THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS
Herod the First also known as Herod the Great was also called King of the Jews. He is identified in the Gospel of Matthew. Upon hearing from the Magi, (Wise Men) that they came to visit the one who had been born King of the Jews, Herod was terribly alarmed since he knew of no other one who carried the title king of the Jews. Someone who bore his title was a threat to his rule as this was his title.
Herod called the scribes and determined that, according to prophecy, the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. As the magi left for Bethlehem to find the Messiah, Herod asked them to report back to him with the location of the newborn King “so that I too may go and worship him” (Matthew 2:8).
Of course, Herod had no such intentions. The magi found Jesus and worshiped Him, presenting their gifts to Him, but they were then warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod. When Herod realized that the Magi have not reported back to him, he was furious and called for the slaughter of all the boys up to two years old in Bethlehem and the surrounding area, hoping to end the life of any potential rival.
God warned Joseph to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. Jesus was not harmed; however, there was a great slaughter of the innocents in and around Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16–18).
Such is Herod’s bloody, ruthless, legacy. He was a murderous paranoiac who ordered the execution of his perceived potential political rivals like the killing of his brother in law, his wife, High Priest and members of the San Hedrin. For Herod to order the killing of innocent children in Bethlehem is not out of his character.
Herod the Great was an ambitious and ruthless ruler who set himself in opposition to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
So I don't understand why we make jokes based on this bloody history.
