account altogether.

The reason for this is clear. Most biblical scholars regard Matthew's story of Herod's Slaughter of the Innocents as a fiction written to draw a parallel between Jesus and Moses, with Herod killing the baby boys under two years old just as the pharaoh had killed the baby boys under two years old in earlier times.

A:It is accepted to have taken place in 2 B.C.

Answer 2

Matthew 2:16..."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 younger, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men". KJV.